Technical Manager

INTERNATIONAL RECRUITMENT & HR EXPERTS ACROSS THE PLASTICS, PACKAGING, SPECIALITY CHEMICALS, LIFE SCIENCES, BIOPOLYMER, FOOD ADDITIVES & INGREDIENTS, ENERGY AND RECYCLING SECTORS SINCE 1975.

Technical Manager
Location: Gravesend, Kent

Salary: £66,000 to £83,000
Job Role: AZ/65048

The Opportunity:

The Technical Manager is responsible for all technical aspects of the product portfolio. Including developing/selecting formulations and agreeing associated product performance claims, of the product line in the marketplace including MSDSs and associated label elements and the provision of technical service and training to staff and customers in all relevant geographies.

Key Responsibilities:

· Lead the development and deployment of product formulations for own-brand and private label products, ensuring performance standards and claims.
· Product line technical maintenance.
· Build and maintain strong relationships with raw material suppliers, technology partners, and third-party manufacturers.
· Development and management of the product technical strategies focused on cost reduction, efficiency improvements, and product lifecycle management.
· Monitor market and industry trends to identify opportunities relating to performance, pricing, and supply.
· Oversee technical training, product support, and engineering services for internal teams and customers across relevant regions.
· Provide technical guidance to support manufacturing, supply chain, procurement, sales and marketing activities.
· Oversee technical governance, reporting, budgeting, and representation within industry bodies and global technical functions.
· Ensure regulatory compliance across the product portfolio, including MSDS management, labelling, approvals, and OEM requirements.

Essential Qualifications and Experience:

· Degree qualified in Engineering, Science, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering or related field
· Extensive experience in the lubricant segment (Lubes, Greases, Coolant’s)
· Experience in lubricant sector at Deployment Technology, R&D (Research and Development), TS&D (Technical Service & Development) or Customer Technical Support.
· Knowledge of CDP management.
· Strong understanding of regulatory compliance for oil and chemical products (ATIEL, European Specifications – ACEA and OEMs, REACH, VLS, and others)
· Solid knowledge of formulations and raw materials - base oils, additives, petrochemical supply chain market.
· High commercial acumen with strong analytical and strategic thinking skills
· Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to engage stakeholders at all levels
· Proven stakeholder management, prioritisation, project management, and time management capabilities
· Fluent English language skills

Desirable Qualifications and Experience:

· Master’s degree or MBA
· Cross-cultural awareness and international business experience
· Proven negotiation skills and understanding of strategic supplier/customer dynamics
· Experience identifying commercial or technical growth opportunities
· Experience using SAP S/4HANA and Dashboard Development
· Understanding of product lifecycle management principles
· Second language capability

Please understand that due to the expected high number of applications, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted directly

For reasons of better legibility, the simultaneous use of the language forms male, female and diverse (f/m/d) is avoided. All personal designations apply equally to all genders.
For UK roles, candidates must be eligible to work and live in the United Kingdom. Proof of eligibility will be required with your application.

Why select Listgrove?
· Five Decades of Market Intelligence
· Unrivalled Industry Networks
· Recognised International brand
· HR Qualified Professionals

To hear from our clients on how we have supported their search for talent and HR needs, please visit Listgrove’s Case Studies page.

Throughout 2026 & 2027 you can meet with Listgrove at the following exhibitions:
Interpack, France Innovation Plasturgie, Interplas UK, Plast Milan, Fakuma, ArabPlast, NPE 2027.

Performance through People.

Listgrove Limited Registered in England No: (phone number removed)
Only candidates based in UK and eligible to work in UK are allowed