This position provides both managerial and technical leadership in relation to technical service for the Americas. The role is responsible for the overall management of customer technical relationships and monitoring the competitiveness of Tronox TiO2 in terms of product performance.  The position interacts heavily internally with multiple functions, including marketing, sales, manufacturing, customer service, supply-chain and R&D. Regular interactions with customers both remotely and in person (when possible) are critical to continue building upon existing and new relationships. As the Manager of Technical Service, the successful candidate will be the first point of contact for complex technical, quality, and supply issues with a broad range of customers (internal & external).  Specifically, the role requires a person with a strong background in the coatings industry, outstanding communications skills, exceptional detail orientation, B2B customer/supplier facing experience, and the ability to effectively manage through challenging customer issues.  It will be critical to rapidly build a network across functions internally and to leverage and develop technical credibility with customers externally.  As a key technical interface with customers, building upon the outstanding reputation of Tronox with customers is front and center.

Basic Accountability:

• Has overall technical service responsibility for the Americas
• Manages customer accounts for coatings and inks outside pricing and other commercial aspects.
• Develops long range strategic plans for Tronox to enhance profitability and success.
• Manages employee development through selection, defining of career paths, training opportunities and coaching for optimal performance.

Nature & Scope:

• Has responsibility for all Technical Service activities for the Americas.
• Develops and administers annual budget for Tech Service Americas
• Has extensive knowledge of the coatings industry, technical and manufacturing.
• Resolves complex technical problems.
• Develops technical service strategy for the Americas and provides significant input on companywide Technical Service direction.
• Principal Scientist for Coatings
• Technical liaison between the manufacturing facilities, external customers, R&D, Sales and Marketing.
• Selects, develops, and manages performance of staff for the Americas.
• Calm and diplomatic under pressure
• Up to 30% travel potential
• Ability to multi-task, effectively prioritize and bring a sense of urgency

Specific Duties and Responsibilities:

• Regional (Americas) responsibility for all Coatings and Ink customer accounts.
• Engages in long-range strategic planning.
• Responsible for selection and development of staff.
• Assumes a management role in applying concepts of quality management to improving processes and products.
• Prepares and tracks regional operating budget.
• Establishes standards used in the application of quality management to improve processes and products.
• Identifies and support Research and Development projects to enhance quality and maintain competitiveness in the market.
• Responsible for safety and environmental stewardship, code of conduct, corporate citizenship and continuous improvement for the Americas.
• Is a key stakeholder in establishing, maintaining, and communicating specifications.

Education and Experience:

• Position requires a Bachelor’s Degree in a relevant scientific area (usually chemistry or chemical engineering) and 15 years of relevant experience (coatings formulation and manufacturing), a Master’s Degree with 13 years of experience or a Ph.D. with 11 years of experience.
• Must have excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• SAP, DOE and Minitab knowledge are a plus
• Regular application of CRM principles
• Proficient on Microsoft systems (Words, Excel, PowerPoint)
• Adaptable and open to learning new SW applications and platforms