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 its 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.
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 materialâbased costâreduction opportunities without compromising performance.
- Lead ValueâAdd/ValueâEngineered (VAVE) initiatives by evaluating alternative raw materials, optimizing formulations, and improving process efficiency.
Project Leadership
- Drive technical and crossâfunctional 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, crossâfunctional meetings, and project reviews with clarity and authority.
- Facilitate collaboration across departments to ensure alignment on materials, processes, and development priorities.
Continuous Improvement
- Champion continuous improvement initiatives across formulation, mixing, testing, and production processes.
- Use data, testing results, and rootâcause 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 nonâtechnical stakeholders.
Data Analysis & Reporting
- Analyze test results, production data, and material performance trends to guide decisionâmaking.
- Compile concise, wellâstructured summaries and technical reports that document findings, conclusions, and recommendations.