R&D Team Leader

Avery Dennison (NYSE: AVY) is a global materials science company specializing in the design and manufacture of a wide variety of labeling and functional materials. The company’s products, which are used in nearly every major industry, include pressure-sensitive materials for labels and graphic applications; tapes and other bonding solutions for industrial, medical, and retail applications; tags, labels and embellishments for apparel; and radio frequency identification (RFID) solutions serving retail apparel and other markets. Headquartered in Glendale, California, the company employs more than 30,000 employees in over 50 countries. Reported sales in 2019 were $7.1 billion. Learn more at www.averydennison.com.

Avery Dennison is seeking a team leader with a technical specialty in top coat formulation to join the Labels and Graphics Materials Group North America Research and Development team in Mentor, Ohio. In this role, you will bring passion and determination to product development and innovation. As a topcoat formulator, this role will participate in cross-functional project teams to drive new product development from concept to commercialization, as well as cost reduction and business continuity efforts. This role will work closely with marketing, supply chain, operations and quality teams to ensure business success in a leading company where individual and team success are recognized and rewarded. This role will also provide an opportunity to lead a small team of technical specialists and engineers to support the Base business innovation strategy.

Within our execution-focused Mentor Innovation Center, this role will partner with product development leaders and research scientists to develop and optimize coatings for outstanding print performance in the narrow web label market. Numerous analytical methods are at your fingertips. Deeply understanding the science of coatings is a top priority. The market is fast-paced, with internal and external customers pulling for new solutions. The result we are seeking is an Avery Dennison product portfolio that is cost-effective, efficient in manufacturing and differentiated print performance across multiple print platforms. The ideal person for this role thrives with inventing new and differentiated capabilities for commercialization, a passion for people development, continuous improvement mindset and has deep knowledge of top coating technologies.

Key duties and responsibilities:

• Formulate and develop coatings to support product development requirements; plan and execute laboratory and pilot scale research for the development of coatings and technical solutions that deliver the needed characteristics; translate needed characteristics into technical deliverables
• Support the introduction of new coatings into production and provide technical expertise to solve production issues; replicate manufacturing scenarios on a lab scale, support manufacturing and scale up
• Conduct technical comparisons of Avery Dennison products vs. other products
• Collaborate globally with product development leaders and validate Voice-of-Customer to commercialize products with outstanding performance
• Lead, grow and develop a team of 3 new product developers of varying technical subject areas with potential to grow to an R&D manager
• Lead initiatives to improve project performance, NPD process improvements and improve execution metrics.
• Lead the technical development planning and milestones as an input to NPD projects through the stage gate process; work collaboratively with a cross functional team and guide decisions based on technical conclusions.
• Conduct supplier visits and act as the raw material component specialist; work with suppliers to identify the accurate materials for the best formulations
• Conduct experimental studies, communicate scientific approach, convey results with data. Present technical analysis to support product approval and adoption through the Stage Gate process
• Contribute and adhere to EHS standards and policies and connect to Avery Dennison’s 2025 Sustainability Goals

• Degree in Polymer Science, Chemistry, Coatings, Physics, Material Science, Organic Chemistry, Chemical Engineering or a comparable field (Masters, MBA and/or PhD preferred)
• 5+ years industrial experience in the development and formulation of coatings and in performance testing for various applications
• Knowledge of print techniques including Flexo and Digital inkjet
• Experience with Stage Gate process
• Understanding of coating materials using a variety of techniques including coating formulation. Solid understanding of resins, binders, additives, etc. with an understanding of radiation cure technology and other unit operations such as mixing
• Able to characterize coating properties (both chemical and physical) and analyze results from related analytical techniques and other print surface testing instruments.
• High level of chemistry proficiency relating to the surface tension/energy, rheology of polymers, chemical bonding and structure/property relationships
• Self-directed with the ability to manage multiple projects at one time with high accuracy and attention to detail
• Outstanding verbal and written communication skills with ability to communicate and influence all levels of the organization effectively
• Domestic travel up to 30% of time (potential for global)

IND123

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, protected veteran status or other protected status. EEOE/M/F/Vet/Disabled. All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

If you require accommodations to view or apply for a job, alternative methods are available to submit an application. Please contact 440.534.6080 or jacqueline.williams@averydennison.com to discuss reasonable accommodations.