Global Technical Services Manager Liquid System

We are looking for a senior technical leader to build and lead our global Technical Services function for Carbon Black in Inks, Paints & Coatings. The role will establish an elite, application-driven and customer-facing organization that accelerates product qualification and commercialization, solves complex formulation challenges, and translates market needs into clear R&D and product roadmaps. As the senior technical authority, you will represent the voice of the customer internally and connect Sales, Marketing, R&D, Quality, Manufacturing, Regulatory and Product Stewardship.

Fluent German and English required for senior customer engagement and cross-functional leadership.

• Act as global technical authority for carbon black in inks and coatings
• Lead advanced troubleshooting (dispersion, flocculation, rheology, jetness, gloss, undertone, filterability, rub resistance)
• Design and execute DoE for customer trials and scale-up

• Define global applications lab strategy and best-practice dispersion standards
• Standardize critical test methods and performance benchmarks
• Build structured application data systems for faster technical recommendations
• Translate Voice of Customer into clear NPI briefs and application specifications
• Partner with R&D on surface chemistry, structure optimization and dispersibility
• Develop application maps and recommendation matrices by segment

• Own technical complaint resolution and robust root cause analysis
• Strengthen plant alignment on critical-to-quality parameters
• Improve consistency, reduce Cost of Quality and enhance perceived product stability

• Represent the company at conferences and customer technology events
• Develop technical papers, webinars and tools supporting Sales

• Build and mentor a high-performance global team
• Establish KPIs, SLAs and global operating rhythm
• Manage lab budgets and technical investments

• Master’s or PhD in Chemistry, Materials Science, Polymer Science or Chemical Engineering
• 10+ years experience in carbon black for inks and/or coatings
• Proven technical leadership in global customer-facing roles
• Deep expertise in dispersion science, rheology, color science and application testing
• Strong understanding of regulatory and product stewardship requirements
• Excellent stakeholder management and executive communication skills
• Experience in conductive coatings, EMI shielding, battery coatings or digital inkjet systems.