Description:

Role Overview:

We are seeking a highly experienced, retired R&D professional from the lubricants and greases industry to provide strategic and technical leadership in formulation development, innovation, and technical services. This role will play a key part in strengthening product portfolios, ensuring global compliance, and supporting customers and OEMs with best-in-class technical expertise.

Key Responsibilities (KRAs):

R&D Leadership & Innovation:

- Lead R&D strategy and innovation for lubricants, greases, and DEF (Diesel Exhaust Fluid) products.

- Drive new product development (NPD), reformulations, and product upgrades aligned with evolving market, regulatory, and OEM requirements.

- Oversee scale-up, pilot trials, and commercialization of formulations ensuring robustness and manufacturability.

- Benchmark formulations against global standards and competitors.

Technical Services & Customer Support:

Provide technical leadership for customer-facing issues, including:

- Field trials and product validation

- Customer complaint analysis and resolution

- Root cause analysis and corrective actions

- Support OEM approvals, product testing, and qualification programs.

- Prepare and review technical documentation, product data sheets, MSDS, and performance reports.

OEM, Quality & Compliance:

- Lead and support OEM audits, customer audits, and regulatory inspections.

- Ensure compliance with global quality standards, industry norms, and environmental regulations.

- Interface with OEMs, testing agencies, and certification bodies.

Multi-Plant & Pan-India Operations:

- Provide technical oversight across multiple manufacturing plants located Pan-India.

- Standardize formulations, processes, and best practices across locations.

- Support plant teams in troubleshooting manufacturing and quality challenges.

Mentorship & Knowledge Transfer:

- Act as a mentor and technical advisor to R&D, QA, and plant teams.

- Support capability building through training, technical workshops, and documentation.

- Enable knowledge transfer and succession planning within the organization.

Must-Have Experience & Qualifications:

- 18+ years of experience in R&D, formulation, and technical services within the lubricants & greases industry.

- Proven expertise in lubricant and grease formulations, additives, base oils, and performance testing.

- Strong exposure to OEM approvals, field trials, and customer qualification processes.

- Experience handling multi-plant, Pan-India operations.

- In-depth knowledge of global quality standards, specifications, and regulatory requirements.

- Prior leadership experience in a commercial or industrial R&D environment.

Ideal Candidate Profile:

- Retired or soon-to-retire senior R&D leaders / technical experts from lubricant, grease, or petroleum product companies.

- Strong problem-solving mindset with hands-on technical depth.

- Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.

- Passion for mentoring and contributing expertise in a meaningful, impactful role.

Why This Role:

- Opportunity to continue a fulfilling professional journey post-retirement.

- Strategic, advisory, and hands-on role with a reputed industry leader.

- High autonomy, respect for expertise, and strong influence on innovation and quality.

- Location advantage: Mumbai headquarters with national impact.