Application Development Manager-Carbon Fiber

Mitsubishi Chemical Group•Sacramento, CA

4d•$190,000 - $220,000

About The Position

The Application Development Manager, Americas Carbon Fiber Division is responsible for supporting the growth and development of MCG’s carbon fiber and composites portfolios through a deep understanding of customer applications. This role serves as the primary technical bridge between the Company’s products and customer applications, leveraging a strong knowledge of the company’s product portfolio to help customers select and integrate the best fit for their application(s). The position shall coordinate between the Americas Carbon Fiber Division’s external (customers) and internal (sales, product management and operations) stakeholders to deliver on sales, business, and financial objectives.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree required; Composite, Chemical, Mechanical, or Industrial Engineering strongly preferred.
Advanced technical degree in similar disciplines, and/or business degree is valued.
Engineering level of knowledge of composites, physics, chemistry (thermoset and thermoplastic), mechanics, and process principles.
Experience (5+ years) in business involving carbon fibers and/or composites. Experience serving, or working, in two or more of MCGs target markets required – aerospace, defense, sports and leisure, and industrials.
Knowledge of composite product applications in MCG’s target markets and experience in project management in those markets are required.
Strong working knowledge of the development and qualification/certification processes in MCG’s target markets is required.
Technical and applications knowledge of composites and high-performance materials used in manufacturing (e.g., thermoplastics, specialty resins, prepregs, high-strength fibers, and associated manufacturing techniques) is required.
Ability to translate business strategy into specific Applications activities and actions, as part of an annual plan.
Ability to connect technology trends/needs with strategic and commercial implications to drive business results.
Demonstrated strength in establishing and maintaining relationships across customer / partner / supplier organizations.
Proven track record of strong collaboration with internal and external stakeholders.
Ability to work in a matrixed environment to build organizational alignment.
Able to integrate a diversity of perspectives across the organization.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Ability to work in matrixed, global environments across multiple time zones, successfully engaging across the organization to drive business results.
Interact with, and influence, key people both within the company and externally, through superior communication, interpersonal influencing, negotiation, and presentation skills.
Ability to use system tools (i.e., Salesforce, ERP systems) effectively to drive business results.
Willing, and able, to travel up to 50% of the time, regionally and internationally as required.

Nice To Haves

Technical and applications knowledge composite production processes (i.e., prepreg, filament winding, pultrusion, injection molding, RTM, etc.), and design of composite parts preferred.
Understanding of key processes and factors involved in carbon fiber production and differentiation (AN, PAN, precursor, carbon fibers, resin, prepreg, etc.) preferred.
Familiarity with industry trends such as lightweighting, sustainability, advanced manufacturing technologies, etc. is highly valued.
Familiar with Process Safety Management, OSHA regulations, Export Compliance regulations is valued.
Experience in managing projects with customers, contractors, suppliers, and ability to build relationships at all levels of organizations (i.e., operators, engineers, management, leadership) in preferred.
Track record of contributing to the development of product roadmaps.

Responsibilities

Application Development • Builds and develops close relationships with technical and scientific counterparts on the customer side to develop deep understanding of customer applications.
Based on this understanding, helps customer identify the best fit from the Company’s portfolio that matches customer’s needs.
Works closely with customers, from applications and technical perspective, throughout the development and qualification/certification processes to ensure customer success.
Provides comprehensive pre-sales and post-sales application/technical support, to drive customer satisfaction and loyalty.
Complements the Sales team’s commercial efforts through customer visits, technical customer support, product overviews, training, etc.
Conducts onsite training, product/application demonstrations, and technical troubleshooting for customers.
Product and Business Development o Works with the Carbon Fiber Division’s product management, sales, and technical teams (R&D, production technology, operations, etc.) to develop new applications, improve features of existing products (i.e. structure, adhesion, processability, etc.), to better match market needs (i.e., mechanical properties, format, etc.), customers’ conversion processes, part designs, and sustainability.
Serves as the regional Voice of the Customer when working with the regional and global teams (R&D, Production Technology, Production and Sales), to help improve the Company’s products and competitive positioning.
Contributes to the development of new and future product road maps through a deep understanding of regional customer applications and the Company’s products.
Serves as a regional subject matter expert, providing thought-leadership through relevant channels (industry group forums, trade shows, webinars, etc.).
Marketing and Strategy • Monitors the Americas regional applications trends and supports global/regional market intelligence initiatives for the Carbon Fiber Division.
Understands developments in key end markets, changes in market trends/behavior, and uses this information to create “own” view on relevant market development and trends.
Develops and maintains relationships with relevant trade organizations and x-Business Group teams to monitor market developments in the Americas Region.
Participates in conferences, meetings, and other trade/technical events.
Contributes to the development of case studies featuring successful customer applications using Company’s products.
Participates in annual business planning/budget processes by providing forecasts and insights based on regional market knowledge.