Polymer Scientist - New Product Development (NPD)

About the role

We are seeking a Polymer Scientist to join our New Product Development team in Cape Town. The role focuses on solving polymer‑related manufacturing and quality challenges, supporting production, and driving continuous improvement.

Key responsibilities

• Investigate polymer‑related manufacturing, quality, and customer issues, identify root causes and recommend corrective actions.
• Provide technical support to production teams for seal performance, material behaviour and processing challenges.
• Monitor manufacturing and laboratory performance using data analysis and dashboards to spot trends, risks and improvement opportunities.
• Prepare technical reports, recommendations and presentations for internal stakeholders.
• Support customer complaint investigations with scientific analysis and root‑cause input.
• Develop, validate and optimise polymer processing parameters and technical specifications.
• Maintain polymer science records, technical documentation and laboratory data in line with the Quality Management System (QMS).
• Identify, document and report non‑conformances while supporting corrective and preventive actions.
• Collaborate with Quality, Production, Engineering and NPD teams to resolve polymer sealing issues.
• Coordinate and interpret external laboratory testing when required.
• Contribute to risk assessments related to polymer sealing.
• Support equipment selection, validation and technical capability within the laboratory.

Required profile

• BSc in Polymer Science, Chemistry or a related scientific field.
• Minimum 2 years of relevant experience in polymer science, laboratory testing, product development or a manufacturing environment.
• Experience with product development, material testing and manufacturing processes.
• Strong understanding of polymer materials, formulations, processing techniques and their impact on performance.
• Ability to design, conduct and interpret laboratory experiments.
• Proficiency in Microsoft 365 (Excel, Word, Outlook, Teams, OneDrive).
• Advanced Excel skills including data analysis, PivotTables, PivotCharts and complex formulas.
• Experience with Quality Management Systems (QMS) and laboratory documentation.

Required skills

• Polymer science
• Polymer laboratory testing
• Product development
• Material testing
• Manufacturing processes
• Microsoft 365 (Excel, Word, Outlook, Teams, OneDrive)
• Advanced Excel (PivotTables, PivotCharts, formulas)
• Quality Management Systems (QMS)
• Data analysis