R&D Manager cementitious products

Company Description

Sika was first established in Malaysia in 1989 and full operations commenced in 1991 through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Sika Kimia Sdn Bhd, with the completion of its local head office and production plant in Nilai, Negeri Sembilan. Since then, the company has gained a leading position in the country with the acceptance and endorsement of its products for construction and industrial applications by local and international proponents.

In the Construction sector, our business activities cover the full spectrum of project types ranging from infrastructural development to buildings, from institutional facilities to manufacturing plants. We service our direct customers – concrete producers, contractors and distributors – and stay close to them through our central sales & marketing office in Petaling Jaya and a network of sales offices in Penang, Johor Bahru, Kuantan, Kuching and Kota Kinabalu. In 2014 our presence in the Malaysian construction continued to grow when our Ipoh Plant was built and running to meet customer demands.

In Malaysia, our Industry Division is the clear market leader in the automotive glass replacement sector (AGR) and the “Sikaflex” brand is instantly recognized as a mark for quality, reliability and performance. In the automotive OEM sector, we are the approved supplier to top German car markets such as Mercedes Benz and BMW. Meanwhile, Sika leads the field in total bonding, sealing, damping, reinforcing and protection solutions for bus, truck and rail vehicle manufacturing, and for the assembly of appliances, industrial equipment and building components.

Sika Kimia Sdn Bhd currently employs more than 340 people in Sales & Marketing, Technical Service, Finance, HR & Administration, Laboratory, Production, Purchasing, Customer Service and Warehouse.

Job Description

• Research Planning and Execution: Lead the planning, design, and execution of research projects
  
  

focused on developing new cementitious products, improving existing formulations, and exploring

innovative technologies. Transfer Know how (test results, test methods, new application

techniques) within the responsible region.

• Product Development: Initial assessment of viability of development projects proposed by Sales
  
  

and TMMs. Coordinate submission of authorized development projects to the R&D Technical

Manager. Supervise and coordinate all technical laboratory work, field evaluations and production

trials associated with such approved development projects and new products. Strictly follow PCP

procedures in SIP. Supervise the setting of specifications for new products, including sources and

data for raw materials, manufacturing procedures and finished product testing (standard and

performance testing), packaging requirements and Safety & Environment.

• Sustainable Product Development: Lead efforts to incorporate sustainability principles into the
  
  

research and development of cementitious products. Explore alternative materials, additives, and

manufacturing processes that reduce environmental impact while maintaining product

performance and quality.

• Team Management: Manage a team of chemists and technicians, fostering a collaborative and
  
  

innovative work environment. Provide mentorship, guidance, and professional development

opportunities to team members.

• Efficiency Improvements: Identify opportunities to optimize production processes and
  
  

formulations to enhance efficiency and reduce resource consumption. Implement measures such

as process automation, equipment upgrades, and waste minimization initiatives to streamline

operations and lower production costs.

• Raw Material Optimization: Explore alternative raw materials and additives that offer cost
  
  

advantages without compromising product performance or quality. Conduct thorough costbenefit

analyses to assess the economic feasibility of using different materials and select options

that provide the greatest cost savings. Ensure that Raw Material Specifications (RMS) are

prepared for any new raw material, RMS are updated for any approved new source of an existing

raw material and that all RMS are current and any changes or additions are distributed to all

concerned parties.

• Data Collection and Analysis: Collect relevant data from various sources, including experimental
  
  

trials, market research, and financial reports, to support decision-making and performance

evaluation. Analyze data using statistical methods, modeling techniques, and software tools to

extract meaningful insights and trends.

• KPI Monitoring: Develop key performance indicators (KPIs) and metrics to track the progress and
  
  

effectiveness of R&D initiatives, such as project milestones, product development timelines,

budget utilization, and resource allocation. Monitor KPIs regularly and prepare reports to assess

performance against targets.

• Performance Reporting: Prepare comprehensive reports summarizing R&D activities,
  
  

achievements, and outcomes for presentation to senior management, LET, TMM, Sales team.

Communicate progress, challenges, and recommendations effectively through written reports,

presentations, and visual aids.

• BOM Management: Ensure that Bills of Material are updated for any change to raw materials or
  
  

formulations relating to manufactured products.

• Budget and Resource Management: Develop and manage the R&D budget, ensuring efficient
  
  

allocation of resources to maximize project outcomes and deliverables.

• Quality Assurance: Implement rigorous quality control measures to ensure the reliability,
  
  

durability, and performance of cementitious products developed by the R&D team.

• Technology Assessment: Stay abreast of emerging trends, technologies, and best practices in the
  
  

field of cementitious materials. Evaluate and assess new technologies for potential integration

into product development efforts.

• Cross-functional Collaboration: Collaborate closely with other departments, including
  
  

INTERNAL

manufacturing, sales, and marketing, to ensure seamless integration of R&D efforts with business

operations and commercialization strategies.

• Regulatory Compliance: Ensure compliance with relevant industry standards, regulations, and
  
  

environmental guidelines in the development and testing of cementitious products.

• Continuous Improvement: Implement a culture of continuous improvement within the R&D
  
  

department, where sustainability is integrated into the innovation process. Encourage

experimentation, knowledge sharing, and interdisciplinary collaboration to drive meaningful

progress towards sustainability objectives, operational excellence and innovative solutions.

• ISO Compliance: Ensure QC comply with ISO9001 and ISO 14005
  
  

Limitations of Authority

No purchase of equipment and/ or material without approval from R&D Tech Manager/ GM

Qualifications

Minimum Bachelor’s degree in science or applied science (Chemistry) plus relevant laboratory

Experience

Additional Information

• Minimum of 7-10 years of experience in research and development, with a focus on cementitious materials, concrete technology, or related areas. Previous experience in a leadership or management role is highly
• Strong technical expertise in materials characterization, formulation development, and process optimization.
• Strong leadership and communication skills, with the ability to motivate and inspire team members
• Proven track record of driving innovation and bringing new products or technologies to market.
• Creative problem-solving abilities and a passion for pushing the boundaries of scientific knowledge are crucial.
• Solid project management skills, including the ability to prioritize tasks, manage timelines, and deliver results within budget constraints. In-depth knowledge of the cement and concrete industry, including familiarity with market trends, customer requirements, and competitive landscape.
• Knowledge of regulatory requirements and quality standards applicable to the industry.
• Certification in quality management (e.g., Six Sigma, ISO) is a plus
  
  

Based in Malaysia Telok Gong Selangor