Sr. Manager - R&D (Decorative Paints) (Interior & Exterior Emulsions)

Hathi Cement; Maharashtra; On-site; INR 1,800,000 - 3,000,000; Full time

Job summary

Hathi Cement in Maharashtra, India is seeking an experienced R&D leader for Product Formulation & Development in decorative paints and architectural coatings. The role focuses on developing water-based emulsions, textures, primers and topcoats.

You will lead end-to-end NPD activities, supervise trials from lab to commercialization, and work with Production, Quality Control and Procurement to ensure successful launches and cost optimization.

Qualifications

• 10–15 years of relevant experience in decorative paints or architectural coatings.
• Hands-on experience in developing finished interior and exterior emulsion paints, textures and primers.
• Experience in successful product commercialization and formulation cost optimization.
• Ability to lead an R&D team and manage development projects.
• Strong collaboration with Production, Quality Control and Procurement.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end NPD activities, including trials, pilot batches, scale-up and commercialization.
• Develop and optimize interior/exterior water-based emulsions, textures, primers and topcoats.
• Improve product performance: durability, washability, weather resistance, coverage, sheen and application.
• Coordinate with Sales/Marketing to align with customer requirements.
• Ensure compliance with BIS, ASTM, ISO standards.
• Guide and develop the R&D team to meet objectives.

Skills

Product formulation

New product development

Product performance

Technical benchmarking

Cost optimization

Market-driven innovation

Cross-functional coordination

Quality & compliance

R&D team leadership

Job description

1. Product Formulation & Development: Develop and optimize interior and exterior water-based emulsions, exterior sand textures, primers and topcoats.
2. New Product Development: Lead end-to-end NPD activities, including laboratory trials, pilot batches, plant trials, scale-up and commercialization.
3. Product Performance: Improve durability, washability, weather resistance, coverage, sheen and application performance.
4. Technical Benchmarking: Evaluate competitor products and develop formulations that meet or exceed market performance standards.
5. Cost Optimization: Identify alternative raw materials, optimize formulations and reduce product costs without compromising quality.
6. Market-Driven Innovation: Coordinate with Sales and Marketing to understand customer requirements and develop commercially viable products.
7. Cross-Functional Coordination: Work closely with Production, Quality Control and Procurement teams for product validation and successful launches.
8. Quality & Compliance: Ensure adherence to BIS, ASTM, ISO and applicable quality, safety and regulatory standards.
9. R&D Team Leadership: Guide and develop the R&D team, manage development projects and ensure timely achievement of NPD objectives.Role & responsibilities

Preferred candidate profile

Candidates should have 10 - 15 years of relevant experience in decorative paints or architectural coatings, with proven hands‑on experience in developing finished interior and exterior emulsion paints, exterior textures and primers.

Experience in successful product commercialization, formulation cost optimization and R&D team handling will be preferred.