Manager - R&D - (Construction Chemicals) - Mahape, Navi Mumbai

Designation - Manager - R&D

Location - Mahape, Navi Mumbai.

Role & responsibilities

Product Development and Formulation

• Develop new drymix products and improve existing formulations to meet market, performance, and cost targets.
• Design formulations around binders (OPC, white cement, CAC, gypsum, lime), graded sands and fillers, and additives (cellulose ethers, redispersible polymer powders, starch ethers, superplasticizers, retarders, accelerators, defoamers, hydrophobic agents, fibers, pigments).
• Optimize open time, slip resistance, workability, water retention, adhesion, flexibility, shrinkage, strength development, and durability.
• Run the stage-gate process: concept, lab trials, pilot batch, plant trial, field trial, commercial launch.
• Create technical data sheets (TDS), safety data sheets (SDS) inputs, and application guidelines

Cost Optimization and Value Engineering

• Reduce formulation cost without compromising performance, through raw material substitution, additive dosage optimization, and sand and filler gradation optimization.
• Evaluate alternative and local raw materials (fly ash, GGBS, limestone filler, manufactured sand).
• Maintain cost-performance benchmarking against competitor products.

Raw Material Qualification and Supplier Management

• Qualify and approve new raw materials and suppliers: incoming specifications, sample testing, batch-to-batch consistency checks.
• Work with procurement and suppliers (additive and polymer manufacturers) on technical support, trials, and issue resolution.
• Maintain approved material lists and alternate-source readiness for supply continuity

Testing, Quality, and Standards Compliance

• Ensure products comply with applicable standards (e.g., IS 15477, EN 12004, EN 13888/ISO 13007, EN 998-1/2, IS 2547, EN 1504, ASTM or BIS equivalents) and client or project specifications.
• Oversee lab testing: compressive and flexural strength, tensile adhesion, open time, slip, water absorption, shrinkage, flow and consistency, setting time, particle size distribution, bulk density, and moisture content.
• Support product certifications, third-party testing, and audits (ISO 9001 and similar).
• Maintain lab equipment, calibration, and test records.

Plant and Process Support

• Support scale-up from lab to production: mixer efficiency, batching sequence, homogeneity, dust control, and packaging.
• Define production specifications, batch formulas, and quality control (QC) checkpoints with the plant and quality teams.
• Investigate production deviations, customer complaints, and non-conformances; lead root cause analysis and corrective and preventive actions (CAPA).

6. Technical Service and Market Support

• Provide technical training to sales teams, dealers, applicators, and contractors.
• Support key customers, architects, and project specifications; handle site visits and failure investigations (hollowness, efflorescence, cracking, debonding, staining).
• Prepare technical presentations, case studies, and application demonstrations.

7. Innovation and Market Intelligence

• Track industry trends such as low-carbon cement, sustainable binders, lightweight and high-performance mortars, rapid-setting and polymer-modified systems, and construction chemicals technology.
• Benchmark competitor products and identify gaps and new product opportunities.
• Explore IP and patent opportunities and manage technical know-how confidentiality.

8. Team Leadership and Budgeting

• Lead, mentor, and develop the R&D and lab team; set KPIs and project priorities.
• Plan and manage the R&D budget, equipment investments, and project timelines.
• Report project status, risks, and outcomes to senior management regularly.

9. Health, Safety, and Sustainability

• Ensure safe handling of cement, silica-containing materials, and chemical additives in the lab and trials.
• Promote sustainability goals: reduced clinker content, recycled materials, EPDs, and waste minimization.

Preferred candidate profile

Education: B.E./B.Tech or M.Tech/MSc in Civil Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, or Chemistry (construction chemicals or cement technology preferred). PhD is an advantage.

Experience 10-15 years in drymix, construction chemicals, or cement and mortar industries, with at least 3-5 years in a team leadership role.