Group Lead 2 ( 82998965 )

Role Purpose

Research and Portfolio Leadership

• Lead multiple research programs and portfolios with end-to-end accountability.
• Drive development of innovative technologies, products, and processes.
• Build innovation pipelines, incubate breakthrough ideas, and solve complex technical challenges.
• Prepare annual plans and quantitative targets for the Elastomer Group.
• Create future research portfolios in addition polymerization and elastomer-related areas.
• Review research project charters, plans, constraints, trends, and alternatives.
• Align Elastomer Group projects with business and manufacturing goals.

Technical Accountabilities

• Plan and execute upgrades for condensation and addition polymerization facilities and projects.
• Anticipate customer and business needs and support technology upgrades.
• Develop exploratory ideas in condensation and addition polymerization into justified project proposals.
• Identify external agencies and specialists and manage third-party engagements.
• Coordinate laboratory accreditation for addition and condensation polymerization activities.
• Assess technical information and databases and approve scientist reports.
• Create value-generation opportunities in elastomer areas.

People, IP, and Compliance

• Mentor, coach, and develop scientists and multiple teams.
• Identify team training needs and support technical and nontechnical competency development.
• Manage team conferences and presentations for skills development.
• Champion intellectual property creation, protection, and portfolio strategy.
• Develop a safety culture and ensure HSEF procedures, regulatory compliance, and safe laboratory practices.
• Ensure compliance with internal management systems and information access controls.

Education and Experience

• PhD in Polymer Science, Rubber Technology, Polymer Technology, Chemistry, Engineering, Science, or a related field.
• 15–18 years of relevant experience in research, development, or technology leadership.
• Minimum 15 years of experience in condensation and addition polymerization.
• Experience leading large research portfolios, technology development, scale-up, commercialization, and external collaborations.
• Experience handling a team of five or more.
• Proven contributions in patents, publications, or industry-recognized innovations.

Technical Expertise

• Advanced polymer characterization for micro- and macro-analysis.
• In-depth rubber compounding ingredients and rubber product application knowledge.
• Composite development based on rubber and other polymers.
• Melt blending and extrusion experience.
• Bench-scale synthesis with kilogram-scale and plant-scale scale-up.
• Suspension polymerization plant troubleshooting and process support.
• Basic knowledge of biodegradability, biopolymers, project management, budget, and CAPEX execution.

Leadership Competencies

• Strategic thinking, innovation leadership, and business acumen.
• Leadership of multidisciplinary teams and complex programs.
• Stakeholder management, influencing, executive communication, and decision-making.
• Cross-functional collaboration, ownership, results orientation, and comfort in culturally diverse environments.
• Familiarity with emerging technologies and digital transformation.

Location

• Role location is Navi Mumbai.