Senior Manager, Technology Solutions (m/f/d)

Would you like to join a global, growing company that innovates for a more sustainable tomorrow? UPM could be the team for you. We are frontrunners in developing renewable alternatives to fossil-based materials. Besides enabling both businesses and consumers to make more sustainable choices, we strive to create a positive UPM experience for all our employees around the world. We live by our values – trust and be trusted, achieve together, renew with courage. Together we can renew the everyday, for a future beyond fossils!Learn more about us as a workplace our Careers page.We are now looking for a Senior Manager, Technology Solutions (m/f/d) in Leuna, Germany.Greetings from your future manager"In our research and application development facilities in Leuna, we are developing biorefinery technologies and product applications in a project-driven matrix organization. As Senior Manager, Technology Solutions, you will lead our local R&D, process and application development organization, develop people and capabilities, and help the team deliver priorities across operational support, technology development and strategic growth projects. This role requires strong leadership, the ability to create clarity in a complex setup, and the confidence to influence across teams and stakeholders without always having a direct mandate. If you bring people leadership experience, strong technical understanding and a passion for leading change and turning priorities into results, we would be excited to hear from you." – Raisa Vermasvuori, VP Innovation and Next Generation Renewables TechnologyWhat you will doLead the R&D, process and application development organization in Leuna, with line-management responsibility for researchers and the Laboratory Solution ManagerProvide leadership and direction for the researcher team, enabling strong prioritization, effective execution, and high-quality technical workOwn researcher capacity planning and prioritization across operational support, technology development, and strategic growth projectsSteer work toward business value, operational relevance, and future growth opportunitiesDrive cross-project execution by creating alignment, following up on delivery, identifying risks, and resolving bottlenecksSupport invention generation, strong documentation, and IP-related collaboration where relevant, while ensuring work remains connected to business prioritiesLead the project-based matrix way of working by improving cross-team collaboration, role clarity, and decision-making effectivenessInfluence stakeholders across functions and projects to secure alignment, commitment, and progress, also in areas where direct reporting lines do not applyOwn budget responsibility for laboratory facilities in LeunaWho you areYou have a PhD or Master’s degree in chemistry, chemical engineering, biotechnology, process engineering, or a comparable field, combined with solid leadership experienceYou have experience leading people and teams in an industrial R&D, technology, process development, or application development environmentYou bring strong technical understanding and the ability to ask the right questions, connect expertise, and guide work toward relevant outcomesYou can prioritize work across multiple projects, stakeholders, and business needs, creating clarity where priorities competeYou are comfortable operating in a complex, project-based matrix organization and can drive change without relying only on formal authorityYou are a structured and collaborative leader who combines clear direction, coaching skills, and the ability to build commitment across teamsYou have experience developing people, strengthening capabilities, and supporting teams through changeYou communicate fluently in English; German is preferredThis is what we offer to youA meaningful job: We have an inspiring purpose: "We renew the everyday for a future beyond fossils”. Our work is impactful and transformative.A caring community: Our community is built on great team spirit and shared commitment. We care about each other and the well-being of our colleagues. We support the work-life balance of all our employees.Development opportunities: We offer you great opportunities to learn and grow throughout your career. We are an international, multi-business organization offering plenty of avenues for personal growth.Responsible employer: Sustainability is at the core of everything we do. We are committed to ambitious, science-based sustainability targets in all areas, from climate change mitigation to enhancing biodiversity. We foster diversity and inclusivity, offering a work environment in which everyone can be themselves.Additional information about the positionLearn about our Rewarding and our Ways of working >The position holder will report to Senior Manager, Intermediates-to-Products Technology.For further information about the role, please contact Konrad Gebauer, Senior Manager, Intermediates-to-Products Technology, at konrad.gebauer@upm.com.How to applyPlease note that we accept only applications submitted through our online application system.Apply nowFor support with submitting your application, please contact our HR Service Center at careers@upm.com or tel. +49 4963 401 1522.Learn more about us as a workplace our Careers page.UPM business informationUPM Next Generation Renewables is a strategic growth business area of UPM, leading the industrial scale up of the bioeconomy. We produce advanced, wood based alternatives to fossil raw materials and enable customers to reduce emissions, meet sustainability targets and strengthen their competitive advantage. With pioneering biorefineries in Lappeenranta, Finland, and Leuna, Germany, we turn sustainably sourced wood and industry residues into renewable fuels and chemicals, such as renewable glycols, lignin based functional fillers, renewable diesel and bio naphtha. We accelerate the shift toward circular, fossil free value chains and set new standards for sustainable materials. www.upmbiochemicals.comUPM – we renew the everyday