Latex and Compounding Manager

Private Advertiser; Karak; On-site; MYR 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

Private Advertiser in Malaysia seeks a senior polymer scientist to oversee daily latex compounding, QC, and analytical testing. You will lead R&D initiatives to develop durable formulations and mentor the compounding team, ensuring safety and regulatory compliance.

The role emphasizes process optimization, quality control, and collaboration with production to minimize defects and costs.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or higher in Polymer Science, Rubber Technology, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or related field.

Responsibilities

• Direct and oversee daily latex compounding activities and maturation processes.
• Optimize compounding formulations for product sizes to meet modulus, elongation, strength, heat resistance, aging properties.
• Monitor viscosity, pH, TSC, DRC, MST, and pre-vulcanization levels.
• Troubleshoot compounding defects with production line team.
• Enforce rigorous QA/QC protocols for raw materials.
• Lead analytical testing for VFA, KOH, alkalinity, Mg, and trace metals.
• Supervise chemical checks from raw latex to extrusion lines.
• Drive R&D to develop cost-efficient formulations and improve durability.
• Mentor compounding supervisors, lab analysts, and technicians.
• Ensure compliance with safety standards and environmental regulations.

Skills

NRL analysis

Laboratory testing

Process optimization

Root-cause analysis

Industrial safety

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher in Polymer Science

Tools

Viscometers

Tensiometers

Spectrophotometers

Mechanical stability testers

Job description

Key responsibilities

Direct and oversee daily latex compounding activities, chemical dispersion preparation, vulcanization systems, and maturation processes.

Optimize compounding formulations for various product sizes (gauges), ensuring target modulus, elongation, tensile strength, heat resistance, and aging properties.

Monitor critical compounding parameters, including viscosity, pH, Total Solids Content (TSC), Dry Rubber Content (DRC), mechanical stability time (MST), and pre-vulcanization levels (chloroform number/swelling index).

Troubleshoot compounding and extrusion defects (e.g., coagulation, mottling, uneven surface, breakage, uneven curing) in close coordination with the production line team.

Establish, standardize, and enforce rigorous quality control (QC) protocols for incoming raw materials (field latex, concentrated latex 60% DRC, sulfur, accelerators, antioxidants, zinc oxide, pigments, stabilizers).

Lead analytical testing to evaluate volatile fatty acid (VFA) numbers, KOH numbers, alkalinity, magnesium content, and trace metal ions affecting latex stability.

Supervise chemical checking at all intermediate stages—from raw latex reception to compounding tanks, maturation tanks, and extrusion feed lines.

Drive R&D initiatives to develop innovative and cost efficicent formulations, improve product durability, and reduce chemical consumption.

Supervise, mentor, and evaluate compounding supervisors, laboratory analysts, and compounding room technicians.

Ensure full compliance with factory safety standards, chemical handling protocols (MSDS/SDS), and local environmental discharge regulations.

About you

Bachelor's Degree or higher in Polymer Science, Rubber Technology, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Material Science, or a related discipline.

Minimum 5 years of hands‑on experience in natural rubber latex (NRL) analysis and testing methodologies.

Minimum 5 years of hands‑on experience in latex compounding, stabilization, and dispersion formulation.

Minimum 5 years of hands‑on experience in laboratory testing, chemical checking, and quality control.

Minimum 5 years of hands‑on experience in R&D and process optimization for dipped/extruded natural latex rubber products.

Direct experience in natural rubber latex production is strongly preferred.

Deep expertise in colloidal chemistry, natural latex preservation systems, and sulfur vulcanization chemistry.

Proven track record in operating analytical equipment (e.g., viscometers, tensiometers, spectrophotometers, mechanical stability testers).

Strong root‑cause analysis and problem‑solving skills in industrial manufacturing environments.

Solid understanding of factory safety protocols involving hazardous chemicals and bulk liquid storage.