R&D Manager – Technical / QA / QC

Sika is a specialty chemicals company with a leading position in the development and production of systems and products for bonding, sealing, damping, reinforcing, and protecting in the building sector and motor vehicle industry. Sika has subsidiaries in 103 countries around the world and manufactures in over 400 factories. Its 33,500 employees generated annual sales of CHF 11.76 billion in 2024.

Job Purpose:

The R&D Manager will lead and manage the Technical Department, including R&D, Quality Assurance (QA), and Quality Control (QC) functions. This role is responsible for developing new products, optimizing existing formulations for performance and cost, ensuring product quality and consistency, and supporting production and sales teams with technical expertise. The ideal candidate will have a strong chemical background, excellent English communication skills, and experience in the construction chemicals industry.

Key Responsibilities:

Research & Product Development

• Lead the development of new products in the concrete admixture and mortar (cementitious) product ranges in alignment with market needs and company strategy.
• Optimize existing product formulations to improve cost efficiency, performance, and sustainability.
• Stay up-to-date with market trends, raw material innovations, and competitor products.

Technical Leadership & Support

• Supervise and lead the technical team, including laboratory staff and QA/QC personnel.
• Provide technical support to the sales and marketing teams, including customer trials, presentations, and site visits.
• Liaise with production to ensure successful scale-up and implementation of formulations.

Quality Assurance / Quality Control

• Oversee QA/QC processes and ensure all products meet defined specifications and quality standards.
• Develop and maintain Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), test methods, and quality documentation.
• Ensure laboratory and testing equipment is properly calibrated and maintained.

Regulatory & Compliance

• Ensure all products comply with relevant national and international standards (e.g., ASTM, EN, local building codes).

• Support the implementation and maintenance of ISO 9001 (Quality) and ISO 14001 (Environmental) systems.

Qualifications & Skills:

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or a related field.
• Minimum 5 years of experience in R&D or technical management in the construction chemicals industry, preferably with exposure to both concrete admixtures and cementitious products.
• Strong understanding of polymer chemistry, additives, and formulations for admixtures and dry mortar products.
• Excellent English communication skills (written and verbal).
• Proven leadership and team management capabilities.
• Hands-on experience with lab testing equipment and methods used in construction materials.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs):

• Number of new products developed and launched
• Cost savings from formulation optimization
• Product quality compliance rate (QA/QC KPIs)
• Customer satisfaction with technical support
• On-time completion of product development projects