About this role
Job description:
1. Summary of the role
Technical Leadership & Material Expertise
• Act as the subject-matter expert on rubber materials, formulations, and processing interactions.
• Analyze how raw materials, mixing parameters, and downstream processes affect compound performance.
• Evaluate the consequences of formulation or process changes and provide clear guidance to stakeholders.
• Support quality, purchasing, and customer-facing teams with technical insight and problem-solving.
Compound Development Ownership
• Lead the full lifecycle of compound development—from initial concept and formulation through pilot trials and full-scale production.
• Maintain accountability for performance, manufacturability, cost, and customer satisfaction at every stage.
• Document development work, testing results, and decision rationales to ensure traceability and continuous improvement.
R&D Mixing Lab Leadership
• Establish, equip, and operate an R&D mixing laboratory to support innovation, testing, and rapid prototyping.
• Develop lab procedures, safety protocols, and testing workflows aligned with production requirements.
• Use the lab to accelerate development cycles, validate new materials, and troubleshoot production issues.
Collaboration with Mixing Facility
• Partner closely with the mixing facility and team to align capabilities, processes, and development needs.
• Ensure smooth scale-up from lab to production by coordinating trials, optimizing parameters, and validating performance.
• Provide technical training, guidance, and support to mixing personnel as needed.
2. Tasks and Responsibilities
Core Responsibilities
Formulation & Recipe Development
• Develop new rubber formulations and compound recipes tailored to performance, processing, and cost requirements.
• Maintain and continuously refine existing formulations to ensure consistency, quality, and alignment with evolving material availability and customer needs.
Cost Optimization & VAVE
• Identify and execute material‑based cost‑reduction opportunities without compromising performance.
• Lead Value‑Add/Value‑Engineered (VAVE) initiatives by evaluating alternative raw materials, optimizing formulations, and improving process efficiency.
Project Leadership
• Drive technical and cross‑functional projects from concept through implementation, ensuring alignment with timelines, deliverables, and business objectives.
• Coordinate with purchasing, quality, production, and customer teams to ensure smooth execution and clear communication.
R&D Lab Development
• Build and develop an R&D laboratory to support formulation work, testing, and rapid prototyping.
• Establish lab workflows, equipment needs, safety practices, and testing capabilities that mirror or support production processes.
Team & Meeting Leadership
• Lead technical discussions, cross‑functional meetings, and project reviews with clarity and authority.
• Facilitate collaboration across departments to ensure alignment on materials, processes, and development priorities.
• Work cross-functionally with Application Engineering and Sales to translate customer needs into innovative material solutions that enable growth.
Continuous Improvement
• Champion continuous improvement initiatives across formulation, mixing, testing, and production processes.
• Use data, testing results, and root‑cause analysis to drive improvements in quality, performance, and efficiency.
Technical Communication & Presentations
• Prepare and deliver clear, compelling presentations for internal teams, leadership, and customers.
• Translate complex technical information into actionable insights for non‑technical stakeholders.
Data Analysis & Reporting
• Analyze test results, production data, and material performance trends to guide decision‑making.
• Compile concise, well‑structured summaries and technical reports that document findings, conclusions, and recommendations.
3. Education and Experience
• Bachelor's/Masters Degree and min. 5 years experience.
• Polymer Science / Polymer Engineering
• Chemical Engineering
• Materials Science & Engineering
• Chemistry
• 3–10+ years of rubber compounding or materials development experience
• Hands‑on exposure to mixing, testing, and processing
• Experience working with production teams, quality, purchasing, and customers
• Proven ability to lead projects and solve complex material problems
4. Competences
Communication Excellence
• Communicates clearly, confidently, and professionally in both written and verbal formats.
• Tailors communication to technical and non‑technical audiences, ensuring alignment and understanding across teams.
Integrity & Confidentiality
• Demonstrates trustworthiness when handling sensitive technical, commercial, or customer information.
• Maintains discretion and adheres to ethical standards in all interactions.
Problem‑Solving Capability
• Approaches challenges with a structured, logical mindset.
• Identifies root causes quickly and develops practical, data‑driven solutions.
Analytical Thinking
• Interprets complex data, test results, and material behavior to guide decisions.
• Uses critical thinking to evaluate options, anticipate consequences, and optimize outcomes.
Independence & Initiative
• Works effectively with minimal supervision, taking ownership of tasks and decisions.
• Proactively identifies opportunities for improvement and drives them forward.
Responsibility & Accountability
• Takes full responsibility for commitments, deliverables, and outcomes.
• Follows through consistently and maintains high standards of quality and reliability.
• Maintains a holistic view of materials, processes, cost drivers, and customer requirements.
5. Key Interfaces and Stakeholders
• Describe which interfaces and stakeholders the position will have in the job. (For example outside customers, R&D internally, manager, peers).
