R&D Grease Technology Manager

MOVING YOUR WORLD by focusing on your success:

FUCHS offers a challenging and rewarding working environment where employees are encouraged to develop and grow.  We stand behind our core values: trust, creating value, respect, reliability, and integrity. Ours is a culture that fosters creativity and empowerment, values work/life balance, and gives you the freedom to excel. At FUCHS we aim to nurture your capabilities, ideas and career.

Salary:

FUCHS offers a competitive salary commensurate with experience in a similar position. The salary range for this position is $150,000 - $175,000 per year, but actual salary will vary depending upon a new hire’s experience and qualifications as well as internal equity. 

Your areas of responsibility:

Accountabilities and objectives will include:

• Facilitate regional innovation by effectively integrating key insights and collaborating with the Regional Research, Development & Innovation (RD&I) department, as well as other technical groups across the Americas and globally.
• Collaborate with Product Management to develop and sustain a pipeline of new product initiatives that align with Business Plans, Global R&D, and Global Product Management strategies.
• Engage in regional and global collaboration within a high-performance, results-driven environment, fostering a culture of discovery, curiosity, and continuous learning.
• Lead by example by demonstrating Fuchs’s core values every day, i.e., trust, creating value, respect, reliability, and integrity.
• Collaborate cross functionally to support the company’s profitability though its sales, manufacturing, marketing, product development, and general management functions.
• Lead and mentor a team of scientists, chemists, and engineers, managing projects from concept to commercialization, and ensuring that new and existing products meet industry standards and customer requirements
• Drive the formulation and development of new lubricating greases, focusing on performance, cost-effectiveness, and environmental impact.
• Oversee the optimization of existing lubricant formulations to improve efficiency, reduce costs, and meet evolving industry standards.
• Supervise experimental research, product testing, and validation in laboratory and real-world conditions.
• Identify and evaluate new technologies, materials, and processes that can enhance product performance and market competitiveness.
• Contribute to and implement the strategic R&D roadmap aligned with the company’s long-term goals and market trends.
• Monitor industry trends, competitor products, and regulatory changes to guide R&D efforts.
• Ensure that all products meet quality standards and comply with relevant industry regulations and environmental guidelines.
• Work closely with the quality assurance team to develop testing protocols and quality control processes.
• Provide technical support and expertise to customers and sales teams, including troubleshooting and product application guidance.
• Participate in customer visits, presentations, and industry conferences to represent the company’s technical capabilities.
• Create affiliations, participate in consortia, engage in global Key Working Groups, as required to support the product development, launch, and ensure the on-going success of the product pipeline.
• Keep abreast of industry trends and customer needs to align R&D priorities with business goals. Interact with customers to demonstrate the company’s commitment to technical excellence and customer intimacy.
• Promote a teamwork culture where people are treated fairly and honestly at all levels and recognized for their impact.
• Support a learning culture that builds organizational knowledge and sustainable platforms through mentoring and training. 
• Contribute to budget management and resource allocations to achieve both short- and long-term goals, including capital expenditures to enhance the company’s technical capabilities.

Qualifications we are looking for:

• Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry, Chemical or Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science or a related field. A Master’s or Ph.D. is preferred.
• 7+ years of experience in R&D within the chemical or lubricants industry, with at least 3 years in a managerial role with direct reports.
• Strong leadership and team management skills with the ability to inspire and drive innovation.
• In-depth knowledge of grease formulations, testing methods, manufacturing processes, and industry standards.
• Excellent problem-solving abilities and project management skills.
• Strong communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to present complex technical information clearly.
• Familiarity with regulatory requirements and environmental standards related to lubricants.
• Proven track record of successful product development and commercialization. 
• Experience in lubricant technologies and tribological characterization is a plus.
• Strong problem solving, interpersonal, teamwork, and communication skills.
• Must be proficient with computers and Microsoft Office programs (Word, Excel, Power Point, Outlook).
• Experience in product development and product modifications is preferred. 
• Experience working in an ISO 9001/ IATF 16949 environment strongly preferred.
• Effective communication, presentation and data analysis skills with an ability to effectively connect with team members across diverse groups with different disciplines and varying degrees of skillsets.  
• Sound judgment in handling unanticipated situations with an entrepreneurial attitude.

These are your benefits:

FUCHS offers a challenging and rewarding working environment where employees are encouraged to develop and grow as pro-fessionals.  In this role, you will have the opportunity to work on projects that will expand your experience and challenge your abilities in the global marketplace.  The position also offers an excellent compensation package and a comprehensive suite of benefits. Detailed benefit information can be found at this link: https://fuchs.com/us/en/benefits.

FUCHS Lubricants Co. is an equal employment opportunity (EEO)/AA employer and strongly supports diversity in the workplace (m/f/d/v).