R&D Project Manager

Role Overview

The R&D Project Manager operates as a key leader within the Materials R&D department, responsible for hands-on project leadership to facilitate the creation and commercial release of new products, as well as sustainment of existing offerings in the Inkjet & Visual Workplace Safety domain. This position also involves mentoring junior R&D staff members. Key technological focuses include inkjet ink formulations, functional coatings, pressure-sensitive adhesives, print on demand innovations, floor tapes, and related technologies.

Primary Responsibilities

• Oversee and direct research initiatives that align with business goals and yield impactful results.
• Lead corrective actions addressing supply chain challenges and maintain product stability post-launch.
• Guide multiple projects through a structured Stage Gate framework.
• Define project scope, objectives, budgets, timelines, and develop justifications to support project viability.
• Create and implement globally comprehensive project plans addressing customer needs.
• Manage or participate in cross-functional teams to drive new product development efforts.
• Effectively communicate and collaborate with various business units for seamless project execution.
• Coordinate efforts between manufacturing sites, test engineers, and Global Product Managers to ensure strategic projects are completed.
• Possess knowledge of process capabilities, design criteria, material-property relationships, risk management, intellectual property, and knowledge preservation.
• Ensure thorough documentation of technical and experimental activities to uphold quality and compliance standards.

Qualifications and Skills

• Bachelor’s degree in chemistry, chemical engineering, materials science, or a similar technical field.
• Minimum of five years of progressive project management experience.
• Proven success in delivering projects through effective collaboration with cross-functional teams.
• Strong ability to influence and guide business decisions.
• Technical background understanding material property and process interplay for inks, coatings, adhesives, and polymers.
• Familiarity with wide-web coating, narrow-web rotary die cutting, and flexographic printing processes.
• Project Management Certification is preferred but not mandatory.
• Willingness to travel up to 10-15% of the time for networking and multicultural engagement.

About the Company

Brady Corporation is a worldwide leader in safety, identification, and compliance solutions across a spectrum of industries—including electronics, telecommunications, manufacturing, construction, healthcare, and aerospace. Founded over a century ago, the company has a presence in over 70 locations globally and employs approximately 6,400 people worldwide as of mid-2025. Fiscal year 2025 revenue was about $1.51 billion. The company is publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange under BRC.

Work Culture and Benefits

Brady offers a stable, innovation-driven workplace with strong support for employee growth through competitive compensation and a supportive culture emphasizing inclusion and collaboration. Benefits include comprehensive insurance starting day one, a generous 401(k) with matching, paid leave and holidays, participation in incentive plans, family planning assistance, education reimbursement, scholarships for employees’ children, and varied employee resource groups. Wellness programs covering mental, behavioral, and financial health, along with casual dress codes and charitable matching gifts are also available.