Job Title: Polymer R&D Head

Location: Pune, and Belgium
Department: R&D, Innovation
Reports To: VP - R&D

About Us:

We are leaders in sustainable and innovative chemical solutions, driving advancements in polymer research for applications in water treatment, detergents, agriculture, and specialty chemicals.

Role Summary:

The Polymer R&D Head will lead global initiatives in polymer innovation, focusing on product development, optimization, and commercialization. This role requires expertise in polymer science, a deep understanding of market trends, and strong leadership to manage cross-functional R&D projects.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Strategic R&D Leadership:

   • Lead the design and development of advanced polymer formulations tailored for industrial applications like water treatment, detergents, and oilfield chemicals.

   • Define long-term R&D goals aligned with sustainability and business objectives.

   • Oversee a portfolio of polymer research projects, ensuring milestones are met on time and within budget.

2. Innovation and Product Development:

   • Develop next-generation polymers with a focus on biodegradability, enhanced performance, and cost efficiency.

   • Collaborate with external stakeholders (suppliers, academic institutions, and industry bodies) to stay ahead of emerging polymer technologies and trends.

3. Sustainability and Compliance:

   • Ensure all R&D projects align with global environmental and regulatory standards, including REACH and EPA.

   • Focus on reducing the ecological footprint of polymer manufacturing processes.

4. Cross-Functional Collaboration:

   • Partner with manufacturing, marketing, and product management teams to ensure seamless technology transfer from R&D to production.

   • Provide technical insights to sales and marketing teams for effective customer communication.

5. Process Optimization and Scale-Up:

   • Oversee the scale-up of polymer formulations from lab to industrial production, ensuring reproducibility and cost-effectiveness.

   • Collaborate with engineering teams to optimize polymer production processes for efficiency and sustainability.

6. Team Leadership and Development:

   • Build and mentor a high-performing R&D team, fostering a culture of innovation and technical excellence.

   • Conduct regular training to upskill team members and ensure knowledge-sharing across teams.

Qualifications:

• Education: PhD or MSc in Polymer Science, Chemistry, or Chemical Engineering.

• Experience: Minimum 10+ years in polymer R&D, with a proven track record of launching successful polymer products.

• Skills:

  • Expertise in polymer formulation, sustainability, and process optimization.

  • Deep knowledge of market trends and competitor products (e.g., BASF Sokalan, Dow Acumer).

  • Strong leadership, project management, and collaboration skills.

Key Metrics for Success:

• Number of successful product launches.

• Reduction in time-to-market for polymer products.

• Cost efficiency and improved performance of polymer formulations.

• Compliance with sustainability and regulatory goals.