R&D Manager (Performance Chemicals & Minerals Division)

Role & responsibilities

R&D Manager (Performance Chemicals & Minerals Division)

Position Title: R&D Manager Performance Minerals, Raw materials of Semiconductors, EV Battery materials & Specialty Additives.

Department: Joint Value Creation – JVC Team (Sourcing & Technical Development).

Location: Head Quarter / Central R&D Facility (with coordination to JVC Team & Global Partners)

Reporting To: Vice President – Sourcing.

1. Role Objective

To lead and manage the Research & Development function focused on testing, characterization, and formulation development of performance minerals, additives, and chemicals used in EV batteries, semiconductors, and advanced specialty applications. The role bridges technical evaluation with sourcing, ensuring all new materials meet 20 Microns’ global standards for performance, consistency, and cost efficiency.

2. Key Responsibilities

A. Technical Evaluation & Testing

• Plan and execute laboratory testing, analysis, and validation of minerals and additives (graphite, graphene, alumina, silica, HPQ, rare earth, MgO, Mica, TiO2 etc.)
  • Develop benchmark datasets comparing global standards for critical parameters (purity, brightness, BET, PSD, CEC, FTIR, SEM, XRD) • Evaluate material performance in target applications — battery anodes/cathodes, semiconductor fillers, conductive compounds, dielectric ceramics, etc.

B. Research & Development

• Lead formulation trials for battery-grade and semiconductor-grade materials (e.g., surface modification, coating, calcination, doping, modified minerals)
  • Collaborate with international partners and suppliers for product co-development, pilot trials, and technical feedback • Develop process improvement projects (e.g., beneficiation, dispersion, coating, surface modifications etc.) to enhance yield, brightness, and purity • Support new product innovation (NPI) initiatives aligned with global sourcing strategy

C. Analytical & Documentation

• Prepare detailed technical evaluation reports, TDS/COA comparisons, and performance dossiers for sourcing and management review
  • Maintain and validate test methods and SOPs as per international laboratory standards (ASTM, ISO, BIS) • Ensure documentation traceability for sample-to-lab-to-commercial transition

D. Cross-functional Coordination

• Work closely with Sourcing & JVC Team for technical qualification and vendor approvals
  • Interface with external labs, universities, and technical institutes for collaborative testing or specialized research • Provide technical training and guidance to sourcing & quality teams on new material performance attributes

3. Desired Candidate Profile

Qualification

Experience

Technical Expertise

M.Sc. / M.Tech. in Material Science, Chemistry, Nanotechnology, or Mineral Engineering

8–12 years (minimum 5 years in applied R&D for specialty minerals or additives)

• Battery material testing (Graphite, Li-ion anode materials, conductive carbons)
  • Semiconductor fillers (Silica, Alumina, Talc, Kaolin) • Surface treatment & coating technology • Instrumentation: SEM, XRD, BET, FTIR, PSD, TGA, DSC, ICP • Lab-to-commercial scale development

4. Key Competencies

• Strong analytical and problem-solving mindset
  • Excellent technical writing and documentation ability • Understanding of material structure–property relationships • Cross-functional collaboration with R&D, sourcing, and vendor teams • Exposure to global standards and compliance protocols (REACH, RoHS, etc.) • Proficiency in data interpretation & digital lab systems

5. Performance Indicators (KPI)

• Number of new materials technically validated per quarter
  • Turnaround time for lab testing & vendor qualification • Success rate of lab-to-commercial product transitions • Contribution to cost optimization through technical validation • Technical support effectiveness for sourcing & supplier evaluation

6. Career Path

Progression to Head – R&D & Technical Development or Global Technical Liaison – Strategic Sourcing based on performance and innovation contribution.

Preferred candidate profile