Elastomer Manager

About this opportunity

Are you passionate about materials science, elastomer formulation, and the high-end watchmaking sector? Do you wish to play a key role that is both technical, strategic, and hands-on within a human-sized organisation?

For our client, a dynamic SME with 12 employees at this site specialised in the manufacture of high-end/luxury synthetic rubber straps and part of a leading industrial group, we are looking for an Elastomer Manager (M/F/X) on a permanent contract.

In this central and versatile position, you would manage projects from development to series production, while being the chemical product safety referent on site.

Your main tasks

On a daily basis, you are at the heart of innovation, manufacturing, and compliance processes:

• R&D Development & Innovation:

  • Manage internal colour development projects (prototypes and small series on laboratory mixer) and external projects.

  • Handle sourcing and material substitution with suppliers (preparation of chemical and functional specifications).

  • Provide moulding recommendations and monitor pre-series phases.

  • Ensure technical and regulatory watch (REACH, Prop 65 US, China standards, elastomer innovations).

• Production & Quality Support:

  • Participate in daily Gemba and provide immediate technical material solutions.

  • Control conformity of received batches (Pantone colour measurements, supplier certificates, material contamination).

  • Ensure the launch and production of internal mixes according to the schedule.

• Health, Safety & Environment (HSE):

  • Act as the site chemical products referent (SDS analysis, storage compatibility, team training, waste disposal).

• Continuous Improvement & Cross-functionality:

  • Train internal teams on roller mixing to promote versatility.

  • Optimise processes and define the overall material strategy according to client projects.

• Education & Experience: Higher education (Bachelor / Master) in Materials Science or Chemical Engineering (an IFOCA / Elanova specialisation is a real asset), with at least 5 years of experience in the rubber/elastomer industry.

• Technical Expertise: Proven mastery of elastomer formulation, characterisation and processing, production/development on open mill rollers (lab scale), as well as solid knowledge in colouring (Pantone base).