Technical Service and Development Director

Kuraray America • Pasadena, TX

3d • Onsite

About The Position

The Director of Technical Service & Development (TS&D) leads market development, technical service, and development strategy for EVAL, Genestar, and Plantic products and applications across the Americas. This senior leadership role directs technical professionals to meet product, application, and service objectives safely and efficiently while supporting business growth. The position is strategically responsible for expanding EVAL and Plantic sales through expert customer service, product development and commercialization, and application development that delivers value to the marketplace.

The Director leads TS&D teams and customer-facing technical work, supports Sales as a senior technical resource, directs customer trials and product qualification, and guides commercialization from concept through launch. The role also provides strategic technical leadership to manufacturing, advances product quality and cost improvements, develops team capability, and ensures compliance with safety, regulatory, and quality requirements.

Requirements

• Bachelor of Science in a technical field; Engineering, Chemistry, or Polymer Science is required.
• At least 15 years of progressive experience in polymer processing and/or polymer chemistry, including substantial experience with processing equipment, physical testing apparatus, analytical testing devices, technical service, or polymer or packaging development.
• At least 7 years of people-management experience, including 5 years leading leaders, such as supervisors, managers, professionals, and employees.
• Deep knowledge of the business, including market dynamics, customer requirements, and the competitive landscape.
• Proven experience leading technical teams and driving business results.
• Outstanding communication skills and ability to engage effectively with team members, peers, and internal and external customers at all organizational levels.
• Strategic thinking and business acumen, with the ability to translate technical capabilities into business growth.
• Valid driver's license.
• Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the United States.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the TS&D team in developing strategic technical relationships and development projects with existing and potential customers, end users, and equipment suppliers.
• Allocate resources and manage EVAL, Genestar, and Plantic technical capabilities to provide customer value, optimize cost, strengthen market reputation, and support growth of products and applications.
• Serve as a senior technical resource and subject matter expert to Sales, customers, and stakeholders for EVAL and Plantic products.
• Oversee customer engagement, including site visits, product promotion, processing and handling training, and education about end-use applications.
• Direct customer trials using blown-film and cast-film semi-work-scale equipment at KTRC to develop film and sheet structures using barrier products.
• Manage the Corrective Action Request (CAR) process for internal and external customers, ensuring timely investigation and resolution.
• Maintain market presence through management of customer visits, conference attendance, trade show presentations, and technical thought leadership.
• Lead initiatives to promote, sample, follow up on, and qualify existing and new products with target customers and brand owners.
• Direct partnerships with complementary resin suppliers and equipment OEMs on projects aligned with product development objectives.
• Oversee optimization of product formulations using existing technologies to meet regional customer needs and market demands.
• Ensure timely and proper laboratory preparation and trials in accordance with the Chemical Hygiene Program and applicable regulatory, ISO, and IATF requirements.
• Drive product commercialization from concept through successful market launch.
• Identify and evaluate new applications where Kuraray products provide compelling value propositions.
• Turn development projects into commercial sales opportunities and pioneer applications that expand market presence and competitive advantage.
• Set application-development strategy in alignment with business unit growth objectives.
• Provide technical leadership and strategic analysis to the EVAL Business Unit Manufacturing group to improve manufacturing processes, including product management and disposition.
• Lead initiatives to improve EVAL resin quality and reduce production costs.
• Support Product Managers, Production, QC, and rework personnel in allocating non-prime material to customers effectively.
• Serve as technical liaison between TS&D and manufacturing operations to promote operational excellence.
• Lead, develop, and mentor the MD and TS&D engineering teams providing technical service for EVAL and Plantic products across the Americas.
• Ensure team performance supports Department and Business Unit objectives; foster technical excellence, innovation, and customer focus; and develop organizational capability through talent development and succession planning.
• Ensure safe laboratory and field operations, oversee completion of assignments under the Kuraray Structure Program, ensure engineers complete assigned KAI University training, and maintain regulatory, safety, and quality management compliance.

Benefits

• Competitive compensation package with base pay and an annual incentive tied to individual, corporate, and team performance.
• Robust healthcare package.
• Wellness reimbursements.
• Three weeks of paid time off.
• Ten company holidays.
• Paid parental leave.
• Education reimbursement.
• Matching 401(k) plan.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director