Technical Manager

Reporting to the Global Technical Director, the Coating Technical Manager will provide operational and people management for a team consisting of Technical Subject Matter Experts, including Coating Engineers, Coating QC Inspectors, a Document Controller, and a Laboratory Testing Coordinator.

The role holder will ensure departmental goals align with company-wide objectives, oversee day-to-day operations, develop talent, and drive continuous improvement across the function.

Key Accountabilities

The role holder shall:

• Provide strategic leadership by developing and implementing departmental plans to meet organisational objectives, translating corporate strategy into actionable departmental goals and KPIs.
• Provide effective people management through leadership, mentoring, and fostering a positive culture of teamwork, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Work with the Global Technical Director to define the technical competency standards to which the company shall operate and ensure these are regularly reviewed through continuous improvement programmes.
• Technical competency implies activities are conducted in a manner that is fit for purpose, safe, and sustainable.

Major Responsibilities:

• In collaboration with the Global Technical Director and project teams, identify the appropriate Coating Engineer to lead technical documentation and testing activities for each project.
• Oversee day-to-day departmental operations, ensuring efficiency and quality of output.
• Review, develop, and improve departmental processes and workflows.
• Maintain a critical understanding of the regulatory environment and current and emerging trends relating to coating materials, technologies, and applications that are of strategic importance.
• Ensure compliance with company policies, health & safety regulations, and relevant industry standards.
• Monitor departmental expenditure, approve spending, and manage budgets in line with agreed constraints.
• Conduct regular performance evaluations of departmental staff.
• Support recruitment, onboarding, training, and development activities in partnership with HR.
• Represent the department in cross-functional meetings and collaborate with other senior leaders.
• Build and maintain effective relationships with clients, suppliers, and external partners.

Health, Safety & Environment

• You have a duty to take care of your own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by your actions at work.
• You will carry out assigned tasks and duties in a safe manner, in accordance with instructions, and comply with all Health, Safety & Environmental rules, policy, procedures, regulations and codes of practice.
• Ensure that you follow any instructions or health, safety & environmental training provided by the company and report any hazards, injuries or ill health that present a serious and imminent risk and inform your line manager about any shortcomings you identify within your health and safety arrangements.

Job Specific Education Required:

• Science based bachelor’s degree or equivalent

Work Experience Required:

• Experience managing a technical, operational, or specialist department.
• Minimum of 10 years’ experience in departmental or functional management.

Skills & Knowledge Required:

• Strong leadership and strategic planning capability.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills; confident presenter.
• Demonstrated ability to manage budgets and allocate resources effectively.
• Proven ability to lead teams, resolve conflict, and drive performance.
• High levels of organisation, attention to detail, and problem-solving capability.
• Strong influencing and people management skills, with credibility at senior level.
• Ability to work effectively across disciplines and build internal and external relationships.
• Ability to translate market and client needs into material and process performance requirements.
• Experience operating within structured business management systems and translating high-level organisational strategy into realistic, actionable plans.