Job Description

Invisible, Yet Essential

You may not notice our carbon black at first glance, but it is everywhere – in the tires that get you safely to your destination, in the smartphone you use every day, in the paints and coatings that bring color to your home, and in the batteries that power the future. Without it, modern life would come to a standstill.

What you will notice at Orion is our commitment to investing in people. We invest in your development, your ambitions and your future. We provide the environment, support and opportunities that allow you to grow professionally, personally and financially. Your contribution matters here and it is recognized

As Innovation Manager – Cable & Wire, you will play a key role in shaping the future of a strategically important growth area. Within our global Innovation Centre, you will take ownership of our Cable & Wire segment, driving its technical development in close collaboration with international teams, customers and research partners.

Our solutions are used in high-voltage underground and subsea cable systems that enable the expansion of modern power grids worldwide and make an important contribution to the energy transition.

Through your expertise in application development and materials technology, you will be responsible for the technical positioning of our portfolio within the Cable & Wire market, define innovation priorities and make a significant contribution to the long-term competitiveness, differentiation and growth of our business.

Before we dive into the details: the essentials.

37.5-hour working week | Predominantly site-based with occasional mobile working | Permanent employment contract | Cologne, Germany | 30 days annual leave | Salary range: €95,000 – €120,000 (Chemical Industry Collective Agreement)

Your role as Technical Owner – Wire & Cable:

• The energy transition requires reliable and high-performance infrastructure, and you will help shape its future. Leveraging your expertise, you will further develop a strategically important business segment and drive innovative solutions for cable applications worldwide.
• You will own the technical interface with our international key customers in the cable industry. By understanding their development requirements, you will steer technical collaboration from concept through to industrial implementation and successfully position our polymer and carbon black solutions in both existing and emerging applications.
• You will identify new market opportunities, technological developments and future application areas, translating them into concrete recommendations for portfolio development. Your expertise will help expand existing business, establish new applications and support customer acquisition efforts.
• Collaboration is a key part of your success. Together with colleagues from Innovation, Sales, Marketing, Manufacturing and Quality, you will provide technical leadership for important development and optimization initiatives and ensure their successful execution.
• You will define the technological direction of the Wire & Cable segment, contribute to technology and product strategies, monitor market, competitive and patent developments and lead international development and innovation projects.
• During your first months, you will help secure the continued success of an already established business. Building on this foundation, you will develop new applications, unlock additional opportunities and make a measurable contribution to the future growth and strategic development of the segment.
• As Orion’s global reference point for Wire & Cable applications, you will serve as the central knowledge leader for customers, colleagues and sites worldwide. You will shape the technical direction of the segment and establish yourself as the go-to expert for application-related topics.

The profile we are looking for:

• A degree in Materials Science, Polymer Science, Chemical Engineering or comparable discipline provides the foundation for your expertise. More importantly, you bring substantial practical experience in the development, application or technical support of polymer-based materials within an industrial environment.
• As a recognized expert in your field, you understand the requirements of demanding cable applications and ideally have experience within the energy, high-voltage or cable industry. Materials, applications and their impact on end-product performance are part of your everyday work.
• You combine technical excellence with a strong understanding of customers, markets and commercial drivers. You know how to listen, ask the right questions and communicate complex technical topics in a clear and compelling manner.
• Ownership, curiosity and a strong desire to make an impact define your approach. You enjoy driving topics independently, thinking long term and identifying opportunities where others see challenges.
• You thrive in an international environment and enjoy building strong relationships with customers, partners and colleagues around the world. Your communication style is open, reliable and collaborative, allowing you to create trust and credibility across cultures and functions.
• Fluent English (minimum C1 level) and readiness for international travel (approximately 25%) to engage directly with customers, markets and applications worldwide is essential for this global role. Additional language skills are welcome.

Why join Orion?

Performance-related bonus schemes | Six months of continued salary payments during long-term illness | Company pension scheme | Additional care and accident insurance | Occupational health services | Annual flu vaccinations | Preventive health checks | Subsidized on-site restaurant | Individual development opportunities | E-learning programs | Rosetta Stone language training | Complimentary Urban Sports Club basic membership | Company running events | €1,000 employee referral bonus | Orion Carnival Event | Free on-site parking

Questions? Let’s talk.

Christoph Schulz

EMEA Talent Acquisition Manager

christoph.schulz@orioncarbons.com

Please note that we do not accept unsolicited approaches from recruitment agencies.