Process and Product Industrialization Manager - Solid State Batteries

About Umicore

Reducing harmful vehicle emissions. Giving new life to used metals. Powering the cars of the future. As a global materials and technology group, we apply our specialist knowledge to offer materials and solutions that are essential to everyday life. We aim to be a clear world leader in materials for clean mobility and recycling and have turned our sustainability approach into an even greater competitive advantage. With ambitions like this, imagine what you could do?

About Corporate Research & Development

Driving progress through research. Providing material solutions for the world’s most pressing challenges and anticipating the needs of our customers requires a high level of investment in research. Umicore’s Corporate Research capabilities focus on new materials and processes to address the megatrends of resource scarcity and clean mobility. The nature of research and development implies that we cannot stand still. We need to find new ways to do things, discover new solutions and develop new ideas. Which is where you come in.

What you will be doing

Purpose of the job

As Process and Product Industrialization Manager you translate the needs (scientific, technological, material supply) of the solid state battery incubator into a upscaling and industrialization program and product qualification targets based on deep understanding of relevant process, technology and business model. They contribute to the definition of the strategy and the development of the roadmap of the industrialization program.
The Process and Product Industrialization Manager defines, coordinates, prioritizes, follows-up and documents the execution of the industrialization and the qualification of all processes and products from R&D to mass production, in a sophisticated, multi-disciplinary, multi-platform, international environment, and this within the agreed priorities, scope and budget.
You will report into the CRD Program and Competence Director, Battery Materials located in Olen – Belgium. 

Your detailed responsibilities
Manage and act as central contact point for product industrialization projects:

• Allocate resources, monitor/reports progress and adjust priorities/requirements of a complex, multi-disciplinary, multi-platform/BU program to ensure timing, cost and scope.
• Handle the budget of the assigned program
• Ensure a timely reporting of the project status 
• Responsible for transfer of specific products during the industrialization stages of the APQP and ensure all required checklist items within these stages are achieved.
• Global responsible to set-up the internal control and external specifications of specific products.

Manage and act as central contact point for the upscaling of the process towards Mass Production:

• While running and performing the assigned process engineering projects, provides technological foresight for the relevant program and propose actions to the steering committee to guarantee timely implementation and product delivery
• Translate process criteria (R&D) into detailed process documentation for the CAPEX project
• Set-up and manage network relations relevant for the projects (RTOs, technology providers, suppliers, competitors, peers and customers)
• Process engineering support to the CAPEX project including organization and discussions with equipment suppliers and the selection of the best equipment.
• Contact point for all process related questions from the CAPEX team
• Assist Engineering Project team and Operation team during commissioning
• Implement and control safety rules and quality procedures
• Implement, ensure and maintain Operational Excellence standards in all activities of the industrialization process, and strive for continuous improvement

Who we are looking for

• You have obtained a Technical Master degree (engineering or applied sciences), with at least 3 years of experience in a materials engineering and industrialization field
• Experience in the field of Li-ion battery materials is a plus
• Very good understanding of product development, coupled to an excellent knowledge of industrial processes and equipment 
• Good practical knowledge of safety procedures and best practices
• Able to understand and generate product quality concepts 
• Good knowledge of laboratory analytical methods & equipment.
• Knowledgeable in related disciplines (process control, quality control, …)
• Good project management and organisational skills; focus on scope, budget and timeline
• Strong leadership and people management skills, both in hierarchical and multi-functional matrix organizations to guide the team towards successful and excellent execution
• Firm decision maker with a pragmatic and creative approach in problem solving
• Able to work with deadlines
• Fluent speaking and writing in English, other languages (such as Dutch, French, Chinese, Korean, Polish, Japanese, or Finnish) is a plus

What we offer

We aim to lead the way. Not just for our customers, but for our employees too. That is why we strive to create a collaborative environment in which we can all succeed, and a culture through which we can all share ideas, develop our expertise and advance our careers. We engage in building an inclusive work culture that offers equal opportunities for all employees irrespective of their diverse backgrounds. As you would expect from a world-leading organisation, we will also reward your contribution with a competitive salary and benefits. With all this and more, imagine what you could do?

If my pioneering research can enhance our battery technology, IMAGINE WHAT YOU COULD DO