Manager, Applications Development

• Leverage and expand your expertise and knowledge of products and processes that are used in combination with Michelman materials as target markets/applications evolve and change, including the coordination and, when necessary, planning, supervision and execution of customer or production trials
• When working with customers on application needs, assist in identifying and developing other opportunities for new and existing products and make product and application solution recommendations and coordinate and execute any required product and application trials
• Collaborate with teammates in Business Development, Application Development, Marketing, Technical and Sales to globally translate successful solutions to new and existing customers.
• Deploy your industry knowledge, business insight, and technical and application skills in introducing to and helping customers adopt new product solutions
• Collaborate with R&D on the solution design of new products, including executing required trials, and coordinate and lead validation trials for new products with the objective of optimizing the time-to-market. This will include performing and/or directing important lab analysis work on customer materials and trial materials.
• Strive to use a customer intimate approach and application knowledge to collaborate with sales at identified beta-customers or new strategic accounts, validating the value proposition and gaining valuable voice of customer research
• Leverage your network of industry end-users, experts, customers, allied partners, equipment OEMs, and consultants in order to solve and specify application requirements at customers/converters
• Collaborate closely with the Sales organization to ensure customers' needs are clear and solutions are proposed in a timely manner, and to actively support the need for trial work at the customer to qualify new product or process solutions
• Actively participate or, when appropriate, lead product development or application/market focused teams
• Actively partner with the Sales, Product Marketing, R&D/Technology, and Global Marketing departments to identify, prioritize, assess, and engage potential strategic partners for applications and product development opportunities and to drive new business growth opportunities

Other

• Perform related duties as assigned or as the situation dictates.
• Between 25% and 50% travel by car or plane for customers visits, industry events, etc.

Relationship Building and communication skills

• Communication:Strong verbal and written communication skills are crucial for technical presentations, and building rapport with customers and colleagues.
• Listening and Empathy:The ability to actively listen to and understand customer needs and pain points is essential for developing tailored solutions.
• Relationship Building:Established credibility early and excels at building and maintaining long-term relationships with customers and stakeholders based on trust and genuine connection.
• Leadership and Persuasion:These professionals are often leaders who can persuade others and have strong customer service skills.
• Influence Skills: Can navigate complex decision-making structures

Strategic and analytical skills

• Strategic Vision:Able to look beyond immediate needs, recognize how the situation aligns with company strategy and set clear, and align activity accordingly.
• Problem-Solving: Critical thinker who can analyze the technical situation, customer data, and performance metrics to create solutions and overcome challenges.
• Business Acumen:Has a strong understanding of the market, industry, and business operations and is necessary to identify opportunities and make informed decisions.
• Results-Oriented:Possesses a results-driven mindset with a focus on customer intimacy and assisting in consistently exceeding sales targets and achieving goals.
• Opportunity Identification: Responsive to identified opportunities and customer technical application needs and skilled at identifying and qualifying prospective projects and prospects

Personal and work-related characteristics

• Determination and Resilience:A positive, persistent attitude and resilience are vital for overcoming iterative failures in product or application development and navigating complex situations.
• Adaptability:Able to adapt and work effectively in a dynamic environment, adjusting priorities quickly as needed.
• Organization:Excellent organizational and time management skills are necessary for handling multiple projects and tasks.
• Self-Motivation:Proactive and self-driven, with passion toward servicing the customer and capable of using initiative to help find and develop new business
• Ownership Mentality: Treats the business with the passion and accountability of an owner, * Bachelor's degree or equivalent in a science related, engineering or technical field required; Advanced degree a plus
• Minimum of five (5) years of experience in Packaging (Rigid or Flexible), working with customers in application technical support role and for converters and/or raw materials suppliers to the value chain
• Chemistry or Engineering knowledge or specific experience/knowledge a major plus