About Krillmat
Krillmat is an innovative materials company focused on the development, industrialization, and application of bio-based, recycled, and sustainable materials. Through research, technology, and circular economy principles, Krillmat develops advanced material solutions designed for industrial, commercial, and sustainable product applications.
Role Overview
We are looking for a highly motivated R&D Manager to lead Krillmat’s research and development activities.
The selected candidate will be responsible for coordinating R&D projects, developing and optimizing material formulations, managing testing and validation activities, and supporting the technical development of new sustainable material solutions.
The R&D Manager will work closely with Operations, Marketing, and Sales, as well as with external partners such as universities, research centers, suppliers, laboratories, and technical consultants. The role will also involve supporting material certification activities, with specific focus on food contact, cosmetics, compostability, and recyclability.
Key Responsibilities
* Lead and coordinate R&D projects related to bio-based, recycled, and sustainable materials.
* Develop and optimize material formulations, compounding processes, and product applications.
* Evaluate new raw materials, additives, technologies, and processing methods.
* Manage laboratory testing, prototyping, validation, and technical characterization activities.
* Define technical specifications, testing protocols, performance requirements, and material validation procedures.
* Support the development and optimization of polymer processing methods and application-specific solutions.
* Collaborate closely with Operations, Marketing, and Sales to align technical development with production needs, customer requirements, and market opportunities.
* Manage relationships with universities, research centers, suppliers, laboratories, and technical partners.
* Follow and coordinate material certification activities, particularly related to food contact, cosmetics, compostability, and recyclability.
* Monitor innovation trends, regulatory developments, and market needs in the field of sustainable materials.
* Ensure proper documentation of research activities, test results, formulations, technical reports, and validation processes.
* Contribute to intellectual property generation, patent analysis, and technology protection strategies.
Requirements
* MSc in Chemical Engineering, Materials Engineering, Materials Science, Chemistry, or related fields.
* Proven experience in R&D, preferably in polymers, biopolymers, composites, compounding, or sustainable materials.
* Alternatively, a Ph.D. in one of the above-mentioned disciplines will also be considered.
* Strong knowledge of polymers, polymer transformation processes, and material characterization techniques.
* Ability to manage multiple technical projects with clear priorities, timelines, and deliverables.
* Strong analytical, problem-solving, and documentation skills.
* Good understanding of innovation trends, regulatory developments, and market requirements in sustainable materials.
* Ability to produce clear and structured technical documentation, including test reports, formulation records, validation documents, and technical specifications.
* Excellent communication skills and ability to work effectively with cross-functional teams.
* Fluency in both Italian and English.
Nice to Have
* Experience with extrusion, injection molding, additive manufacturing, or other polymer processing technologies.
* Knowledge of certification processes related to food contact, cosmetics, compostability, and recyclability.
* Knowledge of GMP principles and their application in material development or production environments.
* Familiarity with intellectual property processes, patent analysis, and technology protection strategies.
* Previous experience in startups, scale-ups, or innovation-driven industrial environments.
What We Offer
* A key role in the development of innovative sustainable materials.
* The opportunity to contribute directly to the growth of an industrial and technology-driven company.
* A dynamic and multidisciplinary work environment.
* Close collaboration with industrial partners, research institutions, and innovation ecosystems.
* Direct involvement in R&D, material validation, certification, and product development projects.
Please send your application to, stating “R&D Manager” in the subject line.