Research Development Manager Jobs in Chicago, IL

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

This list of duties and responsibilities is not all-inclusive and may be expanded to include other duties and responsibilities, as management may deem necessary from time to time. Duties may be accomplished by the incumbent or through the utilization of appropriate staff and resources.

Leadership and Team Management

• Lead and develop the local technical team at the Broadview facility, including laboratory and technical support staff.
• Manage R&D resources, including budgets, equipment, staffing, and workload planning.
• Oversee recruitment, training, performance evaluations, and employee development to build technical capability and career growth.
• Establish clear priorities and ensure timely completion of customer projects, testing, and product development activities.
• Promote a positive, collaborative culture across departments and within the technical team.

Customer and Commercial Support

• Maintain strong relationships with key customers and suppliers, providing technical support and collaboration on new product initiatives.
• Serve as the primary technical contact for customers, offering formulation guidance, processing recommendations, and troubleshooting assistance.
• Support the sales team with product development, technical data, and customer presentations or training.

Product and Process Development

• Manage and execute technical projects involving new product development, compound modification, and process optimization.
• Develop and test formulations to meet customer performance, regulatory, and cost targets.
• Oversee product approval processes, testing protocols, and specification management.
• Evaluate and approve raw materials and ensure accurate item master, finished compound recipe, and test specifications maintenance within the ERP system.
• Support production scale-up, ensuring smooth transitions from laboratory to full-scale manufacturing.

Regulatory and Quality Compliance

• Ensure all products and raw materials comply with applicable regulatory and product safety standards (e.g., REACH, RoHS, FDA, Proposition 65).
• Maintain technical documentation and regulatory data to support customer and internal compliance requirements.
• Develop and maintain R&D procedures and standard work practices in alignment with ISO and company management systems.
• Ensure full technical compliance with federal, state, and local safety and environmental regulations.

Continuous Improvement and Collaboration

• Work with Group R&D and VP of Operations to share knowledge, transfer technology, and support global development initiatives.
• Drive continuous improvement in product quality, process efficiency, and operational consistency.
• Participate in cross-functional initiatives to improve production output, reduce costs, and support sustainability objectives.
• Provide technical training internally and externally as needed.

Ideal Competencies Required for Role

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

• Technical Expertise: Deep knowledge of thermoplastic compounding and related R&D processes. Experience with thermoplastic elastomers is highly desirable.
• Able to provide guidance, make informed decisions, and support the success of the technical team.
• Leadership and Staff Management: Proven ability to lead, develop, and empower employees, fostering a collaborative, high-performing team environment. Skilled in providing feedback, mentoring, and creating development plans.
• Planning and Process Management: Strong skills in organizing, prioritizing, and overseeing technical projects, ensuring timely completion and alignment with organizational goals.
• Forward-Thinking and Innovation: Ability to identify opportunities for product, process, and organizational improvements. Open to new ideas, technologies, and approaches.
• Effective Communication: Excellent communication skills, capable of conveying complex technical information clearly to both technical and non-technical stakeholders. Skilled at listening and providing constructive feedback.
• Collaboration: Works effectively across departments, including marketing, production, quality, and sales, to ensure technical efforts support broader organizational objectives.
• Resource Management: Skilled in managing budgets, equipment, and personnel efficiently to optimize research efforts.
• Problem Solving and Analytical Skills: Strong mathematical, reasoning, and troubleshooting abilities to resolve technical and material challenges.
• Attention to Detail: High level of diligence, accuracy, and focus on quality in all technical and operational activities.
• Time Management and Adaptability: Able to manage multiple priorities, meet tight deadlines, remain calm under pressure, and adjust plans as needed to respond to changing circumstances.

Education and/or Experience

• Requires a master’s degree in Polymer Chemistry or related discipline.
• Requires a minimum of 10 years of experience in thermoplastic chemistries and experience in a plastic compounding manufacturing environment.
• Knowledge of analytical instrumentation and testing methods is highly desirable
• Requires proficiency in Microsoft Office including Word, Excel, Access, and Outlook.
• Requires experience with Project management, CRM, ERP, and MRP systems.

Physical Requirements

While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; climb or balance and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 60 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment

While performing the duties of this position, the employee is frequently exposed to moving mechanical parts. The employee is occasionally exposed to high, precarious places; fumes or airborne particles; extreme heat; risk of electrical shock and vibration. The noise level in the work environment varies from loud when in the plant area to quiet in the office areas.