Turf Fiber Technical Manager

Job Title

Position Overview

Shaw Industries is looking for a Technical Manager to manage technical and innovation initiatives within the Turf Fiber and Color processes supporting Shaw’s Turf business unit.  The Turf Fiber Technical Manager will fill a key role within Shaw’s larger enterprise technical organization collaborating with other leaders on broader initiatives spanning all of Shaw’s flooring businesses. 

Shaw Industries Group, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway, and is a global leader in delivering carpet, hardwood, tile & stone, laminate, synthetic turf, and other specialty products to residential and commercial markets worldwide. We are committed to creating a better future for our customers, our people, our company, and our communities.

Position Overview:

• Manage technical initiatives within the turf fiber and color operations by providing leadership in the following areas:
• Collaborate with Turf sales, marketing and business leadership to understand market drivers and translate these into innovation of new products and platforms.
• Align with vendors and internal sourcing partners for evaluation of new raw materials for enhanced performance, value and sustainability.
• Strategically coordinate all product development to ensure intellectual property (IP) protection is achieved to maintain future competitive advantage in the marketplace.
• Provide technical support for turf manufacturing and fiber color operations  by troubleshooting quality and process issues in order to identify and implement solutions.
• Responsible for coaching and supporting direct reports, providing a motivating work environment, and growing future leaders in the organization.

Responsibilities:

• Coordinate with internal customers (Manufacturing, R&D, Marketing, Sourcing, Sustainability, etc.) to determine performance requirements and target costing for new products.
• Design and coordinate lab studies, pilot trials, and production trials (XRs, MTRs, and TPRs) to develop appropriate fiber extrusion, and turf compound formulations and coatings, backing constructions, and process settings that will achieve performance and costing goals for new products. Follow the development process from inception to product release.
• Interface with customers, Manufacturing, QE, and Tech Services to ensure that the appropriate testing protocols are in place for the finished product.
• Collaborate with manufacturing groups to negotiate priorities and ensure that trials are run efficiently and with minimal impact on scheduled production orders.
• Initiate process and/or product construction modifications for existing products to enhance performance or reduce costs.
• Ensure that the products being developed meet all global safety, environmental, and other regulatory requirements and industry standards, as well as requirements for necessary product certifications by outside entities (e.g., Green Label Plus, Cradle-to-Cradle, etc).
• Interface with Global Sourcing, raw material vendors, and equipment vendors to stay abreast of new technology and exchange information on technical issues regarding raw materials and equipment.
• Ensure that company assets, including supplies, fixed assets, raw materials, and intellectual property, are protected.
• Lead and/or serve on cross-functional teams, product development teams, and technical groups promoting sustainable product design that meets or exceeds all performance requirements.
• Assist in installation and startup of new equipment, as needed.

Foundational Competencies:

• Drive Results
• Deliver Compelling Communication
• Build Trusting Relationships
• Demonstrate Strategic Influence
• Make Effective Decisions
• Lead Change

Requirements:

• Four year degree in polymer chemistry or engineering field is required.
• A minimum of 5+ years' experience in turf/turf fiber OR 10+ years other plastics/extrusion manufacturing experience is required.
• Ability to travel (primarily domestically) - 50%
• Forward-looking, adaptive thinker with a strong, critical mindset
• Exceptional oral and written communication skills, including refined presentation skills
• Strong business acumen
• Demonstrated ability to maintain confidential business information
• Ability to understand major enterprise and business issues and challenges
• Ability to lead and influence a team of cross-divisional internal leaders

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