TSE CASE R&D Manager

TSE Industries Inc•Clearwater, FL

3d•$94,000 - $111,000

About The Position

The R&D Manager leads the company's research and development activities, with a primary emphasis on polyurethane formulation development and scale-up for toll manufacturing customers. The role develops, evaluates, and optimizes customer-specific formulations and oversees their transition from laboratory development into commercial manufacturing. Working with customers and internal Operations, Sales, Purchasing, Quality, and Chemical Process Engineering teams, the R&D Manager translates customer requirements into practical, scalable, commercially viable formulations. The position manages projects from technical evaluation through formulation development, production scale-up, and customer qualification, ensuring technical requirements, timelines, and business objectives are met. The R&D Manager leads and mentors R&D staff, allocates resources across projects, and manages both the Analytical and R&D laboratories. The role supports customer satisfaction, revenue growth, cost savings, and long-term business objectives. The work involves rapidly changing priorities and exposure to isocyanates; applicants must pass pre-employment and annual pulmonary function tests. TSE does not hire people with pre-existing respiratory conditions or people who smoke substances of any kind for this position.

Requirements

Master's degree in Organic Chemistry and a minimum of two years of related work experience.
Three to five years of experience specific to chemical formulations and a strong understanding of polyurethanes.
Working knowledge of analytical laboratory devices such as Brookfield viscometers, FTIR, GPC, and titration equipment.
Demonstrated understanding of applicable government regulations and general chemistry guidelines.
At least five years of broad technical experience, including three to five years of professional experience in an industrial R&D environment.
Proficiency in chemistry mathematics, biology, engineering principles, and chemical mixing technology.
At least two years of experience managing complex projects and managing and mentoring technical personnel in R&D, including at least two years in R&D management.
Ability to complete and maintain safety training according to the Safety Training Matrix.
Ability to pass a pre-employment and annual pulmonary function test.
Applicants with pre-existing respiratory conditions, including asthma, chronic bronchitis, or emphysema, are not hired for this position because of isocyanate exposure risks.
People who smoke substances of any kind are not employed in this position.

Nice To Haves

In-depth working knowledge of methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (MDI) and toluene diisocyanate (TDI) chemistries, reactive hot melt chemistry, and raw material offsets.

Responsibilities

Lead new and modified polyurethane formulations from laboratory development through pilot trials, process validation, and full-scale commercial production.
Work directly with customers to understand technical requirements, product performance expectations, processing needs, and commercial objectives.
Translate customer concepts, specifications, and performance targets into laboratory development plans and commercially viable formulations.
Lead formulation development, raw material evaluations, performance testing, troubleshooting, and product optimization.
Identify opportunities to expand technical capabilities, product offerings, and toll manufacturing business.
Set project priorities based on customer commitments, business growth opportunities, technical feasibility, and expected financial returns.
Collaborate with Chemical Process Engineering and Operations to establish manufacturing procedures, process parameters, quality controls, and acceptance criteria for new products.
Troubleshoot scale-up challenges, investigate differences between laboratory and production results, and implement corrective actions for consistent product performance.
Identify and mitigate technical, operational, safety, and quality risks associated with new formulations and process changes.
Serve as a senior technical resource for polyurethane toll manufacturing customers and build relationships with customer technical teams, chemists, engineers, and decision makers.
Provide technical guidance for commercial production, troubleshoot formulation-related production challenges, and recommend adjustments that support product quality, performance, and manufacturing efficiency.
Lead technical discussions about product development, formulation modifications, process requirements, product specifications, and manufacturing feasibility.
Manage the Analytical and R&D laboratories.
Approve Safety Data Sheets for new chemical raw materials.
Lead, develop, and mentor R&D staff and allocate resources across projects.
Use professional oral and written communication, organizational, and leadership skills; foster team collaboration and effective solutions as priorities change.
Complete and maintain required safety training according to the Safety Training Matrix.