Job Description
At Verhaert On-Site Consulting, we are looking for an experienced Freelance R&D Manager to support a leading manufacturing company active in innovative solutions for the heating, sanitary and building sectors.
This role combines technical product development, project management and team leadership You will play a key role in driving innovation projects from concept to implementation while coordinating an experienced R&D team and collaborating closely with stakeholders across the organization.
Your Responsibilities
- Lead the development of new products and the improvement of existing product lines.
- Translate product and concept briefings into concrete development projects.
- Define project scope, objectives and technical requirements.
- Develop and manage detailed project plans.
- Ensure technical feasibility throughout project execution.
- Coordinate internal teams and external partners.
- Manage project timelines, costs, scope and risks.
- Escalate project issues and propose mitigation plans.
- Create and maintain project documentation.
- Drive projects to successful completion within scope, budget and timing.
- Provide daily leadership and coaching to the R&D team.
- Act as a key point of contact for product development expertise within the organization.
Required Experience
- Master's degree in Engineering or equivalent through relevant experience.
- Minimum 5 years of experience in Innovation, Product Development or R&D environments.
- Proven experience leading multidisciplinary development projects.
- Experience managing and coaching technical teams.
- Strong project management skills.
- Experience with Autodesk Inventor.
- Ability to transform innovative ideas into industrialized products and processes.
- Strong communication and stakeholder management skills.
- Proactive, pragmatic and entrepreneurial mindset.
Strong Assets
- Experience within manufacturing environments.
- Knowledge of extrusion processes.
- Experience with plastic injection molding.
- Familiarity with FMEA methodologies.
- Experience with process optimization tools or enterprise software solutions.
Soft Skills
- Strong leadership capabilities.
- Excellent organizational skills.
- Hands-on approach.
- Ability to operate in fast-changing environments.
- Strong attention to detail.
- Results-oriented mindset.
- Collaborative and constructive communication style.
Assignment Details
- Freelance assignment
- Start: ASAP
- Innovation and product development environment
- Combination of project management, technical leadership and people management
- Long-term impact on product strategy and development
