Job Description:
Job Summary We are looking for an experienced Formulation Specialist with strong expertise in polymers, resins, composites, and coatings to lead end-to-end product development and commercialization. The role involves translating customer insights into technical specifications, developing and optimizing formulations at lab and pilot scale, supporting manufacturing scale-up, and conducting analytical characterization to validate product performance. You will collaborate closely with AOEM R&D, Customer Marketing, raw-material suppliers, and cross-functional teams to drive innovation, improve product cost and performance, and secure key customer approvals. The position requires strong technical depth, excellent problem-solving skills, and a proven track record of launching material-science-based products into the market.
Key Responsibilities Product Development & Formulation -
Serve as a formulation specialist with strong expertise in polymers, composites, resins, and coatings .
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Develop new solutions at lab scale and pilot scale , ensuring formulations are feasible for manufacturing integration.
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Translate customer insights and AOEM R&D requirements into robust product specifications .
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Conduct formulation optimization, stability studies, application testing, and validation.
Customer Interface & Commercialization -
Work closely with AOEM R&D and Customer Marketing teams to identify customer needs and define development priorities.
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Conduct concept testing and gather customer feedback to refine formulations.
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Lead technical trials with customers and secure initial approvals for new products.
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Support full commercialization by preparing technical documentation, process guidelines, and scale-up protocols.
Analytical Testing & Validation -
Perform analytical characterization (eg, rheology, thermal analysis, mechanical testing, chemical characterization) to validate product differentiation.
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Prepare detailed technical reports, presentations, and experimental summaries.
Manufacturing Support Cost Optimization & Continuous Improvement -
Proactively initiate Gross Margin Improvement (COGS) programs .
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Optimize existing products for improved cost, performance, and processing efficiency.
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Collaborate with raw material suppliers and third-party manufacturers to identify new technologies and materials.
Innovation & Collaboration -
Drive material and formulation innovation in alignment with market needs and emerging technologies.
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Work with cross-functional teams including Quality, Marketing, Supply Chain, and Application Engineering.
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Train Application Engineers on product features, formulation processes, and application methods.
Documentation & Compliance -
Maintain accurate lab records, development logs, test data, and technical documents.
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Ensure compliance with internal quality standards, safety norms, and regulatory requirements.
Education & Qualification -
M.Tech in Materials Science, Polymer Science, Chemical Science or related field .
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Minimum 8 years of experience in formulation development, product commercialization, or materials engineering.
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Proven experience in commercializing material-science-based products (polymers, coatings, adhesives, resins, composites).
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Strong understanding of polymer chemistry, resin systems, coating technologies, and material-property relationships .
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Experience working with raw material suppliers and contract manufacturers .
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Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and documentation skills.
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Strong collaboration skills and customer-facing orientation with the ability to gather insights and translate them into solutions.
Safety is a core value at 3M. All employees are expected to contribute to a strong Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) culture by following safety policies, identifying hazards, and engaging in continuous improvement.
