Polymer Director Jobs in Michigan (NOW HIRING)

Job Description:

Position Summary

The Director of Formulation Development is a senior technical and organizational leader responsible for defining, executing, and continuously improving Cooper Standard's global formulation and materials development strategy for Sealing and Rubber Fluid Transfer Systems.

This role provides technical vision, leadership, and governance across product engineering, formulation laboratories, and manufacturing interfaces, ensuring full alignment with Cooper Standard's Purpose, Mission, Values, World Class Engineering (WCE), and Cooper Standard Operating System (CSOS).

Acting as a Product Engineering Champion, the Director leads highly complex and highrisk material development programs, anticipates customer needs, drives innovation, and ensures the successful industrialization of advanced rubber and polymer technologies while meeting customer, quality, cost, and delivery objectives.

Primary Responsibilities

Product Engineering Leadership & Governance

• Serve as Product Engineering Champion for Cooper Standard Vision, Mission, and Values within formulation and materials development.
• Ensure alignment with Cooper Standard Top Priorities and Global Product Line Leadership (PLL).
• Act as spokesperson for formulation and materials engineering in corporate and crossfunctional initiatives.
• Ensure adherence to Cooper Standard Operating System (CSOS), Quality Operating System, and World Class Engineering (WCE) principles.

Technology & Formulation Strategy

• Define and execute the global formulation and materials technology roadmap for Sealing and Rubber Fluid Transfer Systems.
• Identify, approve, and industrialize new material technologies to support current and future product platforms.
• Lead development of advanced rubber and polymer formulations, including test methodologies, validation strategies, and material specifications.
• Utilize Voice of Customer (VOC), market trends, benchmarking, and competitive intelligence to drive technology development.
• Protect, develop, and defend Cooper Standard intellectual property related to materials and formulation technologies.

Product Development & Execution Excellence

• Lead highly complex, highrisk, and highimpact formulation development projects from concept through production launch.
• Ensure all formulation designs meet customer specifications, regulatory requirements, and Cooper Standard design guidelines.
• Achieve CLAUS engineering deliverables on time and in full.
• Apply and promote DFSS, DVP, PPAP, VA/VE, KT, 8D, and other Cooper Standard problemsolving and development tools.
• Drive design for manufacturability and partner closely with Operations to ensure robust and efficient product launches.

CrossFunctional & Customer Interface

• Act as the primary technical interface for customers on critical formulation and materials topics.
• Lead resolution of critical technical issues impacting quality, performance, cost, or delivery.
• Collaborate globally with Operations, Quality, Purchasing, IT, Launch Management, and Centers of Competence to ensure WCE alignment.
• Engage with raw material suppliers to review emerging technologies and support longterm innovation partnerships.

Organizational Leadership & Talent Development

• Foster engagement, development, and performance of the formulation and materials engineering workforce.
• Manage, coach, and develop technical leaders and subject matter experts.
• Act as a technical mentor and sponsor best practices, standards, and knowledge sharing.
• Support and drive Global Engineering Technical Academy (GETA) initiatives.
• Ensure a respectful, ethical, and inclusive environment aligned with Cooper Standard Code of Conduct.

Operational Excellence, Safety & Continuous Improvement

• Ensure a safe and environmentally responsible workplace by enforcing Cooper Standard Total Safety Culture and 6S.
• Drive continuous improvement, scrap reduction, variation reduction, and lean initiatives related to materials and formulations.
• Manage formulation and materials development budgets and contribute to cost and margin optimization.
• Support Cooper Standard M&A and Joint Venture initiatives as required.

Education & Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Chemistry, or related technical discipline; Master's or PhD in Polymer Science, Chemistry, or Chemical Engineering strongly preferred.
• Typically 12+ years of experience in formulation, materials development, or polymer engineering within a manufacturing environment, preferably automotive.
• Proven experience leading global, crossfunctional technical teams and highcomplexity programs.
• Deep expertise in rubber chemistry, raw materials, material specifications, and manufacturing processes (mixing, extrusion, molding).
• Strong business acumen, risk management, and decisionmaking capabilities.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to translate complex technical concepts to diverse audiences.
• Willingness and ability to travel globally to customer and manufacturing locations.

Key Competencies

• Ensures Accountability
• Communicates Effectively
• Develops Talent
• Customer Focus
• Drives Results
• Builds Effective Global Teams
• Decision Quality & Manages Complexity

Work Environment

• Professional office, laboratory, and manufacturing environments.
• Use of appropriate personal protective equipment per facility requirements.
• Travel to manufacturing facilities, suppliers, and customer locations as required.

Position Type:

Regular

Additional Locations: 

Additional Information:

Cooper Standard is proud of its diverse workforce and committed to providing equal employment opportunities to applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, genetic information, physical or mental disability, age, veteran or military status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. We are dedicated to creating an environment at work that not only values diversity but also encourages inclusion and a sense of belonging. We firmly believe that a diverse workplace fosters an environment where our employees can flourish and provide superior service to our customers. Because we recognize and value the range of ways in which people acquire experiences, whether personal, professional, or via education or volunteerism, we invite interested applicants to evaluate the key duties and requirements and apply for any opportunities that fit your experience and qualifications. Applicants with disabilities may be entitled to reasonable accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act, as well as certain state and/or local laws. If you believe you require such assistance to complete our online application or to participate in an interview, you (or someone on your behalf) may request assistance by emailing recruitment@cooperstandard.com with a description of the accommodation you seek. Application materials submitted to this email address will not be considered.

Remote Status:

Hybrid