Materials Development Manager

We are hiring an experienced Materials Development Manager to lead material innovation, qualification, and performance improvement initiatives across manufacturing operations. The role is responsible for developing new materials, optimizing existing material specifications, collaborating with cross-functional teams, and ensuring materials meet quality, cost, sustainability, and regulatory requirements. This position is suited for professionals with strong expertise in metallurgy, polymers, composites, industrial materials, or advanced manufacturing materials within a high-volume manufacturing environment. Responsibilities: * Lead material development projects from concept through industrial implementation. * Evaluate and qualify new raw materials, alloys, polymers, composites, coatings, or engineered materials. * Drive material cost optimization without compromising quality or product performance. * Conduct material characterization, failure analysis, and performance validation. * Develop material specifications, standards, and qualification procedures. * Collaborate with R&D, Engineering, Production, Procurement, Quality, and Supplier Quality teams. * Support new product introduction (NPI) through material selection and validation. * Identify opportunities for lightweighting, sustainability, recyclability, and material efficiency. * Resolve material-related production issues using structured root cause analysis. * Ensure compliance with customer specifications, industry standards, and environmental regulations. * Monitor emerging material technologies and recommend adoption where commercially viable.