LATAM Technical Manager

Vantage is a leading supplier of naturally derived specialty ingredients and formulations that cater to the evolving needs of industrial and consumer markets. Through our chemistries, our customer focus and our global footprint, we are ENABLING TOMORROW’S SOLUTIONS TODAY.

As a company on the move, you’ll be working as part of a collaborative team and getting to know the cultural diversity of our world. We learn from each other to constantly improve, adapt and iterate. We value the voice and talent of our colleagues by empowering them to drive their unique ideas to completion. We’re convinced that exceptionally motivated employees produce outstanding results. Most importantly, we know you’re going to like it here. For more information visit: or LinkedIn/vantage

Nature and Purpose

Manage the R&D Laboratories at LATAM, in order to align and optimize technology’s initiatives in accordance with the Global R&D strategy and business strategies in the regions, ensuring that the efforts on formulation activities are focus on the key benefits of strategic products.

Have responsibility for the technical team members in all of LATAM.

Support efforts to provide technical support in all the LATAM countries we service.

Science-driven project leader responsible for the planning, management, support and execution of R&D projects at the Vantage Personal Care technology organization in LATAM.

The LATAM Technical Manager will work closely with other functions in the Personal Care organization – including New Product Development, Marketing, Product Management, Manufacturing Technology, Legal, Regulatory, Sourcing, etc.

This role will require flexibility to travel to other Vantage lab locations and traveling to meet with customers at their sites and tradeshows.

Responsible for ensuring close alignment with the Global NPD team, as well as collaboration with the LATAM commercial team.

This role will require cross-functional collaboration between business units, plant sites, suppliers, and external partners to help solve customer’ challenges, as well as to drive optimization effectiveness of process/procedures and best practices associated with application/formulation development.

Responsibilities

Management of the activities developed by Application Laboratories in LATAM, focus on strategic technologies and creating market relevant concepts to highlight technical features and products benefits.

Leading the team to achieve the goals and objectives of the company and support on their professional development.

Assist and advise the LATAM R&D team, identifying and solving problems.

Technical Support addressing customers/market current and future needs, requirements opportunities, competitive intelligence, and technology trends to achieve effective business opportunities and management, support and execution customized technical project.

Ensure the performance evaluation and/or clinical study design/support for Global New Product Development.

Stimulate cross-functional collaboration between technical team with business units, plant sites, suppliers, and external partners to help solve customers’ challenges.

Leveraging the use of scientific principles, methodologies, new technologies, and deep customer and market insights.

Technical training for sales team and sales representatives for technical on the functionality of Vantage ingredients.

Technical support for sales team and sales representatives with joint visits by personalized assistance, for project monitoring.

Transforming learning and insights into effective business opportunities;

Ensuring a safe work environment through good lab practices.

LATAM technical leader who will coordinate and share with the technical leaders of the other regions for all Vantage businesses – be in direct contact with the Gurnee, Warren, China, France, Carnegie and Englewood teams. **This includes engagement with the Vantage Food team.

Requirements

University: BS degree or equivalent in Cosmetic Science, Chemistry, Pharmaceutical, Chemical Engineering or related field is required.

Specialization or MBA or PhD

Language:

English – Speak, Reading and Writing (Fluent level)

Spanish – Speak and Reading (Fluent level)

Portuguese – Speak and Reading (Fluent level)

Technical Knowledge:

Cosmetology: Strong know-how on development of cosmetic formulation (in various cosmetics segments, Skin care, Hair care, Sun care, Color cosmetics and miscellaneous), providing solutions and adjustments/solutions to customer's formulation, evaluating the compatibility of ingredients and highlighting the benefits.

Desirable knowledge of sensory evaluation/ knowledge of technology transfer.

Skills / Specialized training required:

Minimum of 10-years’ experience in a technical discipline in industry e.g., research, development, technical service, or process development.

Proven Supervisory or Management skills.

Must possess needed analytical and problem-solving skills with a demonstrated successful background.

Must possess good people skills which include verbal and written communication skills.

Must possess needed interpersonal skills with customers and other functions within the business.

Software Knowledge

Office pack (Word, Excel, Power Point), CRM

Other responsibilities:

Responsibility for the SST aspects (Safety and Health at Work) over which it has control)

Comply with the rules, policies and regulations and instructions of the SGC (Management and Quality System), SST and SGCS (Control and Security Management System (SGCS) - Applies only to Colombia).

R-1529