Operations
• · Collaborates closely with production teams to ensure formulations run efficiently at scale.
• · Supports troubleshooting, process optimization, and alignment between lab development and factory capability.
Sales
• · Provides technical insight to support customer discussions, quotations, and new business opportunities.
• · Ensures sales teams understand material capabilities, limitations, and value propositions.
Development / Engineering
• · Works jointly on new product introductions, design changes, and performance requirements.
• · Develop innovative material solutions that drive sustainable growth.
• · Aligns material choices with engineering needs and long‑term product strategies.
Customers
• · Serves as a technical contact for material performance, testing, and issue resolution.
• · Translates customer requirements into actionable formulation and process decisions.
Operators
• · Engages with mixing, extrusion, molding, and testing operators to understand real‑world challenges.
• · Provides guidance, training, and feedback to ensure consistent execution of material specifications.
Purchasing
• · Partners on raw material selection, supplier qualification, and cost‑reduction initiatives.
• · Ensures material choices balance performance, availability, and commercial targets.
Suppliers
• · Maintains strong relationships with raw material suppliers to stay informed on new technologies, pricing, and supply chain risks.
• · Evaluates supplier data, samples, and technical support for formulation development.
Quality Control (QC)
• · Works with QC to define testing requirements, interpret results, and maintain material consistency.
• · Supports investigations, audits, and corrective actions related to material performance.
6. Geography to cover and travel requirements
• Indicate if the responsibility is global/international/country/or local. Indicate if travelling or off site work days are required and give an estimation of days per year.
• 50% travel
7. Behavioral Characteristics
• Describe personality traits important for success in the position. (Examples: flexibility, integrity, creativity, goal orientation, cooperation, initiative taking).
Flexibility
• · Adapts quickly to changing priorities, customer needs, and production realities.
• · Maintains effectiveness in fast‑paced environments where materials, timelines, or requirements may shift.
Engagement & Initiative
• · Shows genuine commitment to projects, teams, and organizational goals.
• · Demonstrates high energy, curiosity, and a proactive approach to solving challenges and driving progress.
Team Orientation
• · Collaborates effectively across departments, fostering trust and shared ownership.
• · Supports colleagues, encourages open communication, and contributes to a positive team culture.
Emotional Intelligence
• · Understands and manages personal emotions while responding constructively to others.
• · Navigates conflict, feedback, and high‑pressure situations with composure and empathy.
• · Builds strong relationships through active listening, respect, and awareness of diverse perspectives.
8. Key Performance Indicators
Compound Development & Innovation
• · Develop a targeted number of new or improved rubber compounds per year, aligned with customer needs and internal growth objectives.
• · Ensure new formulations meet performance, processing, and cost requirements while transitioning smoothly from lab to production.
• · Maintain and continuously improve existing formulations to enhance quality, consistency, and manufacturability.
Cost Optimization & Value Engineering
• · Achieve annual price improvements on existing compounds through material substitutions, formulation optimization, and VAVE initiatives.
• · Deliver quantifiable cost savings without compromising performance or customer satisfaction.
• · Support Purchasing with technical insights that strengthen supplier negotiations and material strategy.
Process Efficiency & Mixing Performance
• · Reduce mixing cycle times through formulation refinement, improved dispersion, and process optimization.
• · Increase throughput and reduce variability by aligning material behavior with equipment capabilities.
• · Partner with Operations to validate improvements and ensure repeatability at production scale.
Technical Problem‑Solving & Analytical Rigor
• · Diagnose material, process, and performance issues using structured problem‑solving and data‑driven analysis.
• · Provide timely, accurate technical guidance to internal teams and customers.
• · Compile clear summaries, reports, and recommendations based on testing and evaluation.
Cross‑Functional Collaboration & Stakeholder Engagement
· Maintain strong working relationships with Operations, Sales, Development, QC, Purchasing, Suppliers, and Customers.
· Lead meetings, technical reviews, and project discussions with clarity and confidence.
· Ensure alignment across departments on formulation changes, development timelines, and performance expectations
Leadership, Initiative & Continuous Improvement
· Demonstrate ownership of projects, timelines, and outcomes with minimal supervision.
· Drive continuous improvement initiatives in materials, processes, and testing methodologies.
· Contribute to a collaborative, team‑oriented environment through engagement, flexibility, and emotional intelligence.
Communication & Professional Conduct
· Deliver clear, concise written and verbal communication tailored to diverse audiences.
· Handle confidential information with integrity and professionalism.
· Present technical findings, project updates, and recommendations in a structured, compelling manner.
NOTE: This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive. Employees may perform other related duties as required to meet the ongoing needs of the organization.
Benefits:
• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Tuition reimbursement
• Vision insurance
Work Location: In person