Head - Application & Product Development

Job purpose

The role is focused on creating and leading a well-equipped research and development centre for chlor-alkali products. The objective is to strengthen existing products and processes through applied research, while also developing new products, applications, and variants for industrial, water treatment, plastic, and related sectors in line with business goals.

This position also requires building deep technical capability to solve customer challenges, conduct testing and analysis for chlor-alkali products, and support product certification requirements.

Key responsibilities

You will be expected to set up and drive the R&D centre roadmap, identify emerging product opportunities, and work with marketing to convert market needs into new products and applications. The role includes planning budgets, preparing review materials, and hiring suitable technical talent for the centre.

You will lead new product and application development by studying market trends and internal strengths, validating products through field trials, and coordinating with supply chain teams to standardize raw materials and testing methods.

The job also covers recognition, accreditation, collaboration, and certification activities, including liaison with government bodies, partner institutes, and certification agencies. You will help ensure compliance for existing certificates, support annual audits, and close non-conformities for the units.

In addition, the position involves product and process improvement through pilot trials, benchmarking testing standards, supporting manufacturing teams, and creating technical collateral such as data sheets and brochures. Team leadership, customer technical support, internal capability building, research communication, patenting, and laboratory safety are also part of the scope.

Additional details

The role includes preparation of monthly MIS dashboards and presentation decks for business reviews with leadership. It also requires managing training plans, reviewing team goals, guiding team members, and ensuring implementation of HR processes and policies. The function is expected to support seminars, exhibitions, publications, patents, and customer-site trials where needed.

Key result areas

• Set up and execute the research centre strategy, long-term goals, and project pipeline.
• Identify new segments and markets, and build new products and applications with marketing support.
• Establish the plasticizer centre and define the scope of the application development centre.
• Prepare annual plans and budgets for the R&D centre and secure approvals.
• Create monthly MIS dashboards and review presentations for leadership meetings.
• Recruit and develop skilled technical resources for the centre.
• Develop new formulations, applications, and product variants based on market and capability analysis.
• Run field testing to match products with suitable application areas.
• Work with supply chain teams to optimize raw materials and testing procedures.
• Coordinate with government agencies for required filings and approvals.
• Partner with institutes and organizations on research projects.
• Track certification needs and maintain certificate compliance for products.
• Support annual audits and ensure closure of audit observations.
• Improve product consistency through pilot trials and benchmark setting.
• Support manufacturing teams in enhancing existing products and processes.
• Set up pilot tests, quality plans, procedures, documentation, and reports.
• Help marketing teams prepare product data sheets, brochures, and related materials.
• Define goals, reviews, and development plans for team members.
• Provide ongoing direction, motivation, and training to the team.
• Build technical expertise to support customers, dealers, and internal teams.
• Organize training on new products, applications, and market trends.
• Work directly with customers to diagnose issues and implement solutions.
• Arrange pilot-scale and plant-scale trials at customer locations.
• Manage customer complaints and share progress and improvements with management.
• Present research work at seminars and exhibitions, and pursue publication and patent filings.
• Maintain laboratory safety practices and ensure HR policy compliance.

Safety and governance

Strong laboratory safety practices are required at all levels, including appropriate control of meteorological conditions. The role also includes ensuring that HR processes and company policies are followed consistently.