R&D Lab Manager

Exide Energy Solutions Ltd; Bengaluru; On-site; INR 2,800,000 - 4,200,000; Full time

Job summary

Exide Energy Solutions Ltd in Bengaluru is seeking an experienced R&D Lab Manager to oversee the industrial battery R&D laboratory, including analytical equipment handling, coin-cell assembly, pouch-cell manufacturing, and electrochemical testing. You will act as the primary interface between R&D scientists, lab teams, and CFT functions to ensure timely development and efficient operations.

The role requires strong leadership, cross-functional coordination, and a focus on safety, quality, and

Qualifications

• 5+ years in lithium battery lab and cell manufacturing.
• Knowledge of lithium-ion battery materials, cell assembly, and electrochemical testing.
• Experience in managing industrial R&D laboratories.
• Strong leadership and team management capabilities.
• Excellent coordination and stakeholder management skills.
• Knowledge of laboratory equipment maintenance and facility management.
• Experience with procurement, Capex management, and documentation processes

Responsibilities

• Laboratory Operations Management: Manage day-to-day operations of the R&D laboratory.
• Team Management/Leadership: Lead and supervise a multidisciplinary laboratory team.
• R&D Project Execution: Coordinate with R&D Scientists to receive project requirements and testing plans.
• Equipment & Facility Management: Manage operation, maintenance, calibration, and utilization of equipment.
• Cross-Functional Coordination: Coordinate with Production, Quality, Maintenance, Facilities, Procurement, Stores, EHS, Finance, and Administration departments.
• Consumables, Procurement & Capex: Monitor consumables, raise POs, prepare specs and Capex proposals.
• Safety & Compliance: Ensure compliance with laboratory safety and EHS requirements.

Skills

Leadership

Team management

Stakeholder management

Lab operations

Procurement experience

Tools

Glove Boxes

Battery Cyclers

Coin Cell Assembly Equipment

Pouch Cell Manufacturing Equipment

Electrochemical Testing Instruments

Analytical Equipment

Job description

Exide Energy Solutions Ltd is an advanced energy storage company focused on the design, development, and manufacturing of lithium-based battery cells for electric mobility and stationary energy storage applications. The company is building indigenous cell manufacturing capabilities in Bangalore, India,

With a strong emphasis on technology localization, supply chain resilience, and cost competitiveness, Exide Energy Solutions Ltd is investing in materials R&D, supplier ecosystem development, and gigafactory-scale manufacturing. The organization aims to deliver high-performance, safe, and sustainable battery solutions while reducing import dependency and accelerating India’s transition to clean energy.

Role Purpose

The R&D Lab Manager is responsible for the overall management and operation of the industrial battery R&D laboratory, including analytical equipment handling, material processing, coin-cell assembly, pouch-cell manufacturing, electrochemical testing, and laboratory infrastructure. The position acts as the primary interface between R&D scientists, laboratory teams, and CFT departments to ensure timely execution of development projects, efficient resource utilization, and smooth laboratory operations.

Key Responsibilities

Laboratory Operations Management:

• Manage day-to-day operations of the R&D laboratory.
• Ensure timely execution of R&D activities assigned by R&D Scientists.
• Plan manpower allocation, equipment scheduling, and laboratory resources.
• Monitor laboratory productivity, safety, quality, and operational efficiency.

Team Management/Leadership:

Lead and supervise a multidisciplinary laboratory team comprising:

• Material Processing Team
• Analytical Testing Team
• Coin Cell Assembly Team
• Pouch Cell Manufacturing Team
• Electrochemical Testing Team
• Laboratory Support Staff

R&D Project Execution:

• Coordinate with R&D Scientists to receive project requirements and testing plans.
• Assign tasks and monitor execution through laboratory teams.
• Track project timelines, deliverables, and resource utilization.
• Provide regular status updates to R&D Scientists.

Equipment & Facility Management:

Manage operation, maintenance, calibration, and utilization of:

• Glove Boxes
• Dry Lab
• Analytical Equipment’s Related Chemical Testing
• Battery Cyclers
• Coin Cell Assembly Equipment
• Pouch Cell Manufacturing Equipment
• Battery Material Processing Equipment
• Electrochemical Testing Instruments

Cross-Functional Coordination:

• Coordinate with Production, Quality, Maintenance, Facilities, Procurement, Stores, EHS, Finance, and Administration departments.
• Facilitate support required for R&D trials, equipment installation, facility modifications, and utility requirements.
• Coordinate with plant teams during scale-up activities and technology transfer projects.
• Ensure timely resolution of inter-departmental operational issues.

Consumables, Procurement & Capex:

• Monitor laboratory consumables, spare parts, and inventory levels.
• Raise purchase requisitions and track procurement activities.
• Prepare technical specifications, justifications, and Capex proposals for new equipment.
• Support vendor evaluation, installation, commissioning, and acceptance activities.
• Ensure proper maintenance of laboratory records, SOPs, logs, and reports.
• Coordinate invoice verification and billing documentation.
• Process procurement and payment-related documents in coordination with Accounts and Procurement departments.
• Maintain asset and inventory records.

Safety & Compliance:

• Ensure compliance with laboratory safety and EHS requirements.
• Conduct regular safety inspections and risk assessments.
• Ensure safe handling of chemicals, materials, cells, and equipment.

Qualifications & Experience

• 5+ years in lithium battery lab and cell manufacturing
• Knowledge of lithium-ion battery materials, cell assembly, and electrochemical testing.
• Experience in managing industrial R&D laboratories.
• Strong leadership and team management capabilities.
• Excellent coordination and stakeholder management skills.
• Knowledge of laboratory equipment maintenance and facility management.
• Experience with procurement, Capex management, and documentation processes