R&D Supervisor

As the largest pureplay adhesives company in the world, H.B. Fuller's (NYSE: FUL) innovative, functional coatings, adhesives and sealants enhance the quality, safety and performance of products people use every day. Founded in 1887, with 2023 revenue of $3.5 billion, our mission to Connect What Matters is brought to life by more than 7,000 global team members who collaborate with customers across more than 30 market segments in over 140countries to develop highly specified solutions that enable customers to bring world-changing innovations to their end markets.

H.B. Fuller Building Adhesive Solutions (BAS) provides technologically advanced solutions to the commercial, industrial, and residential construction industry. The company's recognized and trusted brands are available through an extensive network of distributors and dealers, as well as home improvement retailers.

The R&D Supervisor is the leader for the Willow Lake Infrastructure and Mechanical Research and Development Team. Our Global R&D laboratories have a primary objective of developing and commercializing innovative new products, technologies, and application techniques, as well as ensuring business continuity, completing project work aligned with our global business strategy goals, and overseeing building code and product regulatory approvals. The individual in this role is responsible for the day-to-day management of work including managing a team and overseeing the R&D workflow, and is an innovator, designing products that uphold H.B. Fuller's position as the market leader and puts sustainability at the forefront of our company's actions. They will work in a fast-paced environment with competing priorities, managing multiple tasks concurrently, they are resourceful and self-educating with relationship to product applications & requirements.

The R&D Supervisor will use their in-depth formulating knowledge and technical expertise in technologies used for adhesives, sealants, primers, and coatings used in the Commercial Roofing, Waterproofing, Facade, and Building Envelope markets. This includes formulating expertise and the corresponding test methods used to characterize each formulation and application. In addition, this individual will have in-depth knowledge of the raw materials and manufacturing practices used to develop products and a fundamental understanding of the equipment and dynamics used to deliver these products to the end use substrates for the respective application. The R&D Manager will have as a primary objective innovation project portfolio management, production scale-up oversight, and commercialization of new products and new application techniques. They will support their team efficiently to fulfill the project target milestones following the company innovation stage gate process.

The R&D Supervisor reports to the Americas BAS R&D Director and will represent R&D on the Infrastructure and Mechanical Leadership Team. The position is supported by a global R&D network, professional Product Management & Marketing Team and a Field Technical Service Team, both with extensive market knowledge.

Primary Responsibilities

• Successfully initiating and leading large cross-functional innovation projects with significant business impact, including projects that involve the development of patentable or proprietary technology.

• Utilizing Stage-Gate and internal communication to establish development timelines, driving to a successful completion, on time, and within budget.

• Ability to work on a wide range of problems where correlations are difficult to establish and the use of creative problem solving is required.

• Ensuring business continuity through technical-business project reviews, plant support and new product scale-up, raw material management, technical service support to sales, and lead technical contact for regulatory, codes, and legal/IP support.

• Acting as both an internal and an external technical expert in an industry or technology. Representing the company at industry events and through presentations and publications, as well as acting as a link to outside professional and/or academic institutions.

• Delivering significant value to the company in terms of new product sales and/or intellectual property that has produced tangible benefits (trade secret or patent).

• Coaching, mentoring and performance management to a team of scientists at varying stages in their careers.

• Fulfilling responsibilities as required by the Quality System for the site/business unit.

• Working in a safe and efficient manner

• Travel, up to 20% of the time, to locations including off-site production facilities, supplier or customer sites, and industry association meetings.

Minimum Requirements

• BS degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or appropriate technical degree with 3 years of professional experience OR MS in Chemistry or Chemical Engineering with 1 year of professional experience OR Ph.D. in Chemistry or Chemical Engineering.

• In-depth knowledge of the raw materials used in the development of adhesives, sealants, primers, and coatings.

• Demonstrated track record of achievements in product development.

• Proven history of collaboration, influencing and balancing of multiple stake holders.

• Knowledge of the manufacturing equipment and requirements to produce adhesives, sealants, primers, and coatings.

• Project management experience, including use of a stage-gate process.

• Demonstrated capability in coaching and developing direct reports.

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills and Fluency in English verbally and in written form.

• Experience working directly with customers.

• Ability to take initiative, self-starter, and self-learner.

• Ability to travel up to 20%

Preferred Requirements

• Skilled in typical chemistries as it relates to Commercial Roofing, Waterproofing, Facade or Building Envelope markets - solvent based, water based, pressure sensitive, moisture curing, two-part urethanes, and others.

• Customer market knowledge related to flashing/waterproofing of joints, coatings, and applicable codes and regulations.

• Understanding of the equipment and dynamics used to deliver these products to the end use substrates for the respective application.

• Expertise in customer application methods and equipment used for in-field application of adhesives, sealants, primers, and coatings.

This position is not eligible for work visa sponsorship. Applicants must have U.S. work authorization that does not now or in the future require H.B. Fuller sponsorship of a work visa to work for H.B. Fuller.

Pay is based on several factors including but not limited to education, work experience, certifications, and geographic location.

In addition to your salary, H.B. Fuller offers employees a competitive total rewards package including comprehensive benefits, incentive and recognitions programs, health & wellness benefits, 401K contributions, paid time off and paid holidays. Eligibility may vary.

H.B. Fuller is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer and proud to have created a collaborative culture where employees around the world are seen, heard, and respected. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, disability, or marital status or status as a protected veteran, or any other legally protected classification.

H.B. Fuller does not accept unsolicited resumes from recruiters, employment agencies, or staffing firms. To conduct business with H.B. Fuller, a written service agreement must be executed by Human Resources prior to submitting any information relating to a potential candidate. Without a signed service agreement, H.B. Fuller shall not be obligated for payment of any fee or compensation.