Technical Services Manager

Innospec Inc.; Salisbury (NC); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Innospec Inc. seeks a Technical Services Manager Silicones to lead a team delivering customer-focused technical service and innovative silicone formulations. You will drive product development, manage regulatory and application support, and collaborate with sales and production to meet market needs.

The role requires hands-on silicone chemistry, strong project leadership, and the ability to build relationships with customer technical teams while traveling to client sites as needed.

Qualifications

• BS in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering or Biochemistry; advanced degree preferred.
• Hands-on silicone chemistry and formulation experience.
• 15+ years in the silicone industry with hands-on formulations.
• Effective written and oral communication and teamwork.
• Willingness to travel up to 20% domestically.

Responsibilities

• Lead a high-performing team focused on customer technical service and new product development.
• Provide technical, regulatory and application support to customers.
• Develop commercially viable silicone formulations meeting market needs.
• Draft and maintain product documentation and support filings.
• Visit customers to promote products and solve technical issues.
• Collaborate with sales, production and marketing on product launches.

Skills

Silicone chemistry

Formulation development

Project leadership

Customer technical service

Regulatory compliance

Strong communication

Education

BS in Chemistry or related field

Advanced degree in related field (plus)

Job description

This Technical Services Manager Silicones role supports the Silicones business by leading technical projects, driving product development, and providing formulation expertise to meet customer, market, and regulatory needs. The ideal candidate brings hands-on silicone chemistry and formulation experience, strong project leadership, and the ability to build long-term relationships with customer technical teams.

Essential Functions

• Lead and develop a high-performing team focused on customer technical service and in the development of innovative new product technologies. Establish key project milestones and timelines, project tracking as well as effective project portfolio management and resource allocation according to business needs.
• Provide technical, regulatory and application assistance to Innospec customers as required to manage the day-to-day technical customer support through:
• answering inquiries on products and applications
• formulation development in the laboratory
• performing analytical and application tests
• Develop commercially viable formulations that successfully meet customer and market demands for performance, economics, and regulatory compliance.
• Research new silicone developments and raw materials to meet new market demands.
• Work with Innospec sales and production teams to define and develop new products and formulations.
• Prepare and maintain required product documentation such as Technical Data Sheet and Technical Bulletins.
• Contribute to drafting patent applications to protect new product developments and new technologies.
• Visit customers to promote our products, develop opportunities for collaboration, and to help solve application technical issues involving our products.
• Work with Marketing to assist in the promotion of our silicones including webinars and social media posts.
• Develop relationships with key vendors and maintain an awareness of market trends for both raw materials and finished goods.
• Represent the company at various industry technical events.
• Assist internal Innospec regulatory team in changes in regulatory demands and anticipated new regulatory restrictions.

Role Requirements

• Minimum of a BS in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering or Biochemistry. Degrees in other scientific disciplines will be considered with an advanced degree in a relevant field a plus.
• Solid working knowledge of silicones, including their properties and chemical composition
• Demonstrated formulation experience in leave-on and conditioning products
• Strong background in personal care formulation development
• Experience across product categories such as:
• Ability to provide solutions to market issues, including changing regulatory requirements
• Experience of 15 or more years in the silicone industry or with silicone manufacturers and having hands-on experience in formulations and applications using silicones, particularly with silicone emulsions.
• Domestic travel will be required, with up to 20% of time on travel.
• Very effective communicator, both written and oral, and excellent team player.

Environmental Restrictions

• Ability to perform essential job duties in both indoor and outdoor environments, including offices, facilities, and external job sites.
• Regular exposure to varying weather conditions, noise, dust, moving equipment, and uneven terrain.
• Physical requirements may include sitting, standing, walking, lifting, carrying, bending, reaching, and operating tools or equipment as necessary to perform job responsibilities.
• Regular attendance and adherence to company safety policies are required.
• In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and applicable state laws, reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.