This business is a fast-moving unit in which technological development plays an important role. The purpose of the job of the Technology Manager Hydrogen is to make sure that:
- The R&D portfolio is in line with the overall vision & strategy of the business (X+1 and X+5), having as well short term (market leadership) as long-term (technology leadership) projects
- Lead and manage/coach the R&D team within the Hydrogen organization, running the different projects and tasks
- These projects can be cross-functional, inter-disciplinary, open innovation with third parties (e.g. institutes, universities, consortia, subcontractors, suppliers…)
- Keep track of relevant technological progress and innovation
- Technology projects are properly managed
- There is a close collaboration with the different players involved: VP Hydrogen, Strategy Manager, Commercial Manager, Account Managers, Product & Application Managers, Operations, Process & Quality
ORGANIZATIONAL CHART
+VP Hydrogen
++ Technology Manager Hydrogen
+++ R&D Project Managers PTL + R&D technician (1)
+++ R&D Project Managers MEA
TASK DESCRIPTION
DESCRIPTION OF THE ACTIVITIES & SCOPE OF AUTHORITY & PERFORMANCE INDICATORS
MAIN ACCOUNTABILITIES
1. Knowledge management
- To acquire broad knowledge of specific technological knowhow (electrolysis, cell components, coating technologies, …) and developing domain-related in depth theoretical and practical knowledge of (new) processes, (new) products, (new) equipment
- Assures that technology and market knowledge relevant for the Hydrogen unit is gathered/updated from within Bekaert and from the external world
- To look outside Bekaert for opportunities for technological breakthroughs and innovation. Organize technology transfer projects
- Identifies and communicates about knowledge needs in the context of R&D projects
- Translate basic knowledge into applied technology
- Builds up internal knowledge network
- Builds up external knowledge network (with universities, JDA partners, strategic customers, subcontractors, suppliers)
- Manage the knowledge gathering and documentation of the R&D team in a structured way
- Make information and documentation accessible for the Hydrogen community on a need-to-know basis
Performance indicators: knowledge workshops, knowledge documents, marketing–tech meetings, steering committees
2. R&D roadmap in line with business strategy
- Collaborates closely with Product & Application Managers to translate X+5 business strategy to X+5 product roadmap
- Builds and manages the R&D project portfolio to achieve milestones on X+5 product roadmap
- Makes sure that the right products and processes are being developed for the implementation of the X+1 and X+5 plans
- Prioritize the R&D project portfolio according to resources available & in alignment with the overall Hydrogen strategy
Performance indicators: R&D portfolio with milestones & deliverables, priority list
3. Project management
- Lead the R&D project portfolio in the Hydrogen organization
- Implementation of the R&D roadmap according to the appropriate approach (DIA, APQP)
- Development in a systematic way, making use of lean development and project-management and make proposals for implementation plans
- Regarding project objectives and team composition, makes sure that project objectives and deliverables are made crystal clear and agreed upon by all parties involved in a structured approach
- Manages the process of building a strong patent portfolio
Performance indicators: technology roadmap in line with marketing roadmaps, patent portfolio, JDA
4. People Management and coaching
- Is the coach and Manager of the Hydrogen R&D team
- Responsible to build and grow the Hydrogen R&D team
- Makes sure that good information and communication practices are established. Clearly expresses expectations to all parties concerned in both project teams and external stakeholders
- Keeps a “Helicopter view”. Always keeps the primary goal in mind, and clearly distinguish between primary issues from secondary concerns
Performance indicators: well coached teams, clear priority setting
5. Budget Management
- Closely follows up the R&D budget and acts where needed
- Makes sure to have realistic data and views on resources, costs, budgets and ensures balanced prioritization with market potentials and sales plans
- Makes well-founded proposals for investments and resources and convinces the parties involved
Performance indicators: Personnel and budget plan
6. Outside-in view (customer focus, ecosystem networking, lead open innovation, create thought leadership)
- Voice-of-Customer: through customer visits, actively collects, and uses feedback from customers to improve products & service, or to create new products
- Uses the BCE methodology to clearly understand the customer needs and requirements, to develop the right product accordingly
- Identifies possible USPs and assesses its strength
- Develops and maintains effective longer-term working relationships with customers
- Act as electrolysis expert in customer projects
- Build a broad network in the field of expertise beyond the direct customers: e.g. peer suppliers (membrane -, catalyst -, carbon GDL producers …), relevant institutes and/or thought leaders (NREL, Fraunhofer, PSI, Julich, Sintef, ...)
- Initiation and coordination of multilateral research projects (e.g. connect with potential partners, apply for project funding, project management, chairing consortia, …)
- Participates in exhibitions, gives conference lectures, establishes Bekaert as thought leader in our field of play
- Follows closely competitor products and evolution
Performance indicators: visit reports, JDA’s, conference lectures, open innovation project portfolio …
CONTEXT DESCRIPTION
- Organization: member of the Hydrogen Leadership Team
- Technology scope: ranges from current field of play (Porous Transport Layers for PEM WE) to adjacent cell components in multiple electrolysis technologies (ao. AEM WE, CO2 conversion, …)
- Work environment with high diversity in process / technologies / products / subco’s and partners
ESSENTIAL SKILLS & COMPETENCIES
- Education: PhD with at least 5Y experience in a technical and/or commercial position within the field of electrolysis
- High degree of broad technical knowledge and experience in PEM Water Electrolysis, including:
- Development of components for PEM Water Electrolysis
- Characterization of various PEM WE components (PTL, GDL, catalysts, membranes, flow fields / bipolar plates)
- Knowledge on performance of various PEM WE components from multiple industry suppliers
- Production and assembly of cell components: membrane casting, formulation of catalyst inks, coating methods, MEA manufacturing, …
- Cell and stack design & integration
- Electrochemical cell and stack testing
- Degradation mechanisms of cell components
- Innovative and creative
- Dynamic personality, performance/result oriented
- People management: coaching & steering of people
- Contribution to effective teamwork
- Good negotiator with all stakeholders involved in R&D projects
- Networking, strong interpersonal and communication skills
- Good knowledge of English