Thermoplastic Material Development R&D Lead Supervisor

Responsibilities

• Lead innovation and development in non-reinforced thermoplastic materials across a diverse range of products and applications.
• Drive high-impact research and development initiatives to improve material performance, enhance quality, reduce costs and waste, and enable new technologies from concept through commercialization.
• Provide both technical and strategic leadership, including mentoring and developing a team of engineers while ensuring alignment between engineering priorities and broader business objectives.
• Lead complex projects using structured development processes, apply data-driven and scientific methodologies such as design of experiments and failure analysis, and collaborate closely with cross-functional teams and external partners to deliver scalable solutions.
• Identify and prioritize innovation opportunities, monitor industry trends in thermoplastics, and maintain strong communication across all levels of the organization.

Requirements

• Holds a bachelor's degree in materials science, mechanical engineering, chemical engineering, or a related field.
• Eight or more years of experience in product, process, or technology development.
• Demonstrated leadership in cross-functional innovation initiatives and a proven ability to coach and develop technical talent while executing technical strategies.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills grounded in scientific methods, and the ability to navigate ambiguity and shifting priorities.

Qualifications

• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• A hands-on mindset.
• A strong commitment to safety, quality, and continuous improvement.

Skills

• Experience with thermoplastic manufacturing processes such as extrusion, injection molding, or compounding.
• Prior people management experience.
• Familiarity with simulation and testing methods.
• Proficiency in statistical analysis tools.