Department : Research & Development (R&D)
Reports To : [Managing Director / Technical Director]
Location : Panipat
Position Overview
The Head of Development will lead the R&D and product development activities of the compounding division. This role focuses on designing, formulating, and optimizing polymer compounds to meet evolving customer and market requirements. The incumbent will play a strategic role in aligning innovation and technology with business goals, ensuring product quality, process efficiency, and compliance with global standards.
Key Responsibilities
1. Product Development & Innovation
- Lead the design and development of new plastic compounds (PP, PE, ABS, PC, Nylon, TPE, etc.) to meet specific customer and market needs.
- Demonstrate a strong understanding of post-consumer waste (PCR) recycling and its integration into formulations.
- Formulate and test new materials to enhance mechanical, thermal, and chemical properties .
- Oversee color and additive masterbatch development for performance improvement and cost optimization.
- Identify, evaluate, and implement new technologies, additives, and polymers to maintain a competitive edge.
2. Process & Quality Optimization
Collaborate with the production team to scale up formulations from lab to commercial production.Optimize compounding parameters to ensure consistent quality, productivity, and cost efficiency .Troubleshoot technical issues in compounding, extrusion, and product performance.Maintain comprehensive documentation for formulations, test data, and process conditions .3. Leadership & Team Management
Lead and develop a team of R&D engineers, chemists, and lab technicians.Foster a culture of innovation, discipline, and continuous improvement .Mentor team members on formulation techniques, testing methodologies , and problem-solving.4. Customer & Market Interface
Work closely with sales and marketing teams to translate customer needs into technical solutions .Provide technical support for customer trials, audits, and product troubleshooting.Participate in technical presentations, customer audits, and new product introductions .5. Compliance & Documentation
Ensure compliance with standards such as RoHS, REACH, UL, ISO, and GRS .Maintain accurate formulation records and safeguard intellectual property (IP) .Enforce safety, health, and environmental protocols in the R&D laboratory.Qualifications & Experience
Education : B.E. / B.Tech / M.Tech in Polymer Science, Chemical Engineering, or Materials Science.Experience : 10–15 years in polymer compounding, formulation, and R&D;minimum 5 years in a leadership role.
Technical Skills
In-depth knowledge of polymer chemistry, additives, and fillers .Hands-on experience with twin-screw extrusion , mixing, and polymer characterization (MFI, tensile, impact, DSC, TGA, etc.).Familiarity with processing methods such as injection molding, blow molding, and extrusion .Soft Skills
Strong strategic thinking and leadership abilities.Excellent communication and customer orientation .Effective project management and cross-functional collaboration.Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
Turnaround time for new product development .Improvement in cost and performance of existing compounds.Customer satisfaction and success rate in product trials.Strength of innovation pipeline and IP generation.R&D cost efficiency and team productivity.