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 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 upm.com/careers

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 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 Technology 

What you will do 

• Lead the R&D, process and application development organization in Leuna, with line-management responsibility for researchers and the Laboratory Solution Manager 

• Provide leadership and direction for the researcher team, enabling strong prioritization, effective execution and high-quality technical work 

• Own researcher capacity planning and prioritization across operational support, technology development and strategic growth projects 

• Steer work toward business value, operational relevance and future growth opportunities 

• Drive cross-project execution by creating alignment, following up on delivery, identifying risks and resolving bottlenecks 

• Support invention generation, strong documentation and IP-related collaboration where relevant, while ensuring work remains connected to business priorities 

• Lead the project-based matrix way of working by improving cross-team collaboration, role clarity and decision-making effectiveness 

• Influence stakeholders across functions and projects to secure alignment, commitment and progress, also in areas where direct reporting lines do not apply 

• Own budget responsibility for laboratory facilities in Leuna 

Who you are 

• You have a PhD or Master’s degree in chemistry, chemical engineering, biotechnology, process engineering or a comparable field, combined with solid leadership experience 

• You have experience leading people and teams in an industrial R&D, technology, process development or application development environment 

• You bring strong technical understanding and the ability to ask the right questions, connect expertise and guide work toward relevant outcomes 

• You can prioritize work across multiple projects, stakeholders and business needs, creating clarity where priorities compete 

• You are comfortable operating in a complex, project-based matrix organization and can drive change without relying only on formal authority 

• You are a structured and collaborative leader who combines clear direction, coaching skills and the ability to build commitment across teams 

• You have experience developing people, strengthening capabilities and supporting teams through change 

• You communicate fluently in English; German is preferred 

This is what we offer to you 

• A 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. 

Learn about our Rewarding and our Ways of working >   

Additional information about the position 

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 apply 

Please note that we accept only applications submitted through our online application system.

For support with submitting your application, please contact our HR Services Team at careers@upm.com or tel. +49 4963 401 1522. 

Learn more about how to apply from our Careers page. 

UPM business information 

UPM 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.com 

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