Pineapple Contracts opened their doors for the first time in 1975. A family run company, started by William Hathorn, Pineapple began making pine furniture for the retail market and traded as, ‘Pine Productions’.
In 1987, Pine Productions moved their focus to the healthcare furniture market, having identified a demand for strong, safe and durable healthcare furniture which avoided the ‘institutional’ appearance, common at that time. With a new direction, a new name was required and we became simply ‘Pineapple’.
Pineapple, now a global company with headquarters in Kent (UK), have offices in France, Germany and the USA, still runs by its original ethos.
JOB TITLE: Senior Materials R&D Engineer
REPORTS TO: Head of Materials & Sustainability
LOCATION: Aylesford, Kent
WORKING HOURS: 8.00am – 4.30pm, Office based
The Senior Materials R&D Engineer is an exciting newly created position on our Materials and Sustainability team! This position collaborates with cross functional teams including New Product Development, Purchasing and sourcing. The successful candidate will be highly inquisitive, eager to learn, and capable of multi-tasking in a fast- paced environment and has the drive to bring concepts into material reality.
This position requires technical know-how to execute a number of projects, looking at new perspectives to solve existing and new solutions within a specified area of the materials and fabrics.
The Senior Materials R&D Engineer will have a solid drive for results, excellent project management skills, a creative and entrepreneurial growth mindset, and an ability to create strong networks and relationships to drive the innovation agenda. They work both independently and with guidance to deliver relevant innovation and will work effectively with cross-functional teams to drive projects to execution.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Responsible for delivering material development activities and is accountable for the execution of the allocated programs to bring projects through to commercialisation.
- Ensures that the material development process is carried out such that project timelines are met.
- Responsible for delivering Material requirements for any new materials introduced in products developed.
- Ensures that Product quality and Manufacturing quality performance measures standards and corrective actions are specified for each new and current product to ensure performance at the required level for all manufactured products
- Liaise with suppliers to obtain costings and development samples.
- Research new and technical materials for development projects.
- Liaising with external Material R&D labs and manufacturers.
- Working on multiple projects simultaneously & cross functional teams; partnering closely with Design teams and Engineers.
- Works within cross-functional teams to ensure that desirability, feasibility, and viability are evaluated for all projects as part of the development process.
- Creating material specification briefs for the sourcing team.
- Ability to read and analyse patents.
- Expected to drive projects forward independently.
Requirements
To be successful for this role, you will need to be proactive, energetic, highly adaptable, and responsive with strong organisational skills and outstanding attention to detail.
- Bachelor’s degree in Textile Design/Textile Science, Industrial Design, Polymer and Material Science, Mechanical engineering, Manufacturing, or related fields
- Proven practical and related industry experience
- Knowledge/awareness of development and manufacture practices
- Technical knowledge and strong practical skills
- Ability to identify and analyse a wide range of materials, and fabrics visually and through touch
- Experienced in all or some of the following is desirable: fabrics, metals, ceramics, coatings and composites
- Demonstrable experience of development projects which involve patented ideas
- Ability to work as part of a team and to liaise with colleagues in other functions within the business.
- Strong communication skills.
- Ability to prioritise and to switch between different tasks as required
- Problem-solving skills and decision-making ability
- Interest in sustainability
- Understanding of product and / or furniture and how it’s made
- Good commercial acumen with an understanding of business development costs is desirable
PERSONALITY PROFILE:
- Analytical mind.
- Self-starter and accountable to deliver on assigned tasks.
- A roll-up-the-sleeves mentality and willingness to “pitch in” attitude.
- Self-motivated and organised with excellent attention to detail and can-do attitude.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Embodies our company people values:
- Teamwork
- Committed
- Ownership
- Positive
- Responsive
Benefits
- Competitive pay
- Pension scheme
- Healthcare Cash Plan
- 23 days annual leave + UK bank holidays
- Extra day’s leave for your birthday
- On joining we'll plant a tree in your honour
- Regular team socials and events
- Monthly pizza Friday
- Fruit and snacks are provided daily
- Employee referrals bonus scheme
- Recognition of excellence/Employee rewards schemes
- Company volunteering day
- Annual pay reviews
- High quality office environment
- Sustainability focused business
- Free onsite parking / walking distance from train station
We are an equal opportunities employer. We welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons.
Agencies we know where you are if we need any support, thank you for your interest in working with Pineapple.
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