Technical Plant Head

Company Description

Established in 1969, Raghav Polymers Group is a leading chemical and polymer supply chain company specializing in raw materials such as Polypropylene (PP), Polyethylene (PE), Polyvinylchloride (PVC), and elastomers like PBR and SBR. The company has a long-standing partnership with Reliance Industries Ltd and serves as a pan-India Super Stockist for polyester, BOPP, and CPP films for Jindal Polyfilms Ltd. With a strong commitment to environmental sustainability, Raghav Polymers is actively involved in the production of biodegradable materials and finished goods. Headquartered in Hyderabad, India, the group operates globally with strategically located offices to deliver high-quality services and innovative solutions.

The Technical Plant Head will lead the technical and operational aspects of the polymer compounding facility, with a strong focus on product development, process optimization, and customer interfacing. This role bridges R&D, production, and commercial teams, ensuring scalable, high-quality output while supporting business growth through technical expertise.

1. Technical Leadership & Product Development

·       Lead development of new formulations across polymers (PP, PE, ABS, engineering plastics, biodegradable polymers, etc.)

·       Conduct trials on lab-scale and production-scale twin screw extruders

·       Optimize recipes for performance, cost, and processability

·       Work on filler systems (CaCO₃, talc, etc.), masterbatches, and additive packages

2. Customer & Principal Coordination

·       Interface with brands, converters, and OEM customers for technical discussions

·       Understand application requirements and translate them into formulations

·       Support customers in troubleshooting processing or end-product issues

·       Coordinate with raw material suppliers/principals for new product development

3. Plant Operations Oversight

·       Supervise extrusion operations (twin screw lines, pelletizing systems)

·       Ensure process consistency, quality control, and throughput optimization

·       Implement SOPs and best practices for compounding and extrusion

·       Work closely with production teams to scale lab formulations to plant level

4. Process Optimization & Troubleshooting

·       Analyze process parameters (torque, SME)

·       Resolve issues like dispersion problems, degradation, moisture, die build-up, etc.

·       Improve cycle times, reduce wastage, and enhance efficiency

5. Quality & Testing

·       Establish and oversee QC protocols (MFI, density, mechanical properties, dispersion)

·       Validate incoming raw materials and finished goods

·       Work with lab equipment and testing standards

6. Team & Cross-functional Management

·       Lead and mentor operators, supervisors, and QC personnel

·       Coordinate between procurement, sales, and production teams

·       Drive a culture of continuous improvement and accountability

·       Strong expertise in twin screw extrusion and polymer compounding

·       Deep understanding of polymer behavior, additives, and formulations

·       Hands-on experience with lab-scale and production-scale extruders

·       Ability to interact with customers on technical matters (not just internal ops)

·       Commercial awareness (costing, application-based selling)

·       Strong troubleshooting and analytical mindset

·       Leadership and team management capability

·       Bachelor's / Master's in Plastics Engineering, Polymer Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or related field

·       6–12+ years of experience in polymer compounding / masterbatch / extrusion

·       Prior experience as plant head

Preferred Qualifications

• Proficiency in Mechanical Engineering and Machine Design concepts
• Experience with Computer-Aided Design (CAD) tools
• Capability to lead and manage projects with strong Project Management skills
• Involvement in Research and Development (R&D) to drive innovation and improvements
• Problem-solving abilities and a focus on optimising processes
• Strong communication and collaboration skills to work in a cross-functional team
• Familiarity with extrusion technology and techniques is a strong advantage