Sr Technology Manager

Job Summary

Avient’s Research & Development and Technology Teams strive to develop innovative solutions that position Avient as the leading specialty solutions provider for customers.

Essential Functions

• Partner internally and externally to innovate new technologies and penetrate strategic markets to solve customer / market needs.
• Manage innovation portfolios, technology plans and resources consistently with business unit priorities.
• Effectively deploy idea generation and management, phase gate process, project management, design of experiments, Electronic Notebook (ELN), and other technology tools.
• Drive a culture of innovation through creativity, cooperation, collaboration, and engagement.
• Manage a team of scientists, engineers, and technicians within the scope given below:
• Plan, direct, and co-ordinate product development functions independently.
• Modify existing formulation without compromising existing properties.
• Formulate materials to meet customers’ and market requirements with respect to mechanical properties, electrical properties, flame resistance, UV stability, flow, surface appearance, shrinkage, etc.
• Coordinate with other Avient sites for technology transfers where necessary.
• Coordinate with Process/Product Translation/Production Department for production scale-up.
• Assist the Process/Product Translation/Production Department for process troubleshooting and process improvements where necessary.
• Understand and select appropriate raw materials including base resin, fillers, flame retardants, stabilizers, lubricants, etc. to achieve the required compound properties and applications.
• Source new raw materials for product development purposes.
• Plan raw material cost saving programs through collaboration with Purchasing, Product Management, Production where appropriate.
• Partner effectively with product stewardship and testing requirements.
• Define, approve, and guide R&D projects to drive formulation development of specialty polymer compounds.
• Provide technical leadership through mentoring, training, and coaching.
• Interact globally to facilitate product translation with technical teams in Europe and Asia.
• Effectively network with other technical and marketing teams within Avient to generate and exploit new ideas and opportunities.
• Advocate a strong safety and performance culture and attitude within the team.
  
  

Education And Experience

• Degree preferred in PhD-Chemical Engineering or related. Bachelor's degree required.
• 8+ years' experience in management, strategic planning, leadership, technology/R&D, Design and Experiment, Patent Development.
• Supervise a team of technical professionals.
• Ability to prioritize time and responsibilities.
• Must be able to read/comprehend written and oral instructions in English; read and comprehend safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, procedure manuals, and product recipes/material identifications.
• Must be able to effectively communicate one-on-one and with Team.
• Self-motivated, team player with stress management and organizational skills.
• Experience with Microsoft Office Products and SAP.
  
  

Competencies

• Each position at Avient focuses on eight Core Competencies as a Leader of Self.
• Additionally, management positions focus on Leadership Competencies as a Leader of Others and/or a Leader of the Business.
• These competencies are designed to drive behavior that will help our associates excel at their current roles, while supporting individual and career development.
  
  

Physical Demands

• Required to stand.
• Use hands to handle or feel.
• Ability to reach with hands and arms.
• Frequently required to walk.
• Occasionally required to stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl
• Must be able to talk and hear.
• Occasionally required to lift and/or move up to 50lbs.
• Specific vision abilities may be required by this position which includes close vision, color vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.
• Occasionally exposed to moving mechanical parts, toxic or caustic chemicals and fumes or airborne particles.
• The noise level in the work environment ranges from normal office noise levels to loud.
  
  

Environmental, Health, Safety, & Security (EHS&S) Requirements

• Avient integrates EHS&S into all aspects of our operations. Each position at Avient is responsible for complying with all applicable EHS&S requirements. Additionally, employees and management are responsible for reporting all EHS&S incidents immediately to ensure we keep EHS&S a priority within the organization.
• Security includes physical security and cyber security.
  
  

Who We Are

Avient Corporation provides specialized and sustainable material solutions that transform customer challenges into opportunities, bringing new products to life for a better world. Examples include:

• Dyneema®, the world’s strongest fiber™, enables unmatched levels of performance and protection for end-use applications, including ballistic personal protection, marine and sustainable infrastructure and outdoor sports
• Unique technologies that improve the recyclability of products and enable recycled content to be incorporated, thus advancing a more circular economy
• Light-weighting solutions that replace heavier traditional materials like metal, glass and wood, which can improve fuel efficiency in all modes of transportation and reduce carbon footprint
• Sustainable infrastructure solutions that increase energy efficiency, renewable energy, natural resource conservation and fiber optic / 5G network accessibility
  
  

Avient employs approximately 10,000 associates and is certified ACC Responsible Care®, a founding member of the Alliance to End Plastic Waste and certified Great Place to Work®. For more information, visit www.avient.com.

Why Avient

Avient Corporation is a world-class sustainable organization built on innovation, collaboration, and employee development. We are committed to providing a supportive and dynamic work environment where our diverse associates can grow and succeed, as well positively impacting our planet and the communities we serve. Our Great Place to Work culture, values, and benefits make Avient an employer of choice for top talent.

At Avient, we believe diversity of ideas and backgrounds gives us the creativity to be successful in a rapidly changing world. In support of this, we stress equality of opportunity for all qualified individuals in accordance with applicable laws. Decisions on hiring, promotion, development, compensation or advancement are based solely on a person’s qualifications, abilities, experience and performance.

Avient Corporation is a drug free workplace. Avient is an equal opportunity employer. We maintain a policy of non-discrimination in providing equal employment to all qualified employees and candidates regardless of race, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, color, religion, national origin, disability, genetic information, protected veteran’s status, or other legally protected classification in accordance with applicable federal, state and local law.