Process R&D Manager

Belgium, China, Korea, Republic of

Engineering & Technology, Process & Product Development, Research & Development

Gepubliceerd op 03-09-2025

About Umicore

Reducing harmful vehicle emissions. Giving new life to used metals. Powering the cars of the future. As a global materials and technology group, we apply our specialist knowledge to offer materials and solutions that are essential to everyday life. We aim to be a clear world leader in materials for clean mobility and recycling and have turned our sustainability approach into an even greater competitive advantage. With ambitions like this, imagine what you could do?

About Battery Cathode Materials (BCM)

We are all on the move. Umicore’s battery materials give people autonomy and connectivity. We are a pioneer in battery materials that give added range and performance to electric vehicles. Our materials also ensure longer battery life for portable electronics. To enable our customers to produce even better performing batteries we cannot stand still. We need to find new ways to do things, discover new solutions and develop new ideas. Which is where you come in

What you will be doing

You will be part of the global Manufacturing Science and Technology (MSAT) team within the business unit Battery Materials Solutions. As an R&D Process Engineer you will lead and implement defined process R&D projects within the field of cathode active materials processes (such as drying, blending, high temperature processes, mixing, milling, sieving, etc.), ranging from early R&D to full industrialization. You will be responsible for further developing these competencies/expertise. Being part of a global team, you will collaborate intensively with colleagues at different locations (Korea, China, Poland and Belgium).

Workplace can be in Belgium (Olen) or Korea (Cheonan).

Detailed responsibilities

• Management and execution of predefined global process R&D and industrialization projects;
• Definition of detailed test plans on different equipment scales (from lab up to mass production) within process R&D and industrialization projects;
• Reporting the project status towards management (data analysis, cost reduction calculations, project plan, risk mitigation plan, conclusions and proposal for way forward);
• Knowledge management and intelligence within the field of expertise;
• New technology evaluation, including desktop studies, lab- and pilot testing, and final evaluation of their potential implementation in mass production;
• (Functional) lead over a project team, dividing tasks based on team member expertise, collecting results and analyzing them to come to a clear conclusion and way-forward;
• Creation of required process documentation towards process engineering and product development.

Who we are looking for

We are looking for a flexible colleague with:

• PhD in chemistry, metallurgy, material science, engineering, … or equivalent by experience;
• Relevant experience within the domain of R&D project management, process technologies and equipment, process engineering, or process industrialization;
• Experience in the battery and/or process engineering industry; with cathode processes;
• Knowledge in chemical thermodynamics and kinetics; in powder/bulk solid handling;
• Knowledge in wet processes, slurry handling; in process safety;
• Experience with process characterization (mass & energy balance, process description, cost calculations…).
• Excellent reporting and communication skills in English;
• Good organizing skills;
• The ability to make decisions, persevere and commit to results;
• Technical curiosity and an innovative mentality;
• Problem solver: detailed and methodological approach, ability to synthesize, analytical and critical mindset;
• Team player;
• Respectful, flexible, creative and assertive;

What we offer

We aim to lead the way. Not just for our customers, but for our employees too. That is why we strive to create a collaborative environment in which we can all succeed, and a culture through which we can all share ideas, develop our expertise and advance our careers. We engage in building an inclusive work culture that offers equal opportunities for all employees irrespective of their diverse backgrounds. As you would expect from a world leading organization, we will also reward your contribution with a competitive salary and benefits. With all this and more, imagine what you could do?

If our battery materials can power electric vehicles, IMAGINE WHAT YOU COULD DO