Technical Manager

Matrix Adhesives Group; Durham (NC); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Matrix Adhesives Group in Durham, NC, is seeking a senior leader to oversee NPD and QC teams, manage regional projects, and drive EHS compliance and quality systems. The role demands a chemistry background and 8+ years in adhesives or polymers, with proven technical management and communication to align with customers and internal stakeholders.

The position requires a strong focus on Kaizen, data-driven decisions, and collaboration with cross-functional teams.

Qualifications

• Degree in chemistry, chemical engineering or related scientific discipline.
• Eight+ years experience with adhesives, coatings, polymers or formulation development.
• Proven experience in technical management and leading teams.
• Strong understanding of chemistry and related technologies.
• Experience presenting to diverse audiences including business leaders.
• Chemical manufacturing experience desirable and focus on sustainability (EHS).
• Good IT skills and ability to manage information and data effectively.
• Strong organizational and planning abilities with initiative.
• Ability to adapt to customer needs and business objectives.
• Excellent verbal and written communication across levels.

Responsibilities

• Oversee local technical team and daily NPD and QC activities with mentorship.
• Lead regional project portfolio and coordinate global resources.
• Maintain EHS risk assessments, COSHH and lab SOPs.
• Develop and implement ISO 9001 compliant QA systems and SOPs.
• Provide technical governance and guide development projects and investigations.
• Collaborate with commercial and marketing to support technical roadmap and strategy.
• Discuss research results with scientists, engineers and customers; prepare technical papers.
• Maintain documentation and report progress to leadership and stakeholders.
• Drive Kaizen improvements and optimize facilities and processes.
• Ensure site health, safety, and quality standards and manage hazards.

Skills

Management

Project management

EHS compliance

Quality assurance

Technical guidance

Collaboration

Reporting

Kaizen

Health & safety awareness

Leadership

Planning & organization

Communication skills

Team leadership

Education

Degree in chemistry/chemical engineering or related

Eight+ years experience in adhesives/coatings/polymers

Tools

MS Office

Job description

About this position

About Matrix Adhesives

Founded in 2021, Matrix Adhesives Group is a growth-driven company committed to delivering high-performance bonding and sealing solutions across diverse industries. We bring together some of the most trusted and innovative brands in the adhesives and sealants market - each with a proven legacy of quality, performance, and reliability.

Our portfolio includes industry-leading names–each contributing unique expertise and capabilities to meet the evolving needs of our customers. Through our brands, we offer a comprehensive range of products engineered for construction, industrial, commercial, and specialty applications.

At the core of our business is a relentless focus on operational excellence, customer partnership, and cutting-edge research and development. We don’t just supply adhesives. We help build stronger, safer, and more efficient systems for the future.

Matrix Adhesives Group is more than a supplier. We are your collaborative partner backed by a powerhouse of leading brands - committed to performance, innovation, and long-term value.

About the Role:
Role Accountabilities, Expectations, and Responsibilities:

• Management – Oversee the local technical team and day to day activities within NPD and QC. Providing mentorship, training and guidance to ensure the delivery of high quality work.
• Project Management – Lead and manage the project portfolio within your region, adhering to project timelines and coordinating resources globally with other regional technical leaders.
• EHS Compliance – Maintain and update EHS risk assessments, COSHH and SOPs for laboratory environments.
• Quality Assurance – Maintain and develop NPD and QC systems and procedures as well as implementation of new SOPs when needed. Carrying out work in compliance to ISO 9001.
• Technical Expertise – Provide technical guidance and governance to the business. Support and lead teams through development projects and quality investigations.
• Collaboration – Liaise with commercial and marketing functions, supporting the development and implementation of the technical roadmap and business strategy.
• Confers with scientists, engineers and customers/potential customers regarding research, field test results, and prepares technical papers and reports.
• Reporting and Documentation – Maintain accurate documentation for all technical work through the team. Preparing updates, reporting progress and results to leadership and key stakeholders. Conveys technical ideas in written or verbal reports at a suitable level for the audience.
• Be a leader and drive improvement of everything. "Kaizen is the way of life". Make recommendations for improvements to facilities or processes when needed. Maintain an efficient practical working environment.
• Works to site health, safety, and quality standards. Proactive in reporting issues and making improvements. Controls chemical and process hazards in the laboratory through internal procedures.

The duties and responsibilities highlighted in this job description are indicative and may vary over time. Post holders are expected to undertake other duties and responsibilities relevant to the nature, level and extent of the post.
Education and/or Work Experience Requirements:

• Education to degree level within chemistry, chemical engineering or other relevant scientific discipline or equivalent relevant experience.
• Eight years or more experience working with adhesives, coatings, polymers, plastics, formulation development, material properties or other equivalent experience.
• Proven experience in technical management.
• A strong understanding of chemistry and the relevant technologies.
• Experience presenting to a wide range of audiences at all levels of the business including non-technical and business leaders.
• Chemical manufacturing experience is desirable.
• An awareness of sustainability, environment, health and safety issues.
• Strong IT skills including MS Office packages.
• Good organizational skills and a methodical approach to work.
• Ability to manage and balance workload to meet agreed project targets.
• Ability to lead, manage and empower teams.
• Knowledge in a relevant scientific discipline.
• Data/information collection, management, and analysis.
• Planning and organisation
• Proactive, self-motivation and able to use initiative.
• Effective communication skills – verbal and written across all levels of the organization
• Flexibility to adapt to the needs of customers or business objectives.
• Teamwork