Product Development Specialist

Position Title: Product Development Specialist

Position Summary:

The Product Development Specialist will support the specialty lubricants business in the region. This role involves close collaboration with Technical Service & Development (TS&D), Manufacturing Technology (MT), Business Development (BD), and Marketing teams to identify and secure new opportunities. The specialist will take ownership of developing effective regional solutions, qualifying new products based on customized material properties, and coordinating new product launches. A key responsibility is to serve as a conduit, communicating regional needs to Marketing and R&D to strategically position the product portfolio and drive sustainable business growth.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead new product development for specialty lubricants in the region, addressing unmet customer needs with optimal balance of performance, manufacturability, quality, and commercial viability.

• Own the end-to-end product development lifecycle, from concept through formulation, testing, qualification, and commercialization, ensuring alignment with all technical and regulatory standards.

• Drive product qualification with target customers and support localization initiatives by collaborating with global and regional cross-functional teams.

• Provide technical leadership in the laboratory, including designing experiments, analyzing data, and mentoring lab technologists. Enhance lab capabilities by introducing new equipment, processes, and test methods.

• Ensure rigorous documentation and intellectual property (IP) protection, maintaining accurate records and full compliance with quality systems and laboratory safety protocols.

• Monitor industry trends and customer requirements, integrating insights into technology roadmaps and multi-generation product plans. Actively scout and evaluate relevant external technologies.

• Represent the product development function in internal and external technical forums, including customer meetings, industry conferences, and professional society events.

• Support strategic initiatives, including value proposition development, competitive analysis, and the creation of technical content for marketing and sales enablement.

Qualifications:

Required Education, Experience and Skills:

• Master’s degree or higher in Applied Chemistry, Material Science, Chemical Engineering, or a related scientific discipline.

• Minimum of 5 years of hands-on experience in specialty lubricant product development, with solid knowledge in tribology (friction and wear).

• Proven ability to translate customer needs into viable product solutions and to manage development projects from concept through commercialization.

• Strong problem-solving skills, with experience applying analytical techniques to overcome technical challenges in product development.

• Familiarity with patent analysis and prior art review; ability to leverage knowledge management tools to support innovation.

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English, with the ability to deliver clear and persuasive technical presentations.

• Self-motivated and proactive, with strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work effectively both independently and within cross-functional teams.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Demonstrated ability to identify and pursue new product opportunities, working effectively with cross-functional teams to manage complex development projects.

• A track record of technical accomplishments, such as successful product launches, granted patents, peer-reviewed publications, or the development of innovative product claims.