Technical Manager

About AkzoNobel

Since 1792, we’ve been supplying the innovative paints and coatings that help to color people’s lives and protect what matters most. Our world class portfolio of brands – including Dulux, International, Sikkens and Interpon – is trusted by customers around the globe. We’re active in more than 150 countries and use our expertise to sustain and enhance the fabric of everyday life. Because we believe every surface is an opportunity. It’s what you’d expect from a pioneering and long-established paints company that’s dedicated to providing sustainable solutions and preserving the best of what we have today – while creating an even better tomorrow. Let’s paint the future together.

For more information please visit www.akzonobel.com

2026 Akzo Nobel N.V. All rights reserved.

Job Purpose

Leads technical teams to create new paints and coatings solutions, reformulate existing products, improve durability and sustainability, and ensure compliance with safety standards. This role oversees quality control processes for paints and coatings, ensuring products meet internal specifications, customer requirements, and regulatory standards. The scopes further includes tasks includings supervising laboratory testing, validating raw materials and finished goods, troubleshooting technical issues.

Key Accountabilities

• Develop and execute R&D strategies aligned with business objectives, driving innovation and continuous improvement.
• Lead new product development, formulation, and enhancement of existing products to improve performance, quality, and cost efficiency.
• Evaluate and qualify raw materials, alternative suppliers, and technologies to ensure quality, reliability, and cost optimization.
• Drive new product introduction, overseeing technical development, pilot trials, and successful large-scale commercialization.
• Establish and oversee product testing, quality assurance, and performance validation processes.
• Identify opportunities for cost reduction, process optimization, and resource efficiency while managing R&D projects within agreed timelines and budgets.
• Ensure compliance with applicable quality, environmental, health, and safety standards, including audit management.
• Lead, develop, and mentor R&D and Quality teams, building technical capabilities and fostering a culture of innovation.
• Collaborate with cross-functional stakeholders, including Production, Procurement, Sales, and Marketing, to address technical challenges and support business priorities.
• Oversee technical training, customer support, and resolution of complex product and application-related issues.
  
  

Experience

• Minimum 15 years of relevant experience in R&D, product development, or technical management, preferably in the paints, coatings, or related industries.
• Strong knowledge of R&D methodologies, quality control systems, and laboratory testing techniques.
• In-depth understanding of formulation development, material science, and product performance optimization.
• Proven experience in leading technical teams, managing R&D projects, and driving innovation.
• Strong understanding of industry standards, regulatory compliance, and quality management systems.
• Excellent leadership, communication, analytical, and stakeholder management skills.
  
  

Education

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, or a related discipline.
  
  

At AkzoNobel we are highly committed to ensuring an inclusive and respectful workplace where all employees can be their best self. We strive to embrace diversity in a context of tolerance. Our talent acquisition process plays an integral part in this journey, as setting the foundations for a diverse environment. For this reason we train and educate on the implications of our Unconscious Bias in order for our TA and hiring managers to be mindful of them and take corrective actions when applicable. In our organization, all qualified applicants receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age or disability.