R&D Project Manager

Client:

Our client is a well-established international technology leader that develops and produces high-quality solutions for demanding industrial applications, combining advanced engineering expertise , modern manufacturing technologies, and technical know-how . With a strong focus on quality, efficiency, and continuous improvement, the organization supports customers worldwide and continuously strengthens its production and engineering capabilities.

The organization is currently strengthening its leadership capabilities, harmonising core processes and evolving towards a more integrated operating model across its international businesses . This role offers the opportunity to play a key part in that transformation while working closely with executive leadership to drive strategic R&D programs and strengthen project management capabilities across the organization.

Role Purpose:

The Project Manager will take ownership of the planning, coordination and execution of strategic R&D programs, ensuring complex, cross-functional projects are delivered on time and in line with agreed objectives. Working closely with R&D, Engineering, Quality, Manufacturing, Commercial, Procurement and other stakeholders across multiple sites and countries, the role will establish and maintain the master project schedule, manage risks, dependencies, milestones and budgets, and drive accountability across workstreams. The role will initially focus on a major strategic program involving new product and market introduction, formulation changes and significant manufacturing and CAPEX activities, while establishing a long-term project and program management capability across global R&D pipeline.

Key responsibilities:

Project & Program Management

• Lead project and program management for strategic R&D initiatives, taking ownership of planning, coordination, execution and delivery.
• Build and maintain the master project schedule, defining milestones, workstreams, dependencies, critical paths and timelines.
• Drive project execution and accountability, ensuring agreed actions and milestones are delivered.
• Establish and continuously improve project-management discipline and processes across wider global R&D project portfolio.

Risk, Dependency & Schedule Management

• Manage project risks, assumptions, issues and dependencies (RAID), ensuring clear ownership, mitigation actions, deadlines and timely escalation.
• Identify potential delays and risks early, developing alternative plans and solutions to protect critical milestones and overall project objectives.
• Monitor cross-workstream dependencies and assess their impact on project timelines and delivery.

Cross-Functional & Multi-Site Coordination

• Coordinate activities across R&D, Engineering, Quality, Manufacturing, Commercial, Procurement and CAPEX stakeholders.
• Coordinate cross-site activities across different countries, cultures and time zones.
• Influence and coordinate stakeholders without direct authority, working effectively with technical experts, site leaders and senior stakeholders.
• Facilitate regular project governance, including cross-site project meetings, milestone reviews, risk reviews, dependency discussions and management/steering reviews.

Product Development & Technical Projects

• Coordinate new product development and qualification activities, including formulation changes, product validation, testing and industrial qualification programs.
• Support complex engineering and manufacturing workstreams and ensure technical activities are translated into clear project milestones, dependencies, risks and actions.
• Coordinate CAPEX and engineering-related activities required to support project delivery.

Budget, Reporting & Stakeholder Communication

• Track project costs and budgets, including CAPEX dependencies, cost variances and potential financial risks.
• Prepare clear project reporting and management information, providing senior stakeholders with transparency on progress, risks, decisions and required actions.
• Escalate issues and risks proactively and facilitate timely decision-making.
• Travel regularly to company's sites and, where required, suppliers or sourcing locations to support project execution.

Success Profile:

Experience & Technical Background

• 8+ years’ Project Management experience in engineering, industrial manufacturing, technical product development or similar environments.
• Proven ownership of complex, multi-site projects , including multiple workstreams, dependencies and international stakeholders.
• Strong experience in project scheduling, critical-path management, risk/RAID management and delivery tracking .
• Experience with project budgets, costing and CAPEX .
• Strong technical understanding of engineering and manufacturing environments , with the ability to translate technical issues into project risks, dependencies and actions.
• Experience with new product introduction, qualification, validation or industrial testing is highly desirable.
• Experience in electrical equipment, T&D, industrial engineering, engineered products or technical manufacturing is advantageous.
• Microsoft Project, Smartsheet or equivalent project-management tools; strong Excel skills.
• PMP or equivalent project management certification is preferred.
• ANSI/ IEC type knowledge would be a big plus.
• Ceramics, insulators or materials experience is beneficial but not essential .

Personal Attributes:

• Proactive and structured , with strong attention to risks, dependencies and deadlines.
• Assertive and confident , able to influence and challenge stakeholders without formal authority.
• Pragmatic and delivery-focused , with a hands-on approach.
• Strong communicator , comfortable with technical experts and senior stakeholders.
• Resilient and adaptable in a fast-moving, international environment.
• Comfortable working across cultures, countries and time zones and travelling internationally.
• Willingness and ability to undertake extensive international travel.

Languages:

• English – Full professional efficiency.

Benefits:

• Competitive financial compensation.
• Good opportunities for personal development.
• Focus on individual talents and their development.
• Stable position in a financially healthy company with ambitions for further international Expansion.
• Opportunity to utilize unique, individual potential.