R&D MANAGER - ARIETE

The R&D Manager will oversee the research and development process for creating new products or improving existing ones in the small home appliances sector, ensuring products meet quality, cost, and timeline objectives.Main Responsabilities: - Research: Collaborate with Marketing and Design teams to identify consumer needs, trends, and competitor offerings. Stay updated on advancements in technology and materials relevant to small home appliances. - Idea Generation: Lead brainstorming sessions and work with cross-functional teams to generate innovative ideas for new products or product enhancements. - Product Development: Manage the entire product development cycle from conception to commercialization. Coordinate with engineers, designers, and suppliers to ensure products meet quality, cost, and timeline objectives. - Prototyping and Testing: Oversee the prototyping and testing of new product concepts to validate functionality, performance, and user experience. Iterate designs based on feedback and test results. - Regulatory Compliance: Work with the Standards & Approval team to ensure products comply with industry regulations and standards related to safety, performance, and environmental impact. - Collaboration: Work closely with Marketing, Purchasing, Sales, and Production teams to align product development efforts with market demand and production capabilities. - Budgeting and Resource Allocation: Manage R&D budgets and allocate resources effectively to execute projects and maximize return on investment. - Intellectual Property Management: Identify opportunities to patent new inventions or design elements to protect intellectual property and maintain a competitive market advantage. - Continuous Improvement: Implement continuous improvement processes in product design, development methodologies, and innovation practices. - Stakeholder Communication: Communicate progress, challenges, and opportunities to senior management and other stakeholders, providing regular updates on R&D initiatives and project goals. - Coordination and management of suppliers in China.The ideal candidate should have the following experience and characteristics: - Bachelor's degree (or equivalent) in Mechanical Engineering - Fluent in English (mandatory) - Experience in designing mechanical components and systems - Previous experience in dealing with suppliers in China - Proficiency with 3D design tools (preferably Siemens NX) - In-depth knowledge of plastic materials - Understanding of mechanical processing technologies, plastic deformation, injection molding of plastics, and die casting - Familiarity with rapid prototyping technologies - Knowledge of mass production product development - Experience with laboratory equipment and test result evaluation - Preferable knowledge of simulation tools (MOLDFLOW, FEM Analysis) - Personal approach: creative and innovative problem solver; flexible and adaptable with excellent time management skills; team player; self-motivated; - Willing to travel -Strong awareness and demonstrated accountability on cyber security and information protection principlesBenefits: - Wellbeing initiatives (engagement survey, welfare program, health insurance) - Work-life balance (flexible work hours, smart working); - Learning & Development opportunities (hard and soft skills training, performance appraisal, internal job posting, international career paths) - Partnerships and shopping programs (special price for company products, external partnerships & discounts, smart lockers,...) - Meal ticketsWhat we offer: - Transparent Compensation: We offer a salary aligned with your expertise and dedication, fostering equity. Our salary range for this position is 50.000-65.000, plus MBO, and the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CCNL) is metalmeccanico. The final offer and classification level may vary based on objective and gender-neutral criteria, such as the candidate's skills, seniority, background and the qualifications for the job.We are an Equal Opportunity Employer, we reject and condemn any form of discrimination including discrimination based on age, gender, sexual orientation, health, race, nationality, cultural background, political opinions and religious beliefs, and membership of associations and trade unions