Technical Manager - Agrochemicals
We are looking for a scientist to join our Agrochemicals team as a Technical Manager to lead our technical activity with key customers in the EMEA region.
As a senior member of the technical team this role will provide direction and advice to support the delivery on projects and further development of the skills of our team. The scientist in this role will be part of a highly technical global team that develops and introduces formulation additives for crop protection products. Novel concepts and ideas will come from customers, market requirements for crop protection applications and Innospec innovation teams.
The ideal candidate must be results oriented with the ability to multi-task, be organized and a team player. This role will require frequent interaction with customers and distributors, as well as representing Innospec at conferences.
The successful candidate will have a unique blend of hands-on formulation experience, project management, and leadership qualities. In this role, they will establish long-term relationships with our customers’ technical teams. The position will require travel approximately 30% of the time and will be based in the UK, ideally within a commutable distance to our Ellesmere Port site.
Role Responsibilities
The Technical Manager will be responsible for the technical support needed by the EMEA commercial team to grow the Agrochemicals business. The position will assist the commercial team in strategy definition, project prioritization and must be capable of providing product development and formulating expertise to meet market, customer and regulatory demands. A key aspect is to establish Innospec credibility with customers and assist Innospec distributors in growing their market share. Candidate will be experienced and capable in external customer support, presentations and market intelligence development to enhance Innospec’s product portfolio for the future.
* Be the technical point of contact at our key accounts in the EMEA region and hold regular meetings with the research and innovation teams.
* Visit customers and distributors on a regular basis to support the growth of the business in the EMEA region.
* Provide technical, regulatory and application assistance to Innospec customers and distributors, as required.
* Work with the global technical and commercial teams to define strategy in product development and external customer support to enhance Innospec’s position.
* Provide input on setting product specifications of new products with the product management and manufacturing teams.
* Monitor the regulatory landscape and development and, with the support of the regulatory team, understand the implication for the Innospec portfolio.
* Develop commercially viable formulation additives that successfully meet customer and market demands for performance, economics and regulatory compliance.
* Understand Innospec Performance Chemicals global manufacturing processes and capabilities.
* Provide guidance in raw material specifications and assist the purchasing team to approve new raw material, as required.
* Represent the company at various industry technical events.
Requirements
* Ph.D. in Chemistry, Material Science, Polymer Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Biochemistry, or any other related science fields such as Agronomy and Plant Physiology.
* 10 years or more experience in crop protection formulation and applications, with some deep knowledge of the different additives used in this application
* Understanding and application knowledge of the impact of formulation additives on stability, wetting, penetration and other physical characteristics
* Ability to provide solutions to customer challenges such as formulation stability, multi-active products and changing regulatory requirements.
* Previous experience in project prioritisation and team management is a strong plus.
* Maintain current knowledge of industry trends in sustainability and the impact that new technologies, such as biopesticides, will have on the agricultural business.
* Domestic and international travel will be required.
About Innospec
Innospec is a global specialty chemicals company focused on bringing innovative new technologies to market combined with a fast and responsive service. We serve a range of industries across the world, bringing our products to customers in markets from oilfields, fuels, refineries and power stations to personal care and performance chemicals.
Our global team of approximately 2,000 employees spans 24 countries, applying their extensive experience and market understanding to customers’ local needs. Integrating our global footprint with local service capability enables us to supply quality products that meet and anticipate changing market dynamics.