RD Manager

H.B. Fuller is a leading global adhesives provider focusing on perfecting adhesives and sealants across all industries throughout the world. While our products are virtually invisible, they play a vital role in ensuring the quality of modern life and we are committed to connecting what matters to solve some of the world's biggest adhesion challenges.H.B. Fuller Construction Adhesives provides technologically advanced solutions to the commercial, industrial, and residential construction industry. The company's recognized and trusted brands are available through an extensive network of distributors and dealers, as well as home improvement retailers.The R&D Manager is the leader in the Michigan Center Construction Adhesive R&D laboratory. Our Global R&D laboratories have a primary objective of developing and commercializing innovative new products, technologies, and application techniques, as well as ensuring business continuity, completing project work aligned with our global business strategy goals, and overseeing building code and product regulatory approvals. The individual in this role is responsible for the day-to-day management of work including managing a team and overseeing the R&D workflow, and is an innovator, designing products that uphold H.B. Fuller's position as the market leader and puts sustainability at the forefront of our company's actions. They will work in a fast-paced environment with competing priorities, managing multiple tasks concurrently, they are resourceful and self-educating with relationship to product applications & requirements.The R&D Manager will use their in-depth formulating knowledge and technical expertise in technologies used for adhesives, sealants, primers, and coatings used in the Commercial Roofing, Waterproofing, Facade and Building Envelope markets. This includes formulating expertise and the corresponding test methods used to characterize each formulation and application. In addition, this individual will have in-depth knowledge of the raw materials and manufacturing practices used to develop products and a fundamental understanding of the equipment and dynamics used to deliver these products to the end use substrates for the respective application. The R&D Manager will have as a primary objective innovation project portfolio management, production scale-up oversight and commercialization of new products and new application techniques. They will support their team efficiently to fulfill the project target milestones following the company innovation stage gate process.The R&D Manager reports to the Senior Director, Project Manager and R&D and will represent R&D on the Commercial Roofing Leadership Team as well as the Michigan Center team on the Construction Adhesives R&D Leadership Team. The position is supported by a global R&D network, professional Product Management & Marketing Team and a Field Technical Service Team, both with extensive market knowledge.Primary DutiesSuccessfully initiating and leading large cross-functional innovation projects with significant business impact, including projects that involve the development of patentable or proprietary technology.Utilizing Stage-Gate and internal communication to establish development timelines, driving to a successful completion, on time, and within budget.Ability to work on a wide range of problems where correlations are difficult to establish and the use of creative problem solving is required.Ensuring business continuity through technical-business project reviews, plant support and new product scale-up, raw material management, technical service support to sales, and lead technical contact for regulatory, codes, and legal/IP support.Acting as both an internal and an external technical expert in an industry or technology. Representing the company at industry events and through presentations and publications, as well as acting as a link to outsi