ASC Member Job Board

R&D Manager - ITW Performance Polymers  Danvers, MA

Posted: 4/27/2026

Job Description:

The R&D Manager is a key contributor to the successful development and execution of major innovation growth initiatives for the ITW Performance Polymers Division. This role is responsible for understanding emerging market and technology trends, interfacing with customers, sales, and marketing teams, and leading the development and commercialization of differentiated adhesive and coating products.

The R&D Manager brings best in class ideation and innovation methodologies to deliver a strong pipeline of customer focused solutions that address unmet needs and build a sustained, differentiated product portfolio. This role offers an accelerated career growth path toward a top R&D leadership position within the Division, part of a Fortune 200 organization!

ITW’s Business Model & Culture

• We have an environment shaped by our decentralized, entrepreneurial culture that brings our exciting ideas to life. Our people thrive in our “flexibility within the framework” approach.
• We are committed to providing you with growth and development opportunities that maximize your unique potential.
• Our culture empowers you to think and act like a business owner – we want your entrepreneurial spirit to thrive!
• Be a part of One ITW/One Team, where everyone’s contribution matters in our quest to achieve our full potential.
• We live by our Core Values: simplicity, sharing risk, integrity, respect, and trust.

You Might Like this Job If You Are/Have…

• Are an entrepreneur and self-starter – you enjoy taking ownership of your surroundings and constantly seek to find ways to improve.
• Thrive in a fast-paced environment that keeps you on your toes – you love a good challenge and stay calm under pressure.
• Are passionate about people management and collaboration. You enjoy working with others and find satisfaction in helping to develop the skills and capabilities of those around you.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

Innovation & Product Development

• Define and execute customer-based innovation strategies to commercialize differentiated products, improve existing products, and solve complex material related challenges in line with division objectives.
• Lead the development of new adhesive and coating products across acrylic, epoxy, urethane, polyester, and hybrid technologies.
• Collaborate closely with Marketing and Sales to translate Voice of Customer (VOC) insights into robust technology and product roadmaps.
• Drive prioritization and timely execution of innovation programs supporting the Plexus and Devcon brands.
• Apply formal innovation processes (e.g., stage gate) to manage the innovation pipeline and ensure disciplined execution.

Cross Functional Collaboration & Quality Support

• Partner with Operations, Sourcing, and Quality teams to ensure product robustness, manufacturability, and consistency.
• Review and approve formulation adjustments, raw material changes, process modifications, and testing procedure updates to maintain product conformance and reduce rejects.
• Serve as a technical resource to internal and external customers to resolve material quality and production related issues.

Leadership & Department Management

• Actively manage the Danvers R&D department, including people leadership, budgeting, and CAPEX planning, to achieve division innovation goals.
• Build, mentor, and develop a high performing R&D team aligned with current and future business needs.
• Create and sustain a digital, inclusive, collaborative, and inspiring working culture that encourages creativity and accountability.
• Promote, support, and adhere to all safety, environmental and quality related policies and procedures. 

QUALIFICATIONS, SKILLS & COMPETENCIES:

• Master’s degree in Chemistry, Polymer Science, or Chemical Engineering required
• Ph.D. preferred
• 10–12+ years of progressive experience in adhesives and/or coatings R&D, including development of differentiated commercial products.
• Demonstrated success leading technical teams and delivering new product launches.
• Strong familiarity with innovation funnels, stage gate development processes, and product lifecycle management.
• Experience working with suppliers and maintaining ISO and IATF quality standards.
• Strong technical expertise in polymer chemistry and formulation development.
• Proven leadership, project management, and change management capabilities.
• High intellectual curiosity with excellent problem solving and analytical decision-making skills.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present effectively to senior management and customers.
• Ability to work effectively in a cross functional, matrixed environment.
• Willingness and ability to travel up to approximately 20%, including occasional short notice travel.

For more details, including Compensation information, and to apply, CLICK HERE.

At Henkel, you’ll be part of an organization that’s shaping the future through innovation, sustainability and collaboration. With our trusted brands like Persil®, ‘all®, Loctite®, Snuggle®, and Schwarzkopf® and our cutting-edge technologies, you’ll have countless opportunities to explore new paths and grow. 

