Location: Near Preston, Lancashire
We have a great career opportunity for a Technical Director providing strategic leadership across new product development, formulation management, testing, quality control, compliance, and innovation for commercial growth in the roads and coatings sectors across sites in the UK and Southern Europe. Reporting to the company owner you will be responsible for shaping and executing the technical vision of the business with new product development, operational oversight, and the ability to enable cross-functional collaboration.
Key Responsibilities:
Define and implement the R&D and product development strategy based on input from internal stakeholders and market intelligence.
Lead and manage the end-to-end product development lifecycle.
Set research objectives and responsibilities, manage ongoing progress.
Drive continuous improvement of quality and support optimisation and efficiency improvements with manufacturing.
Enhance efficiency, safety, and process reliability.
Ensure all product testing meets internal, customer, and regulatory standards.
Inspire and manage a high-performing technical team, supporting career development and training.
Represent the company on industry and regulatory bodies.
Manage and maintain intellectual property (IP) portfolio.
Coordinate product and formulation changes in line with quality systems.
Ensure full product and documentary compliance to regulatory and legislative requirements.
Provide technical support to all departments and in business development activities.
Liaise with Supply Chain on sourcing and evaluation of new and existing raw materials.
Contribute to Lean and continuous improvement programs.
Qualifications & Experience:
Degree in Chemistry, Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
Extensive leadership experience in technical or R&D roles, preferably within roads, coatings, or construction chemicals.
Understanding of paint and thermoplastic formulations, raw material technologies, and application methods.
Strong familiarity with quality management systems and regulatory frameworks, including CE marking, ISO standards, and BS EN compliance.
Experience with intellectual property management, including patents and design protection.
Skills:
Proven ability to lead technical teams across multiple geographies.
Exceptional interpersonal, leadership, and communication skills.
Proficiency in English is essential; Italian an advantage.
In return you will be joining a thriving and dynamic company with brand awareness across the roads industry and where you will be influential in the future commercial development of the business.