Director, R&D and Quality

Description

Director, R&D and Quality – Asphaltic/Metal Roofing Products

IKO Industries Ltd. is a market leader in the manufacturing of roofing and building materials. IKO is a Canadian owned and operated business with production facilities worldwide and has many years of unparalleled success in the roofing materials industry. Quality, integrity, and trustworthiness are the values that underlie this success, and we have built this company by hiring people who hold these values.

Position Overview:

We are currently seeking a Director of R&D and Quality – Asphaltic/Metal Roofing Products to join our NA Operations leadership team. IKO’s portfolio of Asphaltic/Metal Roofing Products includes Residential Shingles and Accessories, Stone-Coated Metal Roofing, Modified Bitumen Commercial Roofing and Built-Up Roofing Systems.

Reporting to the Vice President of R&D and Quality - North America, this role will provide technical leadership for existing and new products within our Residential/Commercial Products portfolio. The role will focus on business growth through the development of new products/processes, quality management for both our finished products and incoming raw materials, and the support of a more resilient supply chain for our asphalt-based building products. The Director of R&D and Quality - Asphaltic Products will lead a team of scientists, engineers and technicians, working across a cross-functional organization to achieve our business goals. The successful candidate will also act as a technical liaison with our Residential and Commercial Products Sales group in Canada and USA.

Responsibilities:

• Innovation – Lead technical activities for new products in support of company objectives with a focus on product improvements, product line extensions and new technology identification/development.
• Leadership Skills - Proven leadership and team management abilities. Strong strategic thinking, decision-making, and problem-solving skills.
• Project Management – Strong project management skills, with experience leading multiple projects simultaneously. Proficiency in project management tools and methodologies.
• People Development – Effectively coach and mentor team members to develop technical skills, leadership and behavioral skills consistent with company and team culture.
• Technology – Staying abreast of market and industry trends by monitoring industry patent activity/scientific literature, attending Industry Association meetings/trade shows and engaging material suppliers/equipment vendors.
• Collaboration – Maintain cross functional relationships with Engineering, Operations, Sales, Marketing and Supply Chain to drive corporate strategy, new equipment and technology validation, raw material testing and approval, new product development/approval and assistance with quality issues.
• Operational Excellence – Lead the organization towards excellence in HSE, People Development, Quality, Customer Service and Costs to drive the future growth of the company.
• Quality – Optimizing product quality through the IKO Quality Management System – leading continuous quality improvement programs, trouble shooting of field/internal quality issues.
• Codes Compliance – Ensure compliance with UL, FM and other certification bodies, with support from the Codes and Compliance team, through coordinated testing and surveillance programs.
• Facilities – Laboratory design and set up to expand in-house product testing – asphalt oxidation and testing equipment, physical property testing of finished goods, roof assembly tests and other related testing equipment

Qualifications:

• An undergraduate degree in Engineering, Chemistry, Physical Sciences or other related technical discipline is required, graduate level degrees would be an asset.
• 10+ years of leadership experience in R&D/manufacturing/supply chain roles.
• History with asphalt and asphalt and/or metal roofing manufacturing operations would be an asset.
• Experience with quality management systems in a manufacturing environment.
• A track record of strong cross-functional collaboration with purchasing, plants, supply chain and marketing.
• Travel is required for the role (30%), primarily to sites in Canada and the US.

Skills & Experience:

• Chemical formulation expertise including knowledge of asphalt materials/modifiers/additives, coatings and process technologies.
• New product development process experience.
• Test equipment knowledge and test method development.
• Safety compliance and procedures knowledge.
• Elementary concepts in building envelope system technology.
• Results driven mindset coupled with a strong work ethic.
• Strong analytical skills to identify problems, resolve issues and mitigate risks in a dynamic environment.
• Comfortable working in a matrix reporting structure.

This role will be based at our Corporate Research & Development facility in Brampton, ON.

Benefits of Employment: IKO recognizes that its success is due to the strength of its employees. A primary goal of IKO is to promote individual employee's sense of accomplishment and contribution so that employees enjoy their association with IKO. The Company invests in its employees so that they are the most knowledgeable in the industry, and undertakes great efforts to nurture loyalty to, and teamwork at, IKO. We are pleased to offer competitive compensation, health care, a progressive and challenging workplace and a commitment to teamwork and integrity.

Diversity and Equal Opportunity Employment: IKO Industries Ltd. is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to diversity and inclusion and are pleased to consider all qualified applicants for employment without consideration to race, religion, creed, color, national origin, age, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status or disability. IKO Industries Ltd. encourages and welcomes applications from people with disabilities. Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process.