Assistant Manager - Technical Development Flexible PU

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We connect and develop people with diverse talents all over the world. For you, this means a variety of ways to progress.

Not only your performance but also your personality matter to us, regardless of gender, age, ethnicity, orientation, and background.  At BASF, careers develop from opportunities. 

Objectives of the Position:

• To support customers and Technical Sales (Services and development) on technical solutions through technical development and drive PMU Projects. Identifying customer needs and opportunities in the field of PU Systems through Technical Development.
• PU system development, optimization/fine-tuning, Handling customer complaints, trials at customer end and coordinating with Technical Service for developments and quality complaints, etc

Main Tasks:

Technical Development in South Asia (India)

• Identify and develop new applications for PM portfolio in Polyurethane systems in the field of Flexible Polyurethane foam (Automotive and Furniture Industry).
• To carry out in-house trials and approval for new systems, and to maintain comprehensive documentation of all developments and trials.
• To assist in setting and reviewing specifications for the quality control of all new/existing systems developed.
• Pursue customer-driven innovations / New applications and manage joint development projects with full accountability.
• Contribute to the development of the business strategy by ensuring appropriate information flow.
• Owns the Standard operating procedure, lab equipment maintenance, and EHS BASF guidelines at PU lab and Record Maintenance.
• Evaluation of low-cost alternative raw materials to optimize formulation cost.
• Facilitate Formulation transfer from regional to India system house
• Developing PU system development plan as per the market and implementing it.
• Closure of Timely NCM resolution, liquidation of non-moving /aged stock, and settlement of customer issues
• Collaborate with Internal /External stakeholders of business value chain partners for new business development
• Co-ordination with Regional Technical Development, local Technical Service/Technical Development team, sales team to translate success stories into business growth.

Shared Accountabilities:

• With Industry Team, Technical sales and Service: Initiate product portfolio development of industry
• With Technical sales & Industry marketing: Align with segment strategies and coordinate local Technical Service/Technical Development and application development activities in alignment with country and regional TD/TS leadership.
• Optimize the course of work quality through timely reprocessing and re-validation in coordination with technical sales, Supply Chain Management, Customer Service Officer, Quality Assurance, and production.

Key Shared Accountabilities:

Regional Industry Team:

• Contributes & educate the regional Technical Development team and local Technical Sales on product/application/ process challenges
• Participate in regional Technical Development activities (Trials, new system developments, R&D topics)
• With Operations
• Thane / Dahej site - Contribute to Polyol Product improvement
• Standardization of Lab developed product to actual production
• Work closely with the QA team for TS support / fine tuning
• Localization of C-A through substitution of equivalent/better quality alternate RM

Parameter for success:

Financial Metrics:

• Cost of quality – No product return if QA released material
• Discretionary cost < 20 % compared to previous years
• Aged inventory > 180 days: Nil (Liquidation of Returned goods and Reprocessing-plan)
• Low-cost product development – Evaluate low-cost alternative raw materials, third-party base polyols, etc.,

Operational/organizational metrics:

Innovations:

• Continuously share customer feedback on Industry Trend, Product Requirement, Regulatory Needs / changes, Information on NBA products vide close interaction with various stake holders in customer organization that helps to Ideate and fill pipeline and project management

Commercial Excellence:

• Drive best business practices
• NCM (Technical) resolution
• Ensure business sustainability

Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in Chemical / Polymer Science & Plastics Engineering or Post Graduate Diploma in Polymer Engineering    
• 5-8 years of experience in Polymer (Flexible Foam) Industry.
• Knowledge of PU system value chain understanding, formulation development, troubleshooting, processing/foaming & Post Molding process is a must.
• Knowledge of Automotive Industry Value chain / PU system handling experience is preferable
• Knowledge of PU Part Design/Processing is added advantage