Assistant Manager/Deputy Manager – Technical Service (Lab)

Sika is a specialty chemicals company with a globally leading position in the development and production of systems and products for bonding, sealing, damping, reinforcing, and protection in the building sector and automotive industry. Sika has subsidiaries in 103 countries around the world and, in over 400 factories, produces innovative technologies for customers worldwide. In doing so, it plays a crucial role in enabling the transformation of the construction and vehicle industries toward greater environmental compatibility. With more than 33,000 employees, the company generated sales of CHF 11.20 billion in 2025.

Sika in India

In India, the company started its operations in 1985 and was known as Qualcrete India Limited. In 1987, Qualcrete India Limited forged an alliance with Sika AG, Switzerland and was renamed as Sika Qualcrete Limited. In 2002, Sika AG, Switzerland acquired 100% stake in the company and since then the company has been rechristened as Sika India Pvt. Ltd, a whole owned subsidiary of Sika AG.

Automotive & Industry business delivers innovative solutions to the world’s leading manufacturers and service providers in automotive passenger car, commercial vehicles, automotive aftermarket, marine vessels, renewable energy, industrial lamination, industrial equipment, home appliances, modular building, facades, fenestration & insulating glass. We service direct customers as well as channel partners and stay close to them via the central sales and marketing office in Pune and a pan India sales team presence.

Title              :      Deputy Manager/Asst. Manager – Technical Service Lab 

Department:     Technical Service

Location      :      Pune (MH)

Reports To :     Technical Service Manager  

Target and scope of the position

Strengthen the Automotive & Industry business unit by ensuring the delivery of accurate, reliable, and timely laboratory support to our valued customers. This position enhances customer confidence and contributes to new business opportunities through precise testing, thorough analysis, quality assurance, and effective technical problem-solving.

Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Laboratory Management

• Lead and manage chemical / material testing laboratory operations.
• Ensure compliance with relevant standards such as ISO 9001 and automotive & Industry customer-specific requirements.
• Maintain calibration, validation, and documentation of laboratory equipment.
• Drive laboratory excellence by optimizing methods, maintaining compliance with standards, and supporting innovation in product and process development.
• Ensure precise testing, analysis, and reporting to support engineering, application development, and customer requirements.
• Supervising and guiding laboratory technicians to ensure efficient workflows and adherence to safety and quality standards.
• Delegating tasks effectively and monitoring progress to maintain productivity and accuracy.
• Drive continuous improvement in testing accuracy, turnaround time (TAT).

2. Technical Service & Customer Support

• Conduct failure analysis, root cause analysis (RCA), and recommend corrective and preventive actions (CAPA).
• Support R&D for new product development (NPD) through testing protocols and performance benchmarking.
• Participate in customer technical reviews, test requirements, plant visits, and quality audits.
• Reinforce relationships with key customers by providing added value through laboratory-driven process, quality enhancement, and technical problem-solving.
• Act as technical interface between Sales, R&D, Manufacturing, and Customers.

3. Automotive Compliance & Validation

• Ensure compliance with automotive quality standards such as:
  • IATF 16949
  • AIAG Core Tools (APQP, PPAP, FMEA, MSA, SPC)
• Support PPAP documentation and validation samples.
• Conduct product performance validation as per OEM specifications.
• Maintain traceability and test data integrity.

4. Team Leadership & Capability Development

• Lead, mentor, and develop laboratory chemists / engineers / technicians.
• Define KPIs for lab efficiency, accuracy, and customer responsiveness.
• Drive skill development in advanced testing methods and automotive & Industry standards.
• Ensure cross-functional collaboration with QA, Production, and Sales teams.

5. Business & Strategic Contribution

• Support Sales in technical presentations, value engineering discussions, and product positioning.
• Analyse field complaints and convert insights into product improvement initiatives.
• Optimize testing costs while maintaining compliance and precision.
• Provide periodic MIS reports on lab performance and customer technical metrics.

Qualifications/Experience:

• Graduation /Post Graduation in Chemical/Polymer Science /Plastic technology/Mechanical/ Chemistry.
• Minimum of 10-12 years experience in R&D / Application Test / Technical service laboratories within relevant market fields such as relevant market field of Specialty Chemicals, Paints, Adhesives and Sealants (Preferably Polyurethane / MS-SMP / Epoxy / Acrylics).
• Candidates with experience in adhesives and sealants industry will be given preference.

Key Interfaces

Internal:

• Technical Service Manager : Reporting, monitoring.
• Sales and Business Development Engineers and Managers: Providing timely testing updates and support as per business needs.
• Market Field Engineers: Collaborating on the planning, execution of tests and validation activities.

External:

• Customers - Value adding, problem solving, quality improvement, cost optimization, new business opportunity, new projects.

Behavioral

1. Customer centric approach
2. Resilient & focused
3. Proactiveness & Problem solving.
4. Result Orientation & ownership
5. Good interpersonal skills with written and verbal English communication.
6. Enthusiastic & Energetic

We offer competitive salaries, aligned with local market benchmarks and the specific scope and responsibilities of each role. Compensation is determined based skills relevant to the position, education and/or training.  We are committed to fair and equitable pay practices in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.