Manager, R&D Capital & RCE Lifecycle

Job description

The position is based in Lake County within Global R&D Capital Planning and reports to the Director, Global R&D Capital Planning. The incumbent will support the global Request for Capital Expenditure (RCE) lifecycle across R&D and serve as a key business partner to stakeholders across Business, Engineering, Finance, EHS and other relevant functions. The role coordinates complex capital investment requests from early development through management approval. The incumbent will also help design, deploy, execute, and continuously improve a globally aligned RCE operating model while providing analytical and coordination support for Annual Plan and Long-Range Planning activities. This role requires a collaborative, process-oriented individual who can quickly learn the RCE process, connect stakeholders across sites and functions, drive execution in a matrix environment, and build scalable team capability to deliver the work effectively. Major Responsibilities RCE Lifecycle Leadership Serve as a primary business partner for assigned R&D organizations throughout the RCE lifecycle. Coordinate the development, review, submission, governance, approval, and closeout of capital investment requests. Lead complex and strategically significant RCEs through senior executive governance, including Board and CEO approval when required. Ensure submissions are decision-ready and meet business, engineering, financial, EHS, compliance, and governance requirements. Stakeholder Coordination and Business Partnership Build relationships across US sites connecting Engineering, Facilities, Finance, Business Operations, EHS, and IT stakeholders. Facilitate alignment, clarify ownership, resolve issues, coordinate escalations, and translate technical, financial, and business inputs into clear investment proposals and recommendations. Prepare clear, decision-ready proposal content that connects project scope, business rationale, financial assumptions, risks, and governance requirements. Contractor and Workload Coordination Develop, coordinate, and provide day-to-day guidance to external RCE-writing resources supporting a high volume of requests. Prioritize workload, balance capacity, set quality expectations, and coach contractors toward consistent delivery. Capture lessons learned from supported RCEs and translate recurring insights into practical improvements to templates, guidance, and ways of working. Qualifications Education and Experience Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Finance, IT, Project Management, Engineering, Life Sciences, or a related discipline required; advanced degree preferred. 5+ years of relevant experience, with demonstrated progression in engineering, capital projects, facilities, business operations, finance, program management, or a related field. This role is intended as a development opportunity for a high-performing employee who wants to build deep expertise in R&D capital governance and grow into a recognized end-to-end RCE lifecycle partner. Demonstrated success coordinating complex, cross-functional work in a matrix organization. Experience with capital investments, project approvals, portfolio governance, or executive decision processes preferred. Skills and Competencies Ability to rapidly develop expertise in R&D capital governance and the end-to-end RCE lifecycle. Excellent stakeholder management, influencing, facilitation, and executive communication skills. Strong process thinking, analytical judgment, problem-solving, and disciplined execution. Ability to lead through influence, manage competing priorities, and work effectively across sites, functions, and cultures. Experience developing people or coordinating contractors, with a strong focus on quality and accountability. Practical experience using AI-enabled tools to improve productivity, with curiosity and comfort applying AI in business workflows without requiring a technical IT background. Proficiency with Microsoft 365, SAP, and related business systems preferred. Why Join This Team This role offers the opportunity to help build a new global R&D capability, gain broad exposure across functions and sites, work with senior leaders on high-value investments, and shape how R&D capital requests are developed, governed, and approved. The successful candidate can grow into a recognized R&D RCE expert and an important contributor to the evolving global operating model.