Purpose of the job:The technical specialist defines (together with the cross functional team), manages and implements global technical work programs that improve company’s position in the rubber and tyres markets and deliver the technical and commercial objectives. The function understands unmet customers needs, taking ownership of these and driving the technical solution to completion. Technical support to internal customers such as sales, marketing, product regulatory, production and toll producers as well as external customers is required.

Key accountabilities: Maintain safe working environment in the laboratory. Contributes to improving safety by participating in, for example, safety meetings, audits and behavioural based safety program.Translate customer needs and industry trends into new product / application development which provide high value to the customer and the company. Works from concept to customer value proposition to viable lab and pilot quantities to commercialization. Responsible for demonstrating technical feasibility of concepts and working with all key functions to achieve product commercialization.Develop test protocols that provide results oriented data that predict the performance of commercial and experimental products. Maintains knowledge of key test procedures that are customer acceptable and the performance of key competitive products in the markets being served.Work closely with lead market users and outside organizations (downstream interviews) to develop ideas for products and processes that will lead the long-term growth of the business.Maintain a high level of awareness for emerging technologies and industry trends that can lead to new innovative ideas and serve as an early warning system on potential market changes for business leaders and development groups.Provide chemical / analytical expertise, as needed, to any member of the technology team in the resolution of day-to-day problems and the pursuit of new opportunities.Utilize statistical tools / techniques in the strategy of experimentation to reduce variability of results and improve efficiency of lab experiments. Proficient in computer-based data management systems and other tools used in the day-to-day conduct of technical activities.Develop any reporting staff to their fullest by providing ongoing coaching/mentoring to team members and following the established people development processes.Support technology efforts to protect the company’s intellectual property through effective recording of lab data, filing records of invention (where appropriate) and pursuing patent filings, as required.Communicate effectively with all team members and at all levels within the organization to foster trust and teamwork and productive working relationships. Able to communicate results of projects to customers and management in a manner that is effective for the intended audience.Provide status reports to supervisors and management in the form of monthly highlights, formal monthly reports and others, as required to support the needs of the organization.

Key challenges: 1. The external environment, including technology, competition, markets:Rapid changes in the global market place such as progressing performance requirements in selected sub segments, increased cost pressure in other areas, changes in the regulatory landscape, need for more "green" products, the company will develop higher value business to meet unmet customer needs.

2.  The internal environment, including interaction with others (both inside and outside the company) policies / practices:Working within the current flexible organizational structure, requiring the individual to adapt to different roles such as the leader of a project team, a team member, a hands-on laboratory practitioner, a technical expert in an application/market field, etc. Maintaining a high throughput of work in a resources constrained environment.

3.  The work itself, e.g. problems, opportunities, change:Maintaining balance between short term opportunities and longer term product development.

Technical competencies:Able to translate customer needs and industry trends into concepts and ideas for defined projects. Skilled in discovering and understanding market tre nds and the ability to translate this knowledge into information and developments which are useful to the company’s businesses.Develops project plans, executes the plan and tracks progress against plan objectives and timetables.Possesses creativity and is able to innovate in both products and processes, to commercialize new products and processes in support of company’s businesses.Adept at using leading-edge chemistry and technologies in support of project design and implementation.Has and maintains broad competency in most key areas of science and technology pertinent to the company.Possesses computer "savvy" to quickly learn new software, trouble shoot computer problems and adapt existing software to lab needs.Understands key process flows and the chemical technology of company’s plants.Understands the performance of their products and materials, relative to customer/market requirements.Able to maintain effective contacts with leading edge research organizations, customers, suppliers and other outside organizations.Skilled at effective communications both externally and internally with all levels of the organization.  Able to impart knowledge in key technical messages.Able to work in a manner that proactively promotes a healthy and safe work environment in the lab.Understands the basic regulatory compliance requirements for products and processes.Accomplished as a people leader (where applicable) to develop staff capable of supporting business product and process technology efforts.

Knowledge and Experience:Entry Level: Masters or PhD degree in organic chemistry or polymer sciences.5+ years working experience in tyres or rubber chemicals for the tyre industry.Knowledge of rubber recipes, compounding and rubber structures and interactions with additives (structure – property relation).Interested in polymer organic syntheses and application work in this area.

Managerial / leadership competencies:Dealing with ambiguity. Can effectively cope with organizational change and is comfortable with switching between project teams, some of which may be outside of the Associates primary technical area.Customer focus. Ability to understand the requirements of customers and translate these into viable technical solutions with a positive business impact for the company and customer.Functional and technical skills. Up to date knowledge of technical solutions in at least one key market segment for the company. This includes knowledge of the chemistry/manufacturing of the company and competitive products and the practical use/technical application of these materials in the market.Managing and measuring work. Ability to set clear objectives and tasks, assign responsibilities for tasks and monitor process, progress and results within project teams.Motivating others. Ability to get things done through others where no direct reporting line exists.Planning. The ability to define project objectives and critical success factors based on input from multiple sources. Capable of scoping out and documenting project plans, including milestones and key activities, and provide good estimates of resources required (e.g. time, people, external support etc) to meet objectives.Results oriented. Committed to delivering personal and company goals by taking ownership and driving activities to completion.

Additional comments:Must be able to interface with a wide range of people inside and outside the company including other technical personnel, manufacturing personnel and business (sales and marketing) staff.Travelling to plants to support production and/or to customers to support Marketing and Sales is required.