Technical Manager - Polymer Materials

Technical Manager Polymer Materials

Talent STEM are partnering with a specialist polymer manufacturing business operating within a highly regulated environment. This organisation has built a strong reputation for delivering high performance polymer solutions, underpinned by quality, innovation and deep technical expertise. Their products are supplied into demanding industrial and healthcare markets.

Due to continued growth and investment, they are seeking an experienced Technical Manager to take ownership of site-wide R&D, quality and compliance activities.

This is a senior leadership position with responsibility for all technical operations on site. You will lead polymer research and development programmes, oversee quality systems and provide technical direction across manufacturing and regulatory activities.

Working closely with senior management, you will play a key role in driving polymer innovation, ensuring compliance with industry standards and supporting the transfer of new materials and formulations into production.

• Lead all polymer R&D activities, including formulation development, material selection and continuous improvement initiatives
• Provide technical oversight of quality control and quality assurance systems within polymer manufacturing
• Maintain and develop Quality Management Systems within a regulated framework
• Act as technical lead for audits, regulatory inspections and external reporting
• Oversee technical documentation including material specifications, safety data sheets and compliance records
• Support scale-up of polymer formulations from laboratory through to full manufacturing, ensuring robust validation and risk assessment
• Investigate customer complaints related to material performance and implement corrective actions
• Collaborate with commercial teams on technical discussions with customers, providing polymer expertise and application support
• Ensure high standards of chemical safety, environmental compliance and laboratory best practice
• Develop, mentor and lead a small technical team

We are looking for a technically strong and commercially aware leader with experience in polymer science who thrives in a hands-on environment.

You will likely bring:

• A PhD or equivalent advanced qualification in Polymer Chemistry, Materials Science or a closely related discipline
• Significant experience within polymers, plastics, elastomers, coatings or advanced materials
• Experience operating within a regulated manufacturing environment
• Strong knowledge of quality management systems and compliance frameworks
• A solid understanding of chemical and polymer-specific health and safety requirements
• Experience of taking polymer products from development through to commercial manufacture
• The ability to balance strategic leadership with practical laboratory and plant involvement
• Excellent communication skills and a collaborative leadership style

This is an opportunity to take full technical ownership within a growing and ambitious polymer business.

You will have the autonomy to shape technical strategy while remaining closely involved in innovation, material development and real-world application.

For a confidential discussion, please contact Talent STEM directly.

Talent STEM is a specialist recruitment consultancy supporting the scientific, engineering, clinical, chemical, pharmaceutical, FMCG, environmental, biotechnology and medical device sectors.