The Company: Specialising in the design and manufacture of PTFE products, our product range is divided into two sections, one based on the manufacture of “off-the-shelf” labware, sold mainly through distributors, and the other based on the custom manufacture of special PTFE products or components sold mainly to end-users or OEM’s. In order to develop and grow our market in Europe and the rest of the world (excluding the Americas), we wish to recruit a Product Manager for our site in Middlesbrough, England.  The challenges facing our Product Management function in the UK requires personnel of an exceptional quality and skill level, both technically and commercially.  PTFE is commonly referred to as Teflon^® a registered trademark of DuPont.

The Role: The strength of the company lies in its technical expertise in understanding both the nature of PTFE and its applicability in various industries and herein lies the first technical issue.  Since the range of industries we can supply is so diverse, a Cowie Product Manager must have the technical ability coupled with a high degree of enthusiasm, to embrace new uses and applications of PTFE.  Typical industries currently supplied include semi-conductor, research labs, chemical process plants (semi-scale or pilot plant), pharmaceutical, engineering applications, electrical, medical and many, many more.  The second technical issue embraces innovation and design. We look to all technical staff to be aware of the potential for new or improved products, to actively contribute to new products and technology advances, to make assessments and recommendations and to give technical advice (both in-house and to customers) in this area.  Both of these requirements offer an outstanding opportunity to demonstrate technical expertise and versatility and to play a major role in the development of the companies product portfolio.

Of course the technical capabilities and related products of the company must be presented to the appropriate market segment or customer base in a professional manner.  The demands here are to identify potential markets and customers, define how they may be reached and to use this assessment to approach the target markets with the aim of increasing sales.  To enable this requirement, the Product Manager will be required to undertake market research, to identify and establish a customer base and to promote our products and abilities to that customer base.  Of course, the commercial aspect also demands a high level of general organisational, interpersonal and presentational skills.

Ideal Person: The starting point is a ‘good’ degree in Chemistry or Chemical Engineering, coupled with an interest and enthusiasm in science and technology.  Commercially, the candidate may require development to the required skill level but regardless of this they must be flexible, pro-active, self-starting and have the ability to think ‘outside of the box’.  Additionally, the ability to travel at home and abroad is essential.

Interested parties should apply in writing via e-mail attaching their current resume and salary details to recruit@cowie.com