TSE CASE R&D Manager

The TSE Family of Companies•Clearwater, FL

About The Position

The R&D Manager manages the company’s research and development activities, with a primary focus on polyurethane formulation development and scale-up for toll manufacturing customers. The role leads the development, evaluation, and optimization of customer-specific formulations and oversees their transition from laboratory development to commercial manufacturing. Working with customers and internal teams, the manager translates customer requirements into practical, scalable, commercially viable formulations and manages projects from initial technical evaluation through development, production scale-up, and customer qualification. The R&D Manager leads and mentors R&D staff, allocates resources across projects, and ensures that the department’s technical solutions support customer satisfaction, revenue growth, cost savings, and long-term business objectives. The position manages both the Analytical and R&D laboratories and serves as a senior technical resource for customers and commercial production. The role involves working in an environment with rapidly changing priorities. It requires completion and maintenance of safety training. The position has the normal demands of an office work environment, but may involve exposure to isocyanates, which are respiratory irritants and sensitizers. Applicants must successfully pass a pre-employment and annual pulmonary function test. TSE states that it 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.
At least two years of related work experience.
Three to five years of experience in 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.
At least two years of R&D management experience.
Ability to perform the essential duties satisfactorily and complete and maintain safety training.
Ability to pass pre-employment and annual pulmonary function tests.

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 the transition of 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.
Build working relationships with customer technical teams, chemists, engineers, and decision makers as a senior technical resource for polyurethane toll manufacturing customers.
Provide technical guidance on formulation issues and production challenges, and recommend adjustments to support product quality, performance, and manufacturing efficiency.
Lead technical discussions about product development, formulation changes, process requirements, product specifications, and manufacturing feasibility.
Manage the Analytical and R&D laboratories.
Approve Safety Data Sheets (SDS) for new chemical raw materials.
Lead, develop, and mentor R&D staff and allocate resources across projects.
Communicate professionally, foster open communication and collaboration, and work with colleagues across departments and divisions to develop team-based solutions.
Complete and maintain safety training according to the Safety Training Matrix.