R&D Project Control Manager M/W

Ciel & Terre International is an innovative and pioneering company in the field of floating solar energy. Since 2011, we have been developing, designing and supplying large-scale floating solar power plants, with over 1 GWp deployed worldwide. Based in Lille, France, and with an international presence, we are proud to contribute to the energy transition by offering a sustainable alternative to fossil fuels.

Our patented Hydrelio® technology makes it possible to install solar panels on bodies of water such as reservoirs or dams, thereby addressing the lack of space for ground-mounted installations.

Joining Ciel & Terre International means becoming part of a company that is both visionary and human, where every day is an opportunity to innovate and advance renewable energies on a global scale.

Working closely with the R&D Manager, you will play a key role in overseeing and optimising the R&D department, which has 40 employees across two sites in France and India. You will be responsible for ensuring effective management of the organisation, monitoring budgets and expenditure, prioritising tasks and conducting project reviews. Your position will give you a global and strategic view of research and development activities.

Responsibilities :

• Manage the annual R&D budget: forecasts and monthly monitoring of costs.

• Monitoring the activities of team members, identifying bottlenecks and any deviations from the project plan (budget, deadlines, quality).

• Supporting the creation and updating of the R&D roadmap in collaboration with the R&D Manager.

• Ensuring optimum allocation of R&D resources, identifying staff and expertise requirements (recruitment, training, working with external partners).

• Organising R&D reporting to General Management.

• Updating and communicating internal R&D processes, identifying areas for improvement to increase efficiency.

Activities :

• Monitor all R&D projects on a weekly basis with the R&D Project Managers in France and India.

• Monitor the budget and costs of R&D activities on a monthly basis, in coordination with the Finance teams.

• Leading R&D meetings within the C&T Group when reporting to General Management and updating the roadmap for subsidiaries.

• Contributing to the R&D funding strategy by responding to calls for proposals for innovation programmes and following them up.

• Providing R&D Project Managers with a vision of project management (cost, deadlines, quality) and promoting an Agile mode using dedicated tools and project rituals.

• Support the R&D Manager in team management: leadership, motivation, conflict resolution.

• Be responsible for the R&D department's quality management system, in particular ISO 9001 and 14001 certification.

• Foster links between the teams in France and India by travelling to India (2 to 4 times a year) to meet and get to know the employees.

Engineering degree (Bac+5) specialising in mechanics, materials science, naval architecture or energy engineering.

More than 8 years' experience in project and team management, technical product development, ideally in an international SME and/or for mass-produced products. Previous experience in the solar industry would be an asset.

• Fluency in French and English.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office suite and SharePoint tools is essential; knowledge of CAD and/or programming software (VBA, Python) would be a plus.

• Excellent teamwork skills, but able to work independently and very proactively to take initiative and solve problems.

• Outstanding management skills, prioritisation and attention to detail.

• Analytical, adaptable, open-minded, able to work with people from different cultures.

• Strong written and oral communication skills in French and English.

****WE ARE OPEN TO FREELANCE PROFILES****