Senior R&D Manager - North America

Nokian Tyres•Dayton, TN

4d•Onsite

About The Position

Nokian Tyres, a pioneering Finnish company that invented the winter tire in 1934, operates in over 60 countries worldwide. We are seeking experienced professionals and emerging talent to join our team. Position: Senior R&D Manager - North America Location: Dayton, Tennessee Summary Lead research and development activities for Passenger Car Tires (PCT) in North America, in alignment with Nokian Tyres’ global R&D strategy. This role operates in close collaboration with the North America Product Program Leader and is responsible for managing all regional R&D activities, including supervising the local R&D team. The position promotes strong collaboration between North America and global R&D, Dayton production, and the North America Business Area.

Requirements

Minimum 5 years of experience in tire R&D; 10+ years of total R&D experience preferred.
Proven experience working at the intersection of production and R&D.
Minimum Master’s degree in a relevant field.
Excellent leadership, motivation, and innovation skills.
Experience working in an international environment is essential.

Nice To Haves

Experience in LT product development is considered an asset.
Previous supervisory experience is an advantage.

Responsibilities

Ownership of North America R&D activities in close collaboration with internal stakeholders.
Operate in close partnership with the North America Product Program Leader.
Support market-leading product performance, with a particular focus on LT (Light Truck) products.
Ensure strong collaboration with Dayton and global production teams, maintaining a design-to-quality mindset.
Provide support in industrialization activities and focus on product lifetime development.
Act as team leader for the North America R&D team.
Drive continuous improvement in product and process quality.