Insulation Pilot Line and Licensees & Affiliates R&D Leader

Job Description

The Insulation Pilot Line Leader and Licensees & Affiliates (L&A) R&D Leader is responsible for (1) overseeing and coordinating all Research and Development (R&D) trials conducted at the Pilot Line, and for (2) managing the L&A R&D team to provide technical support of the global L&A business for OC. For (1), this role is crucial for driving technological advancements, enhancing the fundamental understanding of products and processes, and improving the performance of the fiberglass manufacturing process for the Insulation Business across North America. The primary Pilot Line duties include building and maintaining effective management systems for the operation of the Pilot Line across safety, trial planning, scheduling, resourcing and execution, equipment reliability, inventory management and capability improvements. The Insulation Pilot Line is in Salt Lake City, UT and is operated in partnership with WFEngineering (WFE). For (2), The L&A business generates value for OC by licensing technology, know-how and trademarks to 3rd party companies around the globe and the L&A R&D team enables that value creation by identifying customer needs and then leveraging OC technology and know-how to solve those needs.

The primary role of the Insulation Pilot Line and L&A Leader is to:

• Collaborate cross-functionally with Science and Technology teams to generate technical insights by validating hypotheses, prototypes, and innovative processes, while ensuring safe, efficient, and stable operations of the Pilot Line and safeguarding intellectual property (IP).
• Collaborate with the Manufacturing Support team to provide expertise and guidance in identifying, analyzing, and resolving manufacturing or product-related issues influenced by Pilot Line processes.
• Partner with WFE to ensure streamlined and stable operations of the Pilot Line. Develop, enhance and lead the management systems to oversee equipment reliability, inventory control (critical spare parts, chemicals), and scheduling for both trial and non-trial activities.
• Coordinate resources across teams to ensure safe, stable operations during trials and related R&D activities at the Pilot Line, serving as the primary contact between OC and WFE.
• Support the development and enhancement of the Pilot Line Management System, utilizing it to enable effective and efficient trial planning, execution, and post-trial activities. Identify, propose, document, and manage the implementation of administrative and physical improvements to the Pilot Line based on business needs and outcomes from previous trials.
• Support the Pilot Line Operational and Capital Expenditure budgeting process and oversee its execution.
• Lead the efforts necessary to maintain and grow L&A business by providing expertise in technical, product, marketing and EHS knowledge while protecting IP. Travel to global L&A customer facilities to support commissioning and/or operational improvement of lines with OC manufacturing technology.
  
  

Reports to: R&D Leader

Span of Control: 1 direct report

Job Location: Granville, OH - Science and Technology OR Salt Lake City, UT

Job Responsibilities

Working & Living Safely

• Ensure rigorous compliance to safety procedures and OC corporate policies. Provides timely feedback to WFE personnel when necessary and oversees the implementation of any safety improvements.
• Focus on sustaining a safe work environment for self and coworkers.
• Translate work safety knowledge to personal/home.
  
  

Management Systems and Resource Management for SLC (50%)

• Develop, enhance and lead the management systems to oversee equipment reliability, inventory control (critical spare parts, chemicals), and scheduling for both trial and non-trial activities.
• Collaborate across functions and teams to establish and implement effective processes for executing work and trials, communicating status, addressing risks, and meeting timelines, including standards and procedures to prioritize trials that are aligned to business and technology strategies.
• Map out the operational capabilities of the SLC Pilot Line to enable efficient transitions between product families and fiberizing platforms.
• Work with cross-functional teams to identify operational and scientific gaps that could hinder fundamental work and coordinate the analysis and implementation of solutions for operational or product-related issues influenced by Pilot Line processes.
• Allocate funds to trials and team projects, managing an Operational Expense budget of approx. $2.5 million.
• Assist in prioritizing work and hold trial leaders accountable for meeting clear deliverables and set schedules. Ensure project teams using Pilot Line have the necessary talent and capabilities to achieve their objectives.
• Identify synergies between internal customers of the Pilot Line and other core product and technology platforms to drive efficient execution of the business strategy.
  
  

L&A Business Management (40%)

• Provide technical support to OC’s global L&A customers in all aspects required to operate, maintain and grow their business.
• Identify growth opportunities for the L&A business and build and execute short-term and long-term plans aligned to business initiatives.
  
  

Protect OC Intellectual Property and Ensure Knowledge Capture (10%)

• Hold Trial Leaders and Pilot Line Users accountable for filing Invention Records for all innovations early in the innovation process. Ensure Trial Leaders document and file technical and memo reports related to Pilot Line Trials and R&D activities promptly.
• Ensure communication and business practices with non-OC contacts and with L&A customers is covered under the IP policies defined by OC.
  
  

Job Requirements

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical, chemical or material science engineering field.
• Over 3 years of experience in resource management within operations or equivalent roles.
• Critical thinker who is comfortable challenging the status quo.
• Self-starter who works with minimal supervision, effectively balancing multiple assignments and collaborating across technology, marketing, and production groups to ensure project success.
• Proven ability to multi-task and coordinate several projects simultaneously.
• Excellent interpersonal, leadership, and communication skills, with the ability to convey critical information to influence business leaders.
• Willingness to travel up to 50% of the time to the Pilot Line and to travel internationally to L&A customers facilities with travel schedules typically set in advance.
• Experience working across functions and geographies.
  
  

Desirable Qualifications

• Master’s degree in mechanical, chemical or material science engineering field.
• Strong technical aptitude for manufacturing processes.
• Demonstrated capability to lead project teams to deliver results.
• Experience with fiberglass manufacturing methods, procedures and equipment.