Global Application Development Manager - Carbon Black | Wire & Cable (m/f/d)

Invisible, Yet Essential You may not notice our carbon black at first glance, but it is everywhere – in the tires that get you safely to your destination, in the smartphone you use every day, in the paints and coatings that bring color to your home, and in the batteries that power the future. Without it, modern life would come to a standstill. What you will notice at Orion is our commitment to investing in people. We invest in your development, your ambitions and your future, providing the environment, support and opportunities for you to grow professionally, personally and financially. Your contribution matters here – and it is recognized. As Innovation Manager Wire & Cable, you will take technical ownership of a strategically important growth segment within our carbon black portfolio. Based at our global Innovation Centre, you will shape its technological direction in close collaboration with international customers, research partners and teams across Orion. Our solutions are used in high-voltage power cable systems, including subsea and underground applications, that support the expansion of modern energy grids worldwide. Through your expertise in application development and materials technology, you will define innovation priorities, strengthen the technical positioning of our portfolio and contribute directly to its long-term competitiveness, differentiation and growth. Before we dive into the details: the essentials. 37.5-hour working week | Predominantly site-based with occasional mobile working | Permanent employment contract | Cologne, Germany | 30 days annual leave | Salary range: €95,000 – €120,000 (Chemical Industry Collective Agreement) Your role as Technical Owner – Wire & Cable: At the heart of the global energy transition, you will lead the technical development of Orion’s Wire & Cable segment, advancing carbon black solutions for high-voltage subsea and underground power cable systems worldwide. As the primary technical partner for our international key customers, you will understand their current and future development requirements, translate them into application concepts and guide technical collaboration from initial ideas through successful industrial implementation. Emerging technologies, changing market needs and new application opportunities will shape your innovation agenda. You will convert these developments into clear portfolio recommendations that strengthen existing businesses, open new application areas and support customer acquisition. Working across Innovation, Sales, Marketing, Manufacturing and Quality, you will provide technical leadership for global development and optimization initiatives and ensure their effective execution across functions and locations. You will shape the long-term technology and product strategy for the segment, monitor market, competitor and patent developments, and identify where Orion’s solutions can create meaningful technical differentiation and superior value for customers. Building an established business and application base, you will secure technical continuity, develop next-generation applications and make a measurable contribution to the segment’s strategic expansion and future growth. Recognized across Orion as the global authority for Wire & Cable applications, you will serve as the central reference point for customers, colleagues and manufacturing sites worldwide. You will translate future high-voltage cable requirements into clear carbon black product requirements and guide the technical direction of the segment. The profile we are looking for: You bring extensive experience in a senior technical, application development or innovation role involving polymer compounding with carbon black, ideally within high-voltage subsea or underground cable applications. Your academic background is in Materials Science, Polymer Science, Chemical Engineering, Electrical Engineering or comparable discipline. Combined with substantial industrial experience in product development, application engineering and implementation, it provides the foundation for your technical authority. Having established yourself as a recognized expert in your field, you understand the demanding performance requirements of high-voltage cable applications and the interaction between materials, processing conditions and end-product performance. Experience within the energy, high-voltage or cable industry is highly desirable. Technical excellence is complemented by a strong understanding of customers, markets and commercial priorities. You can identify the performance characteristics that differentiate one solution from another and translate complex technical advantages into clear and compelling value for customers. Ownership, curiosity and the ambition to create lasting impact define your approach. You take responsibility, drive technically complex topics independently, think beyond immediate project requirements and recognize opportunities others may overlook. In international and cross-functional environments, you build trust through expertise, reliability and open collaboration. You are comfortable influencing customers, research partners, colleagues and decision-makers across cultures, disciplines and organizational levels. Fluent English at a minimum C1 level is essential for this global position. Additional languages are an advantage. You are also willing to travel internationally approximately 20% of the time to engage directly with customers, markets and applications. Why join Orion? Performance-related bonus schemes | Six months of continued salary payments during long-term illness | Company pension scheme | Additional care and accident insurance | Occupational health services | Annual flu vaccinations | Preventive health checks | Subsidized on-site restaurant | Individual development opportunities | E-learning programs | Rosetta Stone language training | Complimentary Urban Sports Club basic membership | Company running events | €1,000 employee referral bonus | Orion Carnival Event | Free on-site parking Questions? Let’s talk. Christoph Schulz EMEA Talent Acquisition Manager Please note that we do not accept unsolicited approaches from recruitment agencies.