R&D Manager

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