Senior Product Development Mgr- Digital Inkjet

Wikoff; Fort Mill (SC); On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

401(k)

Stock ownership plan

Career development

Job summary

Wikoff, a long‑standing, employee‑owned company, seeks a Senior Product Development Manager to lead the research, formulation, development, commercialization, and continuous improvement of its digital inks and related technologies. You will guide a multidisciplinary team and collaborate with Sales, Marketing, Manufacturing, and Operations to drive innovative, commercially successful solutions.

The role requires 10+ years of formulation experience in digital inks or specialty chemicals, plus 5+

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Polymer Science, or related discipline required.
• Master’s or Ph.D. preferred.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute the Digital Product Development technology roadmap.
• Lead formulation, validation, commercialization, and continuous improvement projects.
• Evaluate emerging raw materials and technologies to improve performance, sustainability, and cost.
• Direct laboratory best practices, documentation, and technical standards.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
• Translate customer and market requirements into commercially viable products.
• Lead product trials, scale-up, and manufacturing transfer activities.
• Support product launches and lifecycle management.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives for product performance and manufacturability.
• Lead, coach, mentor, and develop Product Development personnel.
• Establish departmental goals, KPIs, and individual development plans.
• Promote a culture of innovation, safety, accountability, and collaboration.
• Manage laboratory resources and departmental budgets.
• Support strategic customer visits and technical presentations.
• Provide technical expertise for complex customer and manufacturing issues.
• Represent Wikoff at industry conferences and supplier meetings.
• Partner with Sales, Marketing, Manufacturing, Quality, Procurement, Operations, and Technical Service teams.
• Share market intelligence and support strategic business planning.

Skills

Leadership

Project management

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Polymer Science, or related discipline

Master’s or Ph.D. preferred

Job description

In 1989, Wikoff’s first continual improvement department was established, adopting a Total Quality Management approach. Over the years, the department has matured and expanded its vision to include not only oversight of the quality management system, but also training programs and employee safety while adopting other improvement methodologies such as lean and six sigma.

Position Overview

At Wikoff, we’re proud to be employee‑owned, which means every team member has a stake in our success. We believe in building a workplace where people feel valued, empowered, and invested in the future.

Wikoff delivers the products, support, and expertise our customers need to succeed across the printing, packaging, industrial, and adjacent markets. As a full‑service solutions provider, we offer a comprehensive portfolio of inks, coatings, adhesives, specialty chemicals, photopolymer technologies, processing equipment, imaging software, hardware, and related consumables.

The Senior Product Development Manager provides strategic and technical leadership for the research, formulation, development, commercialization, and continuous improvement of Wikoff Digital’s inkjet inks, primers, coatings, and related technologies. This position leads a multidisciplinary Product Development team responsible for Energy‑Curable, Water‑Based, and Solvent‑Based formulations supporting Piezo, Thermal Inkjet (TIJ), Drop‑on‑Demand (DOD), and Continuous Inkjet (CIJ) printing systems. The role collaborates closely with Sales, Marketing, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Procurement, Quality, and Operations to deliver innovative, commercially successful solutions that support Wikoff’s growth strategy.

Key Responsibilities

Technical Leadership & Product Development

• Develop and execute the Digital Product Development technology roadmap.
• Lead formulation, validation, commercialization, and continuous improvement projects.
• Evaluate emerging raw materials and technologies to improve performance, sustainability, and cost.
• Direct laboratory best practices, documentation, and technical standards.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Innovation & Commercialization

• Translate customer and market requirements into commercially viable products.
• Lead product trials, scale‑up, and manufacturing transfer activities.
• Support product launches and lifecycle management.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives for product performance and manufacturability.

Leadership & Talent Development

• Lead, coach, mentor, and develop Product Development personnel.
• Establish departmental goals, KPIs, and individual development plans.
• Promote a culture of innovation, safety, accountability, and collaboration.
• Manage laboratory resources and departmental budgets.

Customer Engagement & Technical Support

• Support strategic customer visits and technical presentations.
• Provide technical expertise for complex customer and manufacturing issues.
• Represent Wikoff at industry conferences and supplier meetings.

Cross‑Functional Collaboration

• Partner with Sales, Marketing, Manufacturing, Quality, Procurement, Operations, and Technical Service teams.
• Share market intelligence and support strategic business planning.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Polymer Science, or related discipline required.
• Master’s or Ph.D. preferred.
• 10+ years of formulation experience in digital inks, coatings, or specialty chemicals.
• 5+ years of technical leadership experience.
• Demonstrated success commercializing new products.
• Strong knowledge of pigment dispersions, printhead technologies, laboratory safety, and regulatory compliance.
• Excellent communication, project management, and leadership skills.

Working Conditions

• Office, laboratory, manufacturing, and customer environments.
• Occasional overnight travel.

Effort / Physical Demands

• Ability to sit for long periods of time.
• Lifting/pushing/pulling up to 25 lbs.
• Ability to wear required PPE.

Health and Safety Responsibilities

• Must work in accordance with Health and Safety regulations, Company Rules, Plant Rules, policies and procedures.
• Must use or wear equipment, protective devices, or certain clothing as required by the company.

Benefits

• Competitive pay and overtime opportunities
• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• Paid time off and holidays
• 401(k)
• Employee Stock Ownership Plan
• Career development and training opportunities
• Clean, safe, and team‑oriented work environment

This position contributes to a quality product by ensuring overall compliance to defined Product Specifications, the Quality Management System, and the Quality Policy. Additionally, this position promotes a safe work environment by complying with the defined Safety rules, GMP and regulations at all times.

This company is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, or protected veteran status.