Technical Director

The Opportunity

• Join a leading Italian wood coatings business, investing for growth in the US market
• Highly visible role, reporting directly to the US General Manager
• Emphasis on communications: build strong relationships with internal teams, clients, and industry partners
• Play a key role in managing the technical department, supporting global product development, providing guidance and support to customers, and ensuring compliance with industry regulations
• Outstanding opportunity for career development as the company continues to make strategic investment in its US business

What You’ll Do

• Strategic Leadership: Provide essential insights to the General Manager and the (Italy-based) R&D department to forecast technological developments and assess product competitiveness.
• Product Development: Collaborate with corporate R&D to develop new products that align with market and client needs. Oversee product testing and approval to ensure compliance with quality standards
• Client Support: Work closely with clients, assisting in testing and troubleshooting complex coating cycles. Manage client complaints and provide technical solutions to optimize satisfaction
• Regulatory Compliance: Ensure that all products meet legal and safety regulations, including labeling, transportation, and packaging requirements
• Sales Support: Provide the Sales Network with technical assistance, helping to present and promote new coating cycles to clients. Organize technical training sessions for internal teams, sales staff, and client technicians
• Market Analysis: Conduct regular analysis of market trends, competitor products, and technological advancements to support the company’s growth strategies
• Team Leadership: Manage the technical department, ensuring timely and accurate responses to sales and client needs. Provide technical training to department staff and foster continuous improvement
• Warehouse and Production Management: Oversee quality control in production and manage inventory, recommending the recycling or disposal of slow-moving products

The Profile

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or a related field
• 8+ years of technical experience in coatings - wood coatings experience preferred but not required; meaningful experience in QC, tech service and/or regulatory is required as the foundation for this role
• Proven ability to manage complex projects, oversee technical operations, and collaborate with cross-functional teams
• Knowledge of industry regulations, compliance standards, and best practices.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to assess market trends and adjust strategies accordingly
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to collaborate with clients, external partners, and internal teams. “Persistent and consistent” - you are willing to keep going till you get the answers you need, rather than sitting back and waiting or getting frustrated! This is a highly important attribute
• Purposeful, results-focused, with well-developed prioritization skills
• Willing to work 5 days a week in the Glendale Heights office and travel up to 20-30% domestically – this is NOT a hybrid or remote role
• Passport and willingness/ability to travel to Italy initially for ~2 weeks training