Technical Director

Technical Director

Role Summary

The Technical Director is a senior technical leadership position responsible for helping shape and execute the technical strategy for SOPREMA’s U.S. operations. This role will provide strategic leadership, technical expertise, and organizational direction across key technical functions while ensuring alignment with SOPREMA’s business objectives, product strategy, customer needs, and long-term growth initiatives.

The Technical Director will report to the CEO – U.S. Operations and work closely with other members of senior leadership to evaluate technical priorities, organizational needs, and opportunities to strengthen SOPREMA’s technical capabilities. The specific functional areas and teams reporting to this position will evolve based on business needs, organizational structure, and the experience and strengths of the successful candidate.

This position requires a broad technical perspective and the ability to lead across multiple disciplines. Areas of responsibility may include functions such as Research & Development, Technical Services and Support, Quality, Codes & Approvals, Product Development, Product Management, technical documentation, warranties, training, and other technical or product-related functions.

Through strategic leadership, cross-functional collaboration, industry engagement, and technical expertise, the Technical Director will help ensure SOPREMA continues to deliver innovative, high-performing products and systems while maintaining a strong technical position within the building envelope industry

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS & RESPONSIBILITIES

TECHNICAL LEADERSHIP & STRATEGY

1. Partner with the CEO – U.S. Operations and senior leadership to establish and advance the technical vision and strategy for SOPREMA U.S.
2. Provide leadership, guidance, and strategic direction across assigned technical functions and teams.
3. Evaluate the structure, capabilities, resources, and priorities of technical functions and recommend opportunities for improvement.
4. Develop and mentor technical leaders and teams while promoting accountability, collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement.
5. Ensure technical priorities and resources are aligned with overall company strategy and business objectives.
6. Serve as a senior technical advisor to executive leadership on significant technical, product, market, and organizational matters.
7. Maintain strong communication and collaboration with SOPREMA Group technical leadership internationally.

PRODUCT, INNOVATION & TECHNICAL EXCELLENCE

1. Provide strategic leadership and support for product development, innovation, technical services, and other assigned technical initiatives.
2. Evaluate emerging technologies, materials, systems, and industry trends that may impact SOPREMA's products or future growth.
3. Support the development and commercialization of new products, systems, and technologies.
4. Provide technical guidance regarding product performance, testing, codes, approvals, quality, specifications, warranties, and related technical requirements.
5. Ensure appropriate technical processes, standards, and resources are established to support SOPREMA products and systems.
6. Serve as a technical authority and resource for complex product, system, application, or performance-related matters.
7. Identify opportunities to strengthen SOPREMA's technical capabilities and competitive position.

CROSS-FUNCTIONAL & BUSINESS LEADERSHIP

1. Partner with Sales, Marketing, Product Management, Operations, Procurement, and other departments to align technical priorities with business needs.
2. Support business growth initiatives by providing technical expertise and guidance to internal teams and customers.
3. Lead or participate in strategic cross-functional projects and initiatives.
4. Translate complex technical information into clear recommendations for executive leadership and other stakeholders.
5. Evaluate technical, operational, market, and business information to support effective decision-making.
6. Help identify and resolve technical challenges that may impact product performance, customers, manufacturing, or business growth.
7. Support technical evaluation associated with potential acquisitions, partnerships, suppliers, or new business opportunities as needed.

INDUSTRY & CUSTOMER ENGAGEMENT

1. Represent SOPREMA as a senior technical leader with customers, industry organizations, technical committees, suppliers, and other external stakeholders.
2. Maintain awareness of industry developments, competitive technologies, standards, codes, and market trends.
3. Participate in technical presentations, industry events, conferences, standards organizations, and customer meetings as appropriate.
4. Strengthen relationships with external technical partners, laboratories, agencies, suppliers, and industry organizations.
5. Support technical training and knowledge development across the organization.

ORGANIZATIONAL LEADERSHIP

1. Provide direct and/or indirect leadership to technical teams and functions as assigned.
2. Participate in hiring, development, succession planning, and organizational planning for assigned areas.
3. Establish objectives, priorities, budgets, and performance expectations for areas under the Technical Director's responsibility.
4. Promote collaboration and knowledge sharing across SOPREMA U.S. and global technical teams.
5. Participate as a member of the U.S. leadership team and contribute to broader strategic business initiatives.
6. Assume responsibility for additional technical functions, teams, or strategic initiatives as organizational needs evolve.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

1. Bachelor's degree in engineering, chemistry, material science, building science, construction, business, or a related field; advanced degree preferred.
2. 10 years of progressive technical leadership experience within roofing, waterproofing, building envelopes, construction materials, manufacturing, or a related industry.
3. Demonstrated experience leading technical teams, functions, projects, or strategic initiatives.
4. Strong knowledge of building envelope products, systems, applications, testing, codes, standards, product development, or related technical disciplines.
5. Experience working cross-functionally with areas such as Sales, Marketing, Product Management, R&D, Operations, Quality, and/or Manufacturing.
6. Demonstrated ability to develop technical strategy and translate strategy into actionable business priorities.
7. Strong leadership, communication, presentation, decision-making, and problem-solving skills.
8. Ability to effectively communicate with executive leadership, technical professionals, customers, and other internal and external stakeholders.
9. Experience working within a manufacturing environment preferred.
10. Ability to travel domestically and internationally as business needs require.

WORKING CONDITIONS & PHYSICAL DEMANDS

1. Driving long distances.
2. Flying on commercial aircraft.
3. Speaking to large groups.
4. Communicating clearly by phone, in person, and in writing.
5. Traveling approximately 25% within the United States.

Reports to the CEO – U.S. Operations