Senior Formulation Manager

Location

Position based in Creil, with possible travel across Europe and internationally.

About NOF Metal Coatings Europe

NOF Metal Coatings Europe is an international leader in high-performance surface coatings (anticorrosion and high value-added solutions for automotive, railway, renewable energy, construction, and industrial applications).

As a subsidiary of a globally recognized Japanese group, we operate in France, Germany, Italy, Belgium, Spain, and Brazil. Our ambition is clear: accelerate sustainable innovation and expand our technological portfolio beyond our historical product lines.

Your Mission

We are looking for a Senior Formulation Engineer with strong technical expertise and strategic vision, capable of:

• Leading product and process innovation
• Structuring and strengthening formulation activities
• Managing and developing technical teams
• Identifying and driving new innovation streams beyond current product ranges
• Supporting the transformation toward higher value-added solutions

You will play a key role in the European R&D dynamic, working closely with Technical Management, Production, Sales, and Group stakeholders.

Your Responsibilities

Technical Leadership & Management

• Lead and develop the formulation team
• Structure R&D priorities aligned with the European strategy
• Define methodological standards (DoE, validation, industrialization processes)
• Foster a culture of innovation and scientific excellence

Innovation & Strategic Development

• Contribute to develop next-generation coatings (performance, sustainability, CO₂ reduction, regulatory compliance)
• Explore new markets and applications beyond historical product lines
• Identify opportunities for technological diversification
• Provide strategic recommendations to management regarding R&D investments

Business Interface & Industrialization

• Translate market needs into technical roadmaps
• Collaborate closely with commercial teams and key customers
• Support industrial transfer of new formulations
• Ensure robustness, traceability, and performance of developed solutions

Operational Excellence & Compliance

• Oversee testing methods and characterization tools
• Ensure regulatory compliance (REACH, HSE, international standards)
• Guarantee quality and reliability of internal and external technical deliverables

  Profile

  • Engineering degree in Formulation, Materials Chemistry, or Surface Science
  • Significant experience (minimum 8–12 years) in a technical industrial environment
  • Proven experience in team management or complex project leadership
  • Experience in developing new product lines or diversification initiatives is highly valued

  Key Skills

  • Strong expertise in formulation (organic and inorganic raw materials, polymer chemistry, zinc flake technologies, ceramics, coating processes)
  • Proficiency in Design of Experiments (DoE), statistical analysis, and modeling
  • Strategic mindset with the ability to structure an innovation roadmap
  • Natural leadership skills with the ability to align and drive teams
  • Strong business acumen and understanding of industrial challenges

  Languages

  Fluent English is mandatory (international environment and Group interactions).

  Additional European languages are considered a plus.

  What We Offer

  • A strategic role at the heart of the Group’s technical transformation
  • International exposure
  • A demanding and stimulating industrial environment
  • Attractive compensation aligned with the level of responsibility