About LiuGong
LiuGong is a $4.2B USD global manufacturer of construction and material handling products and services that deliver durable lifecycle solutions at a low total cost of ownership. The LiuGong Group consists of 15 companies, employing over 17,000 people in 15 major offices and 20 manufacturing facilities globally. LiuGong delivers solutions in 32 major market segments under the brand names LiuGong and Dressta. Since 1993, LiuGong Machinery Company has been publicly traded on the Shenzhen Stock Exchange. LiuGong has joint venture partnerships with Cummins and ZF for the production of engines, axles, transmissions, cooling train components and sheet metal products. In 2024, LiuGong celebrated its 66th birthday. LiuGong is in the top 15 of global construction equipment manufacturing companies.
About the Role
LiuGong Machinery Europe is seeking a dynamic and forward-thinking R&D Manager to lead its research and development initiatives across the European region. This role is pivotal in driving innovation, enhancing product performance, and ensuring LiuGong's construction equipment remains at the forefront of industry standards.
As the R&D Manager, you will oversee the entire R&D lifecycle—from conceptual design and prototyping to testing and final product rollout. You will lead a multidisciplinary team of engineers, designers, and technical specialists, fostering a collaborative environment that encourages creativity and continuous improvement. By maintaining a clear focus on industry trends, regulatory requirements, and customer needs, you will ensure that LiuGong's products meet market demands while achieving optimal quality, performance, and cost efficiency.
This role requires a leader with a deep understanding of engineering principles, particularly in the development of construction equipment, as well as strong project management and team leadership capabilities. A passion for innovation and a commitment to operational excellence are essential, as is the ability to balance short-term project goals with long-term strategic objectives.
This is an exciting opportunity for a visionary leader to shape the future of LiuGong's product offerings, support the company's growth strategy, and contribute to its ongoing success in the highly competitive construction equipment market.
Responsibilities
* Lead R&D Projects: Manage and lead key R&D projects to support business objectives.
* Develop Research Programs: Incorporate current developments to improve existing products and explore new product opportunities.
* Customer Expectations: Understand and integrate customer expectations into product development.
* Technology Assessment: Evaluate and implement new technologies used by suppliers, competitors, and customers.
* Team Development: Support the hiring and development of R&D personnel.
* Project Goals: Establish project goals and priorities in collaboration with Marketing and Operations.
* Technology Transfer: Facilitate the transfer of new technologies, products, and manufacturing processes into and out of the company.
* Improve product: Communicate with customers and dealers, and improve Liugong products to enhance their performance.
* Training and Development: Suggest training tools to enhance employee performance and skill development.
* Metrics and Objectives: Monitor team metrics and objectives to ensure goals are met.
* Documentation: Document reports of Liugong products performance in Europe market, and give suggestion to HQ product division.
* Customer Relationships: Manage customer relationships, perform RFP reviews, customer visits, and product testing.
* Testing Procedures: Establish and maintain testing procedures for assessing raw materials, in-process, and finished products.
* Budget Management: Assess the scope of research projects to ensure they are on time and within budget.
* Industry Conferences: Attend industry conferences on research topics of interest.
Compensation and Benefits
* £58,000 - £65,000 per annum
* Annual performance related bonus
* Mintago Financial Wellbeing
* Mintago Salary Sacrifice
* 3% employer pension contributions
* 4x Death In Service
* Bupa Healthcare
* Healthshield Cash Plan
Requirements
* Education: A master's degree in a relevant engineering, mechanical, or construction field.
* Experience: Proven experience in a managerial role within R&D in the construction equipment industry.
* Skills: Strong leadership, project management, and communication skills. Ability to think strategically and solve complex problems. Experience with data analysis and technical writing.
* The ability to meet with your team in our Manchester offices regularly.
Desired Attributes
* Innovation: Foster a culture of continuous improvement and innovation within the team.
* Collaboration: Coordinate cross-functional collaborations to drive innovation.
* Compliance: Ensure compliance with industry standards and regulations.