The Role
Leads regional Science and Technology strategy for Paint and Coatings across EMEA. Manages approximately 20 scientists and S&T professionals, develops laboratory capabilities, drives new product and application development, builds a five-year innovation roadmap, manages intellectual property and technical projects, and coordinates with commercial, marketing, operations, customers, and global teams. Requires strong industry R&D leadership, business acumen, customer engagement, and product development experience.
Summary Generated by Built In
The CompanyImerys is the world’s leading supplier of mineral-based specialty solutions for the industry with €3.4 billion in revenue and 12,300 employees in 40 countries in 2025. The Group offers high value-added and functional solutions to a wide range of industries and fast-growing markets such as solutions for the energy transition and sustainable construction, as well as natural solutions for consumer goods. Imerys draws on its understanding of applications, technological knowledge, and expertise in material science to deliver solutions which contribute essential properties to customers’ products and their performance. As part of its commitment to responsible development, Imerys promotes environmentally friendly products and processes in addition to supporting its customers in their decarbonization efforts.Imerys is listed on Euronext Paris (France) with the ticker symbol NK.PA.The PositionS&T Director Paints & CoatingsJob Summary
JOB PURPOSE:
Drive the regional Science & Technology (S&T) strategy for Paint & Coatings to accelerate organic growth and strengthen market leadership across EMEA.
Lead a multidisciplinary team of scientists to translate customer needs into application solutions, executing a sustainable 5-year innovation roadmap that delivers long-term commercial value for the PM EMEA Business Area
KEY TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Manage a team of around 12 scientists and S&T professionals based in France and the UK to serve a Market with an annual revenue of circa 150 million euros.
- Responsible for developing the necessary technologies and laboratory capabilities to support PM EMEA Paint & Coatings (new products, new applications, new services)
- Participate in nurturing Imerys relationships with PM EMEA customers, in particular customers’ R&D
- Sets overall S&T plan on the PM EMEA Paint & Coatings markets roadmaps issued from Marketing and defines with business the prioritization of technical work and other markets as necessary.
- Works closely with Polymer/Paint & Coatings market VP (and/or delegates) to:
- Drive NPD technical development of PM EMEA Paint & Coatings markets with a focus on mid and long term projects.
- Manage NPD projects for PM EMEA Paint & Coatings markets through Project Management tools.
- Drive strategic technology roadmap for the long term within her/his area of responsibility.
- Build a 5-years Innovation roadmap for Paint & Coatings.
- Ensures tight coordination with PM EMEA Operations and Paint & Coatings markets teams (Commercial, Marketing and Business teams, Technical Services)
- Ensure coordination and collaboration between other PM geographies (Americas, APAC) to avoid duplication and knowledge/asset/skill
- Leads and inspires the S&T team through appropriate management rituals and attracts, develops and retains and provides development opportunities to team members in his/ her perimeter (beyond direct reports).
- Act as a key member of the BA S&T management team in Europe
KEY COMPETENCIES
- Seasoned S&T (R&D) researcher ideally with a PhD or equivalent
- Curiosity and agility to adapt and perform to a broad diversity of market segments
- Technology and/or Paint & Coatings application development
- Experience in data management or AI/machine learning tools would be a plus
- Intellectual property portfolio development
- Strong interpersonal skills
- Strong previous experience in product development from idea to launch.
- Demonstrated capability to deliver results in a challenging environment while keeping the focus on the long term strategy
- Business acumen
- Extensive internal & external technical networks in Paint & Coatings and other related industries
JOB SPECIFICATIONS:
- PhD in Chemistry, Materials Science, Chemical Engineering
- 15+ years of work experience, including 5-10 years of leadership roles R&D roles in industry related to the appropriate markets.
- Previous international management experience will be a strong asset.
- Experience managing large teams of scientists and technicians including at least two layers below his/her/their role.
- Full professional proficiency in English is required; French language skills are a plus.
IMERYS VALUES INTEGRATION:
- Every Person Matters: Foster an inclusive, safe, and collaborative environment across France and the UK, empowering a multidisciplinary team of scientists through active listening, experimentation, and professional development.
- Partner of Choice: Build trusted, long-term relationships with key Paint & Coatings customers’ R&D teams and external technical networks by delivering tailored application solutions, innovative technologies, and reliable technical expertise.
- One Team Together: Break down organizational silos by coordinating across functional teams to translate customer requirements into innovative solutions, share expertise, and speed up project delivery.
- Strive for Better: Drive continuous innovation by leading new product development (NPD), leveraging advanced data management or AI/machine learning tools, and optimizing the technology portfolio to consistently elevate business performance.
- Enablers of Tomorrow: Shape the future of the Paint & Coatings business by driving and executing a 5-year Innovation Roadmap anchored in sustainable formulations, eco-friendly mineral applications, and long-term asset optimization.
and
PermanentOnly technical issues will be monitored through the below inbox:
recruiting.support@ imerys.com
PLEASE DO NOT SUBMIT RESUMES OR APPLICATIONS TO THIS EMAIL, AS THEY WILL NOT BE REVIEWED.
To ensure fairness and legal compliance in our recruitment processes, only applications received through the online application process will be considered.
Skills Required
- PhD in Chemistry, Materials Science, or Chemical Engineering
- 15+ years of professional work experience
- 5-10 years of leadership experience in industry R&D roles related to the relevant markets
- Experience in technology development or Paint and Coatings application development
- Strong previous experience in product development from idea through launch
- Experience managing large teams of scientists and technicians, including at least two organizational layers
- Full professional proficiency in English
- Intellectual property portfolio development experience
- Strong interpersonal skills and business acumen
- Extensive technical networks in Paint and Coatings and related industries
- Experience with data management or AI and machine learning tools
- Previous international management experience
- French language skills
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The Company
What We Do
We are a world leader in mineral-based specialties, offering high value-added solutions to many different industries, ranging from process manufacturing to consumer goods. Our value-added solutions are formulated to meet the technical specifications of each customer and contribute to the performance of a multitude of products in three categories: 1. Functional additives - added to the mineral formulation of customers’ products. 2. Mineral components - essential constituents in the formulation of customers’ products. 3. Process enablers - used in customers’ manufacturing processes, but not present in the end product. These serve many industries such as construction materials, mobile energy, steelmaking, agri-food, automotive, and cosmetics.
