R&D - General Manager

Title: R&D General Manager: LATI LOXIM Thermoplastics Private Ltd

Location: Sanand, Gujarat

Experience: > 10 years in the engineering plastics/ related industry

Education: Bachelors and Masters degree in Plastics/Polymer Science, Materials Science, or related field (required); PhD in Polymer Science/ Material Chemistry (preferred)

About LATI - LOXIM

11 June 2025 LATI S.p.A and LOXIM announced the creation of a strategic joint venture aimed at strengthening the presence of both companies in the Indian market for engineering plastics. This agreement follows the spin-off of LOXIMs Engineering Compounds division and the formation of a new entity, LATI-LOXIM Thermoplastics Private Limited, jointly established by both companies.

The new company will combine LATI&aposs technological know-how, as a European (Italy) leader in high-performance techno polymers, with LOXIM&aposs strong local presence, well-established position in the automotive and electrical markets, and extensive business network across India. LATI - LOXIM operates with an annual production capacity of 20,000 tons and has a prominent presence in the industrial district of Sanand (Gujarat). This robust manufacturing base will enable the joint venture to efficiently address the growing demand in the E&E, automotive, industrial, and consumer goods industry.

The Role

We are seeking an experienced and results-driven R&D -General Manager to lead the Engineering Thermoplastics business at LATI-LOXIM. This position will be the technical face of the company, taking end-to-end ownership of the entire product value chain from new product development, formulation, raw material qualification, and application support, to commercial scale-up and customer engagement. The ideal candidate will have strong technical acumen in engineering plastics extrusion, especially for automotive, electrical & electronics (E&E), and white goods applications. The role requires foresight, creativity, and leadership to steer product innovation, keep pace with industry trends, and build a strong team culture of ownership and excellence.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the full product value chain, including formulation, process optimization, raw material selection, testing, certifications, and application engineering.
• Define and execute R&D strategy focused on pipeline expansion, new technologies, and process innovation aligned with market and customer needs.
• Monitor industry trends and emerging materials to identify obsolete products and next-gen opportunities.
• Engage customers and stakeholders, using technical expertise to support sales and promote solutions to OEMs and similar application partners.
• Develop cost-effective formulations and work with procurement to track raw material markets and pre-approve alternatives amid supply or cost shifts.
• Oversee testing and certifications, coordinating with third-party labs for UL, REACH, ROHS, and technical analyses like TGA and DSC.
• Ensure regulatory compliance and manage R&D audit activities.
• Lead scale-up from lab to commercial production, ensuring effective tech transfer, documentation, and process stability.
• Build, lead, and train a high-performance R&D team with a culture of accountability, innovation, and cross-functional collaboration.

Skills and Knowledge

• Strong technical foundation in engineering thermoplastics (PBT, PA, PC, alloys, etc.) and advanced knowledge of material science, especially polymer structure-property relationships.
• Proven experience in developing and commercializing high-performance compounds for demanding applications in automotive, E&E, and appliances.
• Ability to assess and respond to market trends and technology shifts, including competitor benchmarking and material evolution.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills to interface effectively with internal teams and external stakeholders.
• Proficient in technical documentation, reporting, and use of digital tools for data management and analysis.

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