Technical Director

Soprema•Wadsworth, OH

About The Position

The Technical Director is a senior technical leadership position responsible for helping shape and execute the technical strategy for SOPREMA’s U.S. operations. Reporting to the CEO – U.S. Operations, this role works with senior leadership to evaluate technical priorities, organizational needs, and opportunities to strengthen technical capabilities. The specific functions and teams reporting to the position may evolve according to business needs and the successful candidate’s experience and strengths. Areas may include Research & Development, Technical Services and Support, Quality, Codes & Approvals, Product Development, Product Management, technical documentation, warranties, and training. The Technical Director provides strategic leadership, technical expertise, and organizational direction across assigned functions. The role aligns technical priorities with business objectives, product strategy, customer needs, and long-term growth initiatives. Through cross-functional collaboration, industry engagement, and technical expertise, the Director helps SOPREMA deliver innovative, high-performing products and systems and maintain a strong technical position in the building envelope industry. The position is part of the U.S. leadership team and includes domestic and international travel as business needs require.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in engineering, chemistry, material science, building science, construction, business, or a related field.
10+ years of progressive technical leadership experience within roofing, waterproofing, building envelopes, construction materials, manufacturing, or a related industry.
Demonstrated experience leading technical teams, functions, projects, or strategic initiatives.
Strong knowledge of building envelope products, systems, applications, testing, codes, standards, product development, or related technical disciplines.
Experience working cross-functionally with areas such as Sales, Marketing, Product Management, R&D, Operations, Quality, and/or Manufacturing.
Demonstrated ability to develop technical strategy and translate it into actionable business priorities.
Strong leadership, communication, presentation, decision-making, and problem-solving skills.
Ability to communicate effectively with executive leadership, technical professionals, customers, and other internal and external stakeholders.
Ability to travel domestically and internationally as business needs require.
Ability to drive long distances and fly on commercial aircraft.
Ability to speak to large groups and communicate clearly by phone, in person, and in writing.

Nice To Haves

Advanced degree preferred.
Experience working within a manufacturing environment preferred.

Responsibilities

Partner with the CEO – U.S. Operations and senior leadership to establish and advance SOPREMA U.S.’s technical vision and strategy.
Provide leadership, guidance, and strategic direction across assigned technical functions and teams.
Evaluate technical functions’ structure, capabilities, resources, and priorities, and recommend improvements.
Develop and mentor technical leaders and teams while fostering accountability, collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement.
Align technical priorities and resources with company strategy and business objectives.
Serve as a senior technical advisor to executive leadership on technical, product, market, and organizational matters.
Maintain communication and collaboration with SOPREMA Group technical leadership internationally.
Lead and support product development, innovation, technical services, and other assigned technical initiatives.
Evaluate emerging technologies, materials, systems, and industry trends that may affect products or growth.
Support development and commercialization of new products, systems, and technologies.
Provide technical guidance on product performance, testing, codes, approvals, quality, specifications, warranties, and related requirements.
Establish appropriate technical processes, standards, and resources to support products and systems.
Serve as a technical authority for complex product, system, application, or performance matters.
Identify ways to strengthen technical capabilities and competitive position.
Partner with Sales, Marketing, Product Management, Operations, Procurement, and other departments to align technical priorities with business needs.
Support business growth initiatives with technical expertise and guidance for internal teams and customers.
Lead or participate in strategic cross-functional projects and initiatives.
Translate complex technical information into clear recommendations for executive leadership and stakeholders.
Evaluate technical, operational, market, and business information to support decision-making.
Help identify and resolve technical challenges affecting product performance, customers, manufacturing, or business growth.
Support technical evaluations related to potential acquisitions, partnerships, suppliers, or new business opportunities as needed.
Represent SOPREMA with customers, industry organizations, technical committees, suppliers, and other external stakeholders.
Maintain awareness of industry developments, competitive technologies, standards, codes, and market trends.
Participate in technical presentations, industry events, conferences, standards organizations, and customer meetings as appropriate.
Build relationships with external technical partners, laboratories, agencies, suppliers, and industry organizations.
Support technical training and knowledge development across the organization.
Provide direct and/or indirect leadership to assigned technical teams and functions.
Participate in hiring, development, succession planning, and organizational planning for assigned areas.
Establish objectives, priorities, budgets, and performance expectations for areas under the Director’s responsibility.
Promote collaboration and knowledge sharing across SOPREMA U.S. and global technical teams.
Participate as a member of the U.S. leadership team and contribute to broader strategic business initiatives.
Assume responsibility for additional technical functions, teams, or strategic initiatives as organizational needs evolve.