The role is responsible for leading the Research & Development (R&D) and New Product Development (NPD) function for rubber-based products and technologies. This includes driving innovation, improving existing compounds, and ensuring timely and cost-effective development of new rubber products for diverse market applications. The incumbent will play a key role in enhancing product performance, ensuring regulatory compliance, and supporting cross-functional teams across Sales, Production, Quality, and Procurement.

Key Responsibilities:

Strategy, Innovation & Product Development

- Define and execute the R&D & D/NPD roadmap for rubber-based products, compounds, and applications.

- Lead innovation in rubber formulations using recycled rubber, thermoplastic elastomers (TPE), and biopolymers to improve performance and sustainability.

- Continuously evaluate global sources for new or alternate rubber raw materials to support cost optimization without compromising quality.

- Study customer requirements and market trends to identify opportunities for new rubber product development.

- Conduct competitor benchmarking to enhance the company& product portfolio and technical edge in the rubber industry.

- Provide actionable technical insights and recommendations to senior management.

Rubber Compound Development & Process Scale-up

- Develop and validate rubber compounds for specific mechanical, thermal, and chemical performance criteria.

- Ensure successful scale-up from lab trials to plant-level production, in coordination with QA, Production, and Process Engineering teams.

- Oversee development of pilot-scale batches and establish process parameters for full-scale production.

- Prepare and review detailed documentation, including technical datasheets, process charts, and SOPs.

Technical & Cross-functional Collaboration

- Provide technical support to Sales & Marketing for customer-specific requirements and product positioning.

- Collaborate with Purchase for raw material evaluation and sourcing strategies.

- Support QA in establishing product specifications and test methods.

- Participate in customer audits, technical meetings, and product demonstrations.

Regulatory Compliance & Quality System

- Ensure compliance with national and international regulatory standards (REACH, RoHS, FDA, etc.) relevant to rubber products.

- Lead ISO and other quality system implementations related to R&D (ISO9001:2015, 14001:2015, 13485:2016, SMETA 4-Pillar, BSCI, etc.).

- Prepare for and manage internal and external audits; address non-conformities with effective corrective/preventive actions.

- Train and build awareness among the R&D team on regulatory and quality standards.

People Development & Leadership

- Build a technically strong and motivated R&D team with core expertise in rubber compounding, testing, and product development

- Define competency frameworks, assess performance, and provide developmental inputs for team members.

- Plan recruitment and succession strategies aligned with the organizations long-term growth in the rubber sector.

- Drive a culture of innovation, accountability, and continuous learning within the team.

Customer & Industry Engagement

- Visit customers to understand rubber product applications and field performance.

- Liaise with national and international testing laboratories for product validation and certification.

- Engage with industry bodies, research institutes, and universities for collaborative R&D in rubber technology.

- Represent the company at industry events, technical forums, and exhibitions.

Educational Qualification:

B.E./B.Tech/M.Tech in Polymer Science, Rubber Technology

Experience:

20 -25 years of experience in rubber/plastic molding in R&D environment, with at least 10 years in technical leadership