Synthomer is a leading supplier of high-performance, highly specialised polymers and ingredients that play vital roles in key sectors such as coatings, construction, adhesives, and health and protection – growing markets that serve billions of end users worldwide. Headquartered in London, UK and publicly listed there since 1971, we employ c.3,900 employees across our 5 innovation centres of excellence and more than 29 manufacturing sites across Europe, North America and Asia. Around 20% of our sales volumes are from new and patent protected products.
At our innovation centres of excellence in the UK, Germany, China, Malaysia and Ohio, USA we collaborate closely with our customers to develop new products and enhance existing ones tailored to their needs, with an increasing range of sustainability benefits. Since 2021, we have been proud holders of the London Stock Exchange Green Economy Mark, which recognises green technology businesses making a significant contribution to a more sustainable, low-carbon economy.
Innovation Project Manager
Are you passionate about turning ideas into real‑world solutions? Ready to shape the next generation of high‑performance materials and sustainable innovations? If you thrive at the intersection of science, strategy, and cross‑functional leadership — we want to hear from you.
Join us as our Innovation Project Manager, where you will lead impactful new product development (NPD) and innovation projects from concept to commercial launch, working closely with R&D, commercial, operations, and customer‑facing teams.
Why This Role Matters
As Innovation Project Manager, you’ll be the engine driving our innovation pipeline. Your work will accelerate growth, strengthen our customer offering, and support our commitment to sustainability. You’ll ensure every project is delivered with clarity, discipline, and pace — governed through a robust Stage Gate process.
What You’ll Be Doing
Project Planning & Execution
- Develop complete project plans (scope, timelines, risks, milestones) aligned with Synthomer’s Stage Gate process.
- Coordinate technical, commercial, and operational activities to bring new products to market.
- Maintain clear, audit‑ready project documentation and governance.
Stakeholder & Communication Leadership
- Lead and inspire cross‑functional teams with clarity and purpose.
- Provide regular updates to senior stakeholders including the VP Innovation & Sustainability.
- Ensure seamless communication between R&D, commercial, and operations teams.
Risk, Issue & Change Management
- Identify and mitigate risks using structured risk registers.
- Manage scope, resource, and priority changes through appropriate governance.
- Escalate critical issues early to protect project timelines.
Customer & Market Connection
- Translate customer needs into actionable technical and project requirements.
- Partner with commercial teams to validate market fit and ensure smooth customer trials.
Performance Tracking & Reporting
- Track and report progress using KPIs such as timeline adherence, cost to develop, and readiness levels.
- Prepare gate packs and progress projects through established governance milestones.
Continuous Improvement
- Champion best practices in planning, risk management, and resource visibility.
- Promote structured tools including MS Project, Smartsheet, risk registers, and standardised reporting.
- Support portfolio reviews and help build a transparent, efficient innovation pipeline.
What You’ll Bring
Education
- Bachelor’s degree in Science, Engineering, Business or a related field.
- Preferred: PRINCE2, PMP, APM, or equivalent certifications
Experience
- 4–5 years’ project management experience, ideally within:
- Chemicals, materials, coatings, polymers, food and Pharma related technical industries.
- Innovation, R&D, or new product development environments.
- Cross‑functional delivery roles using structured project tools.
Key Skills
- Strong organisational and planning capability
- Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously
- Strong influence and collaboration skills essential
- Excellent stakeholder engagement and communication
- Familiarity with Stage Gate processes
- Strong analytical and technical interpretation capability
- Proficiency with project management tools (MS Project, Risk Registers, Smartsheet, etc.)
🌍 Global Benefits Overview
- 💰 Competitive, market-aligned compensation
- 🎯 Discretionary global bonus scheme
- 📈 Discretionary Long-Term Incentive Plan (LTIP) – for senior positions
- 🚗 Company car or car allowance – varies by region and role
- 🩺 Healthcare – tailored to regional locations
- 👶 Parental leave and family support – maternity, paternity, adoption (aligned with regional policies)
- 🏡 Working options – flexibility where it matters, based on role and business needs
- 📚 Learning & development opportunities – training, online platforms, buddy/mentorship programs, Internal Synthomer University with L&D offers
- 💙 Wellbeing support – employee assistance program (EAP), mental health resources, wellbeing initiatives
- 🌱 Retirement / pension contributions – plans vary by country
- 🤝 Culture of Inclusion – where everyone can thrive
- 🏆 Performance culture, global reward & recognition programmes
Top Skills
What We Do
Synthomer is a business-to-business speciality chemicals producer. We create value for all our stakeholders by applying our expertise and innovation capabilities to provide high-performance water-based polymers and ingredients to a wide range of blue-chip customers in multiple attractive end markets.
Synthomer are headquartered and stock listed in the UK. We have more than 30 operational sites across Americas, Europe, the Middle East and Asia including four innovation centres of excellence. The Company employs around 4,200 entrepreneurial, highly skilled employees with the expertise and experience to drive our success worldwide.