This position is with our Adhesive Technologies business unit – where we empower our people to transform industries and provide our customers with a competitive advantage through adhesives, sealants and functional coatings. 

Dare to learn new skills, advance in your career and make an impact at Henkel.  

What you´ll do

• Responsible for product recommendations, customized products applications, new product demonstrations and troubleshooting for customers.
• Consult customers on solutions generating value for their use cases.
• Perform technical visits (meetings, audits, demonstrations, troubleshooting, etc.) for customers with documentation in the CRM tool and the LIM system.
• Work with application equipment to provide solutions to enhance customer adhesive related processes.
• Leverage customer feedback to drive optimization in customer service and identify new business opportunities for sales colleagues.
• Reports quality issues / customers' claims to relevant parts of the organization (incl. CCMS/CAPRIS).
• May supervise the laboratory work (incl. prioritization) for samples coming from customers, and report technical results to customers.
• Responsible for products application / technical training and coaching of field sales forces and customers.
  Responsible for directly communicating with sales, marketing, PD, Innovation, members of TCS field team or project team members.
• Promote internally SBU innovations and best learnings cross accounts.
• Acts as a trusted technical partner for customers by leading product / technology demos, troubleshooting, and training at customer sites utilizing pre- and post-demo documentation and visit reports to help customers succeed. 
• Collaborates as technical liaison between our customers and our internal team including product development, manufacturing, supply chain, sales, and marketing.
• Provides timely technical support for assigned regional customers including product recommendations, complaint investigations, and analytical problem solving.
• Demonstrates appropriate project management skills by justifying and scoping customer projects, as well as supporting our market areas by driving our innovation and technology pipeline.
• Plans, executes and communicates laboratory requests to support customer / market projects.
• Prepares reports to summarize findings & conclusions and effectively communicates technical information directly to internal and external stakeholders.
• Contributes to the development and successful adoption of new technology platforms for laminating adhesives and coatings by applying deep technical knowledge, industry expertise and customer insights. 
• Provides market-specific expertise through internal and external approaches including involvement in professional societies and industry associations.
• Leads by example in Safety, completing all necessary site and field safety requirements.
• Develops technical and professional skills through ongoing learning, mentoring, and participation in internal and external technical communities.

What makes you a good fit

• BS ChE, ME, MatE, Chemistry or similar degree / experience required.
• Typically, 5-10+ years of technical service, engineering, or industry experience; relevant experience in the Flexible Packaging industry is a plus.
• Hands-on coating and/or converting expertise (mechanical / application equipment aptitude) in laminating adhesives and/or coatings technology area is highly valued.
• Experience in troubleshooting complex / difficult problems.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Excellent people skills; able to work effectively with a range of individuals from manufacturing operators and laboratory technicians through senior management both at customers and within Henkel.
• Excellent project management and organization skills.
• Willing to travel up to ~60%, primarily in the USA and occasionally MX/CAN; with advance planning and support to enable sustainable work-life balance.

Benefits of joining HENKEL

• Health Insurance: affordable plans for medical, dental, vision and well being starting on day 1 
• Work-Life Balance: Paid time off including sick, vacation, holiday and volunteer time, flexible & hybrid work policies (depending on role), and vacation buy / sell program 
• Financial: 401k matching, employee share plan with voluntary investment and Henkel matching shares, annual performance bonus, service awards and student loan reimbursement 
• Family Support: 12-week gender neutral parental leave (up to 20 weeks for parents giving birth), fertility support, adoption & surrogacy reimbursement, discounted child and elderly care, and scholarships 
  
• Career Growth: diverse national and international growth opportunities, access to thousands of skills development courses, and tuition reimbursement

The salary for this role is $105,000.00- $125,000.00. This is the range that we in good faith anticipate relying on when setting wages for this position.  We may ultimately pay more or less than the posted range and this range. This salary range may also be modified in the future.

Henkel does not accept unsolicited resumes from search firms or employment agencies. Unsolicited referrals and resumes are considered Henkel property and therefore, Henkel will not pay a fee for any placement resulting from the receipt of an unsolicited referral.

Henkel is an equal opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, veteran status, genetic information, and other legally protected categories.

For more information, and to apply, CLICK HERE.