Research Manager

Job Title: Research Manager 

Date: 2026

Reports to: Director of Research and Development  

Direct Reports: Analytical Scientists, Material Testing Analysts, R&D Characterization Senior Technician, R&D Characterization Technical Specialist, Specification Testing Technicians, and R&D Technician 

Would you like to work for a company where ambitious spirits and creativity thrive? L&L Products offers a culture that grows talent and flourishes with innovation. It is a place where you are encouraged take control of your own professional development by using L&L’s extensive training opportunities to craft solutions to the industry’s hottest problems. Here is where quality of work, product and relationships are a priority.  

L&L Products is built on the basic philosophy that good people working together, listening to each other’s ideas with an open mind and everyone wanting to do a little better each day will ensure our success. Our existence is full of wise principles, sacrifices and victories, laughs, and lasting memories that tell exactly who we are. How we came to be the great company, the caring family that we are today. 

Duties / Responsibilities of this position:  

• Provide leadership to a group of specialists and technicians to advance new product offerings and new process methodologies.    

• Lead the R&D organization in problem resolution, including a basic, principled approach to frame and solve problems.   

• Manage the activities of the group in the context of broad technical and commercial goals of the company, putting activities in context of these larger goals.   

• Independently develop innovative ideas in materials and processing technology and lead technical groups through the exploration of these ideas.   

• Coordinate activities with multifunctional activities in the organization, ensuring that activities are in context of company-wide goals.   

• Maintain a global connection within company research and development and cultivate collaboration and knowledge of technical/scientific trends in global academic, governmental, competitive, and supplier communities. 

• Lead a group of technical professionals, including technicians and specialists, to develop new technologies in products and processes.  Very competent with self-directed work 

• Responsible for technical decisions predicated on work of the directed group  

• Construction, maintenance, and safety responsibilities for laboratory workspace and equipment 

Job Requirements: 

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:  

• BS, MS, or PhD in the sciences, typically in the chemical and engineering sciences.   

• Experience leading technical programs and/or personnel toward advancement of business goals. 

• Experience in establishing well-founded credibility in the research group and in the whole of the business organization. 

• Select skills in technical/scientific disciplines, as required.  Versed in scientific methods, laboratory apparatus, and communication skills. 

• Capable of fostering a contributive, collaborative environment in the research community, and in relation to multiple corporate functions 

• Comfortable with leading on issues with uncertain circumstance or conflicting viewpoints 

Core Competencies:  

• Performance Driven 

• Communication  

• Customer Centric 

• Passion/Values 

• Innovation 

• Safety/Sustainability 

• Collaboration  

• Leadership 

Physical Demands Analysis:  

• Occasional lifting up to 30 lbs. 

• Occasional carrying up to 30 lbs. 

• Occasional pushing/pulling up to 30 lbs. 

• Frequent fine finger movement and handling materials 

• Frequent gripping and reaching  

• Occasional climbing stairs/step ladder 

• Continuous sitting  

• Continuous use of computer monitor, keyboard, and computer mouse 

• Frequent standing and walking 

• Occasional bending, stooping, twisting or balancing 

• Rare crawling, kneeling, and crouching 

Environmental Conditions: 

• Inside Work – continuous  

• Outside Work – rare 

• Hot/Cold – occasional 

• Humid/Dry – occasional 

• Dust/Vapor Fumes – occasional  

• Hazardous Machines – occasional  

• Moving Objects – occasional  

• Sharp hand tools – occasional  

• Loud Noise – occasional 

• Working alone – frequent  

• May be required to wear the following Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Safety Glasses, Gloves, Sleeves, and Respirator (Dust Mask). 

Never = Not Required/Never (0%) 

Rare = Seldom/Rare (Not daily – 1-10%) 

Occasional = Minor/Occasional (Less than 3 hours – 11-33%) 

Frequent = Required/Frequent (For 3-5 hours – 34-64%) 

Continuous = Major/Continuous (More than 5 hours – 64-100%) 

Benefits 

• Excellent total compensation package 

• 100% company paid medical, dental, and vision 

• Onsite medical clinic 

• Generous 401K contributions 

• Top-notch wellness program with a focus on your total well-being 

Equal Opportunity Employer 

L&L Products does not discriminate in employment opportunities or practices on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, weight, height, marital status, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law. L&L Products will make reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with known disabilities unless doing so would result in undue hardship.