Modules Production Manager

Who are we? 

Avantium R&D Solutions (RDS) is the leading provider of advanced catalyst testing units and services. For more than 20 years we have been serving  a wide range of global customers, using our extensive chemical and scientific expertise, combined with our process development and engineering skills. We help chemical companies accelerate their catalyst R&D by offering scalable & innovative test systems (Flowrence® and Custom made units) or by conducting in-house R&D catalyst testing services.

Over the past few years, we also started offering R&D solutions in the field of sustainable chemistry. With our unique capabilities in innovative chemistry R&D and engineering, we are perfectly positioned to support this growing and attractive market segment next to our established businesses.

Out parent company, Avantium, aims to be a world leader in renewable and sustainable chemistry and technology solutions and to commercialise them through partnerships and licensing. The company is best known for its PEF (polyethylene furanoate) – a fully plant-based, sustainable plastic material – that can be used in packaging, textiles, film, and everyday items that match today’s world. It is an exciting time to join Avantium, as we are on the brink of scaling up to a first-of-a-kind commercial plant to produce PEF, unlocking the high potential of this novel, highly innovative plastic material PEF.

Position summary

The Modules Production Manager (MPM) is the technical product owner of the Flowrence® modules, Custom made modules if applicable (in the business areas of Adsorption, Electrolysis, Chemical Conversion and Pyrolysis), and any (future) proprietary components or products.

The MPM  is accountable for ensuring manufacturing of all modules is executed against the right quality. To this end the MPM ensures initial documentation after handover from development is such that suppliers can manufacture in line with required quality standards. This documentation is to be kept up to date with any validated changes or improvements that are triggered internally or externally. In line with this, appropriate quality standards and measurements should be setup, agreed with, and signed by suppliers, including test protocols, test documentation, and quality levels (e.g. allowed failure rates).

To ensure manufacturability against required quality standards is economically feasible the MPM should already be involved during the development of modules and products. The MPM is responsible for formal signoff of the development phase towards production, thereby ensuring that what has been developed can be manufactured by appropriate suppliers. Formal product dossiers and conformity dossiers (e.g. CE Marking) are to be setup and maintained in line with this.

Responsibilities & Tasks

• Involvement in product/module design to safeguard manufacturability by ensuring alignment with (new) supplier capabilities. This includes, but is not limited to design reviews and sign-offs, prototype productions and establishing quality control measures.
• Ensuring all technical product information is up-to-date in applicable systems during the full life cycle of the modules/components, starting with a well formalized hand-over from development. This requires regular interaction with both our internal organisation and suppliers. Availability of this information for the rest of the organisation and a close interface with Commercial Product Management are included in this responsibility.
• Managing the complete Technical Construction Dossier files, including product version control, CE-files and keeping track of the guidelines/standard operating procedures regarding the product.
• Setup and execute quality control for key components to ensure reliability down the line. This can be done at supplier side or at RDS, depending on needs and capabilities. This includes formal registration and reporting in appropriate systems.
• First point of contact in case of quality issues with delivered modules and leading role towards the respective supplier for resolution.
• Setup and lead regular key supplier evaluations to discuss quality performance, improvement plans, and future developments. Initiate and lead improvement programs, if needed directly with suppliers, when required to improve functionality, standardization, or quality of modules and components based on quality control output, developments, customer feedback, or recurring issues.
• Support (internal) customers with specific questions and special applications related to the modules and investigates and resolve complaints (third-line support).

Requirements & qualifications

• At least a BSc and preferably an MSc degree in mechanical or chemical Engineering with at least 3 years of experience in a relevant industrial production or research organization.
• Good understanding of and experience in product engineering and design, including prototyping and industrialization of new products/parts.
• Proven track record of technical supplier interaction, discussing manufacturability, capabilities and comprehensive quality control measures.
• Extensive experience in quality management and purchasing of technical parts, customer support and proven affinity with quality and process management.
• Knowledge of catalysis, polymer chemistry or polymer application development is a plus.
• Ability to bring structure and lead the setup of new ways of working.
• Experience with working in advanced software packages; ERP, product data management (PDM/PLC) software, engineering/design software.
• Good knowledge of MS Office 365 (including Word, Excel and Teams)
• Fluent in English

What do we offer?

At Avantium, you can make a difference. As a small organisation, we encourage people to look beyond the obvious to reach our targets. Career opportunities come from personal drive and ambition and are rewarded through a competitive compensation package, flexibility and personal development in a multicultural company operating worldwide

Interested?

If this description matches your skills or interest, please apply for the position. We will be happy to show you the innovative world of Avantium.