Technical Service Manager Americas

Synthomer is a leading supplier of high-performance, highly specialised polymers and ingredients that play vital roles in key sectors such as coatings, construction, adhesives, and health and protection – growing markets that serve billions of end users worldwide. Headquartered in London, UK and publicly listed there since 1971, we employ c.3,900 employees across our 5 innovation centres of excellence and more than 29 manufacturing sites across Europe, North America and Asia. Around 20% of our sales volumes are from new and patent protected products.

At our innovation centres of excellence in the UK, Germany, China, Malaysia and Ohio, USA we collaborate closely with our customers to develop new products and enhance existing ones tailored to their needs, with an increasing range of sustainability benefits. Since 2021, we have been proud holders of the London Stock Exchange Green Economy Mark, which recognises green technology businesses making a significant contribution to a more sustainable, low-carbon economy.

Summary

Execute the technical strategy to support the implementation of the growth plans and objectives of the Coatings business and direct technical support to customers and necessary internal contacts. Serve as technical expert in the defined application segment of coatings.

Main Accountabilities

• Provide direct technical support to customers and handle customer enquiries for the Coatings Business covering aspects such as product specification, design issues and complaints.

• Participate and influence new product development decisions for the Coatings business, liaising with internal technical teams and providing expert advice on future applications. Keep abreast of market developments and competitive products, through internal and external sources, relating to how products perform, can be applied or tested and assess how this can be used to add value to the business.

• Serve as technical and applications expert, providing greater understanding of the Industry Segment products via in depth training, within the company and to our Distributors.

• Develop guidelines and formulations for target segments and applications and give customers appropriate guidance for the use of our Product Range.

• Maintain contact with existing and prospective customers, either independently or together with the sales team, using all communication channels. Support the current business, understand customer needs, identity and progress opportunities to expand the use of the entire product range.

• Participate on the technical committees of the regional coatings organizations to increase our exposure there.

• Ensure with cooperation between Quality, Sales, Application Laboratories and Operations that customer complaints are handled effectively and to the satisfaction of the customer and ensure effective communication of the outcome.

• Ensure SHE compliance in line with relevant internal SHE regulations and all other legal and corporate standards

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Science based discipline required. Master’s degree preferred.

• Minimum five years’ experience in a coatings formulation role preferably with previous experience in technical service for the coatings industry.  Seven to ten years’ prior experience preferred.

• A proven ability to build and sustain good business relationships, to sell ideas, products and services.

• A technical background in polymer chemistry and/or in the coatings to understand customer needs in new market segments and to translate this to new product development requirements.

• Outstanding interpersonal skills: strong ability to summarize key messages for business activities or product advantages.  Confident and articulate presenter.

• Full commitment to business integrity, customer value, teamwork, innovation, and diversity, equity and inclusion (DE&I).

• A mission-driven, team player with the desire to make an impact and difference.

• Excellent MS Office software experience, CRM and planning tools (e.g. C4C, Salesforce, Arkieva).

• Valid driver’s license and ability to travel up to 30%.

• Ideal candidate will be located in Ohio and/or Midwest close to customer clusters and Technology Team, within driving distance of a major airport.

🌍 Global Benefits Overview

• 💰 Competitive, market-aligned compensation

• 🎯 Discretionary global bonus scheme

• 📈 Discretionary Long-Term Incentive Plan (LTIP) – for senior positions

• 🚗 Company car or car allowance – varies by region and role

• 🩺 Healthcare – tailored to regional locations

• 👶 Parental leave and family support – maternity, paternity, adoption (aligned with regional policies)

• 🏡 Working options – flexibility where it matters, based on role and business needs

• 📚 Learning & development opportunities – training, online platforms, buddy/mentorship programs, Internal Synthomer University with L&D offers

• 💙 Wellbeing support – employee assistance program (EAP), mental health resources, wellbeing initiatives

• 🌱 Retirement / pension contributions – plans vary by country

• 🤝 Culture of Inclusion – where everyone can thrive

• 🏆 Performance culture, global reward & recognition programmes