Role Purpose

To establish and lead a world-class R&D; and Testing Centre for the Max Group, with end-to-end responsibility for laboratory design, technology development, product innovation, testing standards, material development and technical capability building.

The role will be responsible for creating an R&D; centre that is comparable with leading global rubber, polymer and automotive-component companies.

Key Responsibilities

1. R&D; Centre Setup

- Conceptualise and establish the complete R&D; laboratory, including layout, infrastructure, utilities, equipment, testing facilities and technical processes.
- Develop the laboratory master plan, equipment specification, capex roadmap and phased implementation plan.
- Define laboratory systems, SOPs, testing protocols, documentation and quality standards.
- Establish appropriate safety, calibration, traceability and laboratory-control systems.

2. Rubber & Polymer Technology

- Lead development and optimisation of rubber compounds, elastomers, polymers, additives, fillers and formulations.
- Develop new materials and formulations for belts, hoses, seals, O-rings, engineered rubber components and other polymer products.
- Improve existing formulations for performance, cost, durability and manufacturability.
- Drive material substitution, localisation and current technology development.

3. Testing & Characterisation
Establish advanced testing capabilities covering, as applicable:

- Rheology and cure characteristics
- Tensile, elongation, hardness and compression
- Abrasion, fatigue and ageing
- Heat, ozone, oil, chemical and environmental resistance
- Dynamic mechanical properties
- Adhesion and bonding
- Polymer/material characterisation




- Failure analysis and root-cause investigation
- Raw material and finished-product validation

4. Product Development & Plant Support

- Work closely with Production, Quality, Engineering and Sales to convert customer requirements into technical specifications and products.
- Support troubleshooting of formulation, process and product failures.
- Establish structured NPD / validation / approval protocols.
- Reduce dependence on external laboratories through in-house technical capability.

5. Industry & Technology Benchmarking

- Benchmark Max's materials, products and testing capabilities against global rubber, polymer manufacturers.
- Identify emerging materials, technologies, testing methodologies and equipment.
- Build relationships with equipment manufacturers, technical institutes, universities and specialist laboratories.

6. Team & Capability Building

- Build and mentor the R&D; team, including scientists, chemists, laboratory engineers and technicians.
- Establish technical competency matrices, training programmes and knowledge-management systems.
- Create a culture of experimentation, documentation, data-driven development and intellectual property creation.

7. Quality & Accreditation

- Establish systems with a view towards ISO/IEC 17025 laboratory accreditation, wherever relevant.
- Ensure calibration,



method validation, reference standards, proficiency testing and technical records are systematically maintained.
- Develop globally benchmarked testing and reporting practices.

8. Innovation & Strategic R&D;

- Create a structured R&D; pipeline for new products, new materials, process improvement and cost reduction.
- Identify opportunities for patents, proprietary formulations and technology partnerships.
- Provide technical inputs to the MD/Management on long-term technology and product strategy.

Ideal Candidate Profile

- 20-30+ years of experience in Rubber / Polymer technology.
- Strong background in rubber compounding, formulation, material science, product development and laboratory testing.
- Experience with a reputed tyre, automotive rubber, industrial rubber, polymer or engineered elastomer company preferred.
- Should have actually established / led an R&D; laboratory, technology centre or advanced testing facility.
- Strong understanding of rubber testing equipment, laboratory methodology, material characterisation and failure analysis.
- Experience in developing and commercialising rubber/polymer products is essential.
- Strong network within the rubber/polymer industry, technical institutions and equipment suppliers will be an advantage.

Important Senior / Retired Professionals Welcome

The position is specifically open to highly experienced industry professionals, including recently retired senior R&D; leaders, Technical Directors, Chief Scientists and senior Rubber Technologists, who have the capability to establish the centre and mentor the next generation of the technical team.

📌 HEAD R & D /CHIEF Scientist - Rubber & Polymer Technology (Khopoli)
🏢 Max Spare
📍 Khopoli