Research and Development Manager

Job Purpose/Summary:

The R&D Manager drives technical innovation by developing groundbreaking products and processes for the mining industry. This hands-on role emphasizes execution, experimentation, and forward-thinking strategies, ensuring alignment with Polydeck’s business goals. The R&D Manager leads a small, highly skilled team, focusing on technical excellence and process optimization rather than traditional managerial duties. This role involves guiding innovation in materials, design, and manufacturing processes from conception to launch, ensuring alignment with strategic business objectives.

Essential Functions/Responsibilities:

· Technical Innovation: Spearhead cutting-edge advancements in materials, design, and manufacturing processes, ensuring alignment with industry trends and future market needs.

· Product Development Pipeline: Build and manage a robust pipeline of innovative, market-ready products, including new-to-the-world solutions, cost-saving initiatives, and product line enhancements.

· Process Orientation: Develop and refine manufacturing processes, tooling strategies, and technical methodologies to ensure products are feasible, scalable, and cost-effective.

· Experimentation and Prototyping: Employ rigorous testing and prototyping to validate concepts, solve technical challenges, and ensure product functionality and quality.

· Vendor and Material Evaluation: Identify, engage, and qualify new vendors, suppliers, and materials to support innovation and ensure ROI-driven decisions.

· Collaborative Execution: Partner with cross-functional teams—engineering, marketing, sales, manufacturing, quality, and supply chain—to streamline product development and accelerate time-to-market.

· Visionary Leadership: Inspire the team with a forward-looking product vision, encouraging risk-taking and learning through failure to drive bold innovations.

· Data-Driven Decisions: Utilize data collection, modeling, simulation, and analysis tools to guide product testing, market evaluation, and development priorities.

· Patent Strategy: Navigate intellectual property protection processes to secure competitive advantages for new products.

· Continuous Learning: Stay at the forefront of industry advancements, emerging technologies, and best practices to maintain a competitive edge.

· Foster Collaborative Relationships: Collaborate with cross-functional teams to develop a pipeline of innovative and profitable products and product platforms. Relationships will include product managers, sales, marketing, engineering, manufacturing, quality, supply chain and finance.

· Customer and End-User Focused: Understand the needs of customers and their specific market segments to drive product innovation.

Skills/Certifications:

· Strong technical aptitude with hands-on experience in prototyping, tooling, and manufacturing processes.

· Competency with modern tools and technologies, including 3D printing, lab testing equipment, sensors, and data analysis platforms.

· Direct experience with rubber molding, including equipment, mold design, and materials.

· Direct experience with polymer (preferably elastomer) injection molding, including equipment, mold design, and materials.

· Machine building/modification including mechanical, electrical, and controls.

· Proficiency in developing and implementing rigorous product development methodologies—modeling, simulation, testing, and documentation to promote product innovation.

· Exceptional problem-solving skills with patience, persistence, and a willingness to embrace calculated risks.

· Excellent organizational and time-management abilities to handle multiple projects in a fast-paced environment.

· Demonstrated ability to evaluate business impact, ROI, and prioritize high-value opportunities.

· Ability to identify and anticipate market trends, resulting in the conceptualization of successful new products and markets.

· Orchestrate the design and implementation of new manufacturing processes and physical manufacturing cells to support new product needs.

· Strong interpersonal and communication skills, capable of presenting complex technical information to diverse audiences.

· Entrepreneurial mindset with a focus on achieving results through innovation and resourcefulness.

Minimum Education & Work Experience Required:

· Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Materials Science, or a related technical field; advanced degree preferred.

· 5 years of experience in R&D, product development, or a similar role, with proven success in bringing innovative products to market.

· Prior experience in a Project Management role with a minimum of 1 years.

· Experience in managing or mentoring small teams while maintaining a hands-on, practitioner role.

Necessary Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

· Possess a collaborative and humble approach, building strong relationships at all levels and across the organization.

· Embody an entrepreneurial spirit, capable of driving results and change with limited resources in a fast-paced work environment.

· Possess strong presentation skills, including the ability to present technical information to diverse audiences and communicate product vision and direction to Sales team and customer base.

· Demonstrate excellent analytical, judgment, and influencing skills.

· Exhibit the use of business models and financial calculation tools for estimating revenue and costs to prioritize New Product Development opportunities and activities.

· Exhibit excellent organization and prioritization skills, adept at adapting to changing business needs and managing numerous projects and deadlines with ease.

Supervisory Responsibility & Budget Accountability:

· The candidate will responsibility for the safety of others by leading their team.

· Frequently required to work in a lab or manufacturing environment with exposure to machinery, tools, and various materials.

· Responsible for budget planning and execution aligned with the business goals.

Other Comments:

· Ability and willingness to travel up to 25% of the time to coordinate new product and/or material field testing, train field sales personnel, and gather market data.

· Uses independent judgement and discretion based upon the employee’s experience in the position and knowledge of the products, equipment, and services.

· Moderate levels of stress may be experienced in the performance of the job.

· Ability to lift up to 50 pounds and perform hands-on tasks related to prototyping and testing.

· Flexibility to adapt to dynamic project needs, tight deadlines, and evolving priorities.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $100,000.00 - $120,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• AD&D insurance
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Employee discount
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• On-site gym
• Paid time off
• Referral program
• Vision insurance

Ability to Relocate:

• Akron, OH: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: In person

Salary : $100,000 - $120,000