RESEARCHER ASSOCIATE - INNOVATION (EG11)

Hartalega NGC Sdn Bhd; Sepang; On-site; MYR 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Hartalega NGC Sdn Bhd invites a Researcher Associate - Innovation to lead small teams or projects focused on breakthrough product development and process improvements within our high‑volume nitrile gloves platform. You will own project execution, technical governance, and the expansion of team capabilities to meet ambitious innovation goals.

Responsibilities include translating customer design inputs into clear requirements, coordinating cross‑functional plans, applying R&D frameworks, and

Qualifications

• Ph.D in Chemistry, Polymer Science, Material Science, Polymer Engineering, Material Engineering or Applied Chemistry or equivalent.
• Minimum 6 years leading innovative R&D on new products and processes.
• Minimum 2 years’ experience in patent registration (local and international).
• At least 2 successful projects commercialised.

Responsibilities

• Execute project strategies to deliver breakthrough innovation, product development, process improvements, and cost efficiency within projects.
• Translate customer design inputs into clear technical requirements, development approaches, and project execution plans.
• Coordinate with cross-functional teams to ensure alignment, translate project priorities into actionable plans, and monitor project progress.
• Apply RND frameworks, experimental design principles, and best practices; facilitate cross-functional brainstorming and identify patentable innovations and technical claims.
• Act as the escalation point for technical issues, identify and mitigate project-level technical risks, and escalate unresolved issues as required.
• Develop team capabilities and skills through coaching, mentoring, and support for recruitment, development, and retention initiatives.
• Lead project-level continuous improvement and innovation initiatives, supporting incremental innovations and project enhancements.
• Coordinate experiments or trials with external partners, ensuring accurate documentation and technical feedback.
• Perform additional duties as required to meet project and functional objectives.

Skills

Team leadership

Project management

Technical governance

Cross-functional collaboration

Experiment design

Education

Ph.D in Chemistry/Polymer Science/Material Science/Polymer Engineering/Material Engineering/Applied Chemistry

Job description

RESEARCHER ASSOCIATE - INNOVATION (EG11)

Lead and manage small teams or projects to drive breakthrough innovation, product development, and process improvements.

Take accountability for project execution, technical governance, and developing team capabilities.

Responsibilities

1. Execute project strategies to deliver breakthrough innovation, product development, process improvements, and cost efficiency within projects.
2. Translate customer design inputs into clear technical requirements, development approaches, and project execution plans.
3. Coordinate with cross-functional teams to ensure alignment, translate project priorities into actionable plans, and monitor project progress.
4. Apply RND frameworks, experimental design principles, and best practices; facilitate cross-functional brainstorming and identify patentable innovations and technical claims.
5. Act as the escalation point for technical issues, identify and mitigate project-level technical risks, and escalate unresolved issues as required.
6. Develop team capabilities and skills through coaching, mentoring, and support for recruitment, development, and retention initiatives.
7. Lead project-level continuous improvement and innovation initiatives, supporting incremental innovations and project enhancements.
8. Coordinate experiments or trials with external partners, ensuring accurate documentation and technical feedback.
9. Perform additional duties as required to meet project and functional objectives.

Qualification and Experience

1. Ph.D in (Chemistry)/(Polymer Science)/(Material Science)/(Polymer Engineering)/ (Material Engineering)/(Applied Chemistry) or equivalent combination of relevant education and/or experience
2. Minimum 6 years in leading and managing innovative and breakthrough research on new products and processes.
3. Minimum 2 years’ experience in patent registration (local and international).
4. At least 2 successful projects commercialised

Unlock job insights

Hirer responsiveness Salary match Number of applicants

Chemicals & Plastics Manufacturing 5,001-10,000 employees

The Hartalega story began in 1988. Our insatiable appetite to constantly surpass our own achievements has transformed what started as a single-line production facility into what we are today, the leading nitrile gloves manufacturer in the world, with a growing capacity to produce billions of gloves every year. We export to over 70 countries across five continents, namely Americas, Asia, Europe, Australia and Africa.

As an industry leader, we pave the way forward through our commitment to innovation. We invented the world's first lightweight nitrile glove, which revolutionalised the industry by shifting the global demand from latex to nitrile gloves. Today, we are home to advanced proprietary manufacturing technology that allows us to safeguard the quality of our products and the efficiency of our operations. Our unrivalled proprietary technology provides us with an important competitive edge as we own the fastest production lines in the industry, producing more than 45,000 gloves per hour.

In all that we do, we are guided by our SHIELD (Synergy, Honesty, Innovation, Excellence, Learning, Dedication) values to do the right thing at all times. As we continue to grow by leaps and bounds, we are single-minded in ensuring that we make a meaningful difference by enriching lives, from the healthcare practitioners and the people they care for to our very own #TeamHartanians, stakeholders and the community. We welcome like-minded individuals to be part of our exciting team. Together, let us make a difference.

The Hartalega story began in 1988. Our insatiable appetite to constantly surpass our own achievements has transformed what started as a single-line production facility into what we are today, the leading nitrile gloves manufacturer in the world, with a growing capacity to produce billions of gloves every year. We export to over 70 countries across five continents, namely Americas, Asia, Europe, Australia and Africa.

As an industry leader, we pave the way forward through our commitment to innovation. We invented the world's first lightweight nitrile glove, which revolutionalised the industry by shifting the global demand from latex to nitrile gloves. Today, we are home to advanced proprietary manufacturing technology that allows us to safeguard the quality of our products and the efficiency of our operations. Our unrivalled proprietary technology provides us with an important competitive edge as we own the fastest production lines in the industry, producing more than 45,000 gloves per hour.

In all that we do, we are guided by our SHIELD (Synergy, Honesty, Innovation, Excellence, Learning, Dedication) values to do the right thing at all times. As we continue to grow by leaps and bounds, we are single-minded in ensuring that we make a meaningful difference by enriching lives, from the healthcare practitioners and the people they care for to our very own #TeamHartanians, stakeholders and the community. We welcome like-minded individuals to be part of our exciting team. Together, let us make a difference.