R&D and Quality Control Manager

The Manager R&D and Quality Control will lead product development and quality assurance for ECMAS's construction chemical systems. This role owns the full development lifecycle from formulation and lab validation to plant-scale quality control and works closely with Sales, Marketing, Production, and Purchasing to ensure products are innovative, reliable, and aligned with market and customer needs.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Product Formulation & Development

• Develop and refine formulations for existing and new products across the following categories:

- Waterproofing systems: Acrylic, Polyurethane, Polyurea, Crystalline

- Injection systems: Cementitious, Epoxy, Polyurethane

Grouts & repair mortars Cementitious, Epoxy

- Adhesives & bonding agents: Acrylic, SBR, Epoxy

- Flooring systems Epoxy, Cementitious, PU

- Protective coatings

• Deliver new product development projects on time, within budget, and to the agreed specification.
• Plan raw-material requirements for new products and product modifications well in advance, coordinating closely with the Purchasing and Production teams.
• Identify and qualify new and improved raw materials, packaging materials, and vendors.

2. R&D Strategy and Governance

• Ensure all R&D systems and practices are aligned with company strategy, and monitor execution of the R&D roadmap for new products.
• Evaluate the performance of new products using feedback from sales teams and customers, along with physical performance data, and report findings to management.
• Make evidence-based recommendations to justify resource allocation for product development, technical service, and production support.

3. Quality Assurance & Lab Management

• Manage the day-to-day activities of the QA function and the laboratory.
• Plan and coordinate technical activities across the plant and lab, driving continuous improvement in product quality.
• Implement and maintain robust quality systems, including a monthly audit of the quality process.
• Direct and execute lab activities during new product development, including process sheets and job sheets with internal raw-material coding.
• Prepare and maintain Material Test Certificates (MTCs).
• Evaluate the performance of existing products and drive further improvements and cost optimisation as required by sales and management.
• Manage certifications and accreditations with external/third-party laboratories.

4. Documentation & Compliance

• Prepare and keep up to date all product Technical Data Sheets (TDS) and Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS).
• Maintain all R&D and QA records and documentation in line with ISO requirements.

5. Customer & Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner with Sales and Marketing to identify, develop, and evaluate new products and technologies, providing a monthly progress report to management.
• Work directly with customers and the sales team to support field trials of new products.
• Address and resolve product-quality-related customer complaints promptly and within agreed timelines.
• Support production and plant operations by developing, evaluating, and implementing new production processes and methods.