Location: Bethel, CT (Immediate Start); Relocation to Atlanta, GA July 2026

Salary: $165,000-175,000

Campbell HR is working with Duracell in the search for the R&D Senior Technical Leader – Alkaline Materials Development. This Senior Technical Leader provides technical and program leadership for the Alkaline Materials Development Group, driving the design, development, and deployment of innovative, cost-effective raw materials that enable competitive alkaline battery performance and manufacturability.

This role serves as the Duracell Subject Matter Expert (SME) for alkaline raw materials, leading cross-functional collaboration across R&D, Procurement, Supply Management, Quality, Engineering, and Product Launch. The position requires deep technical expertise combined with strong program leadership, supplier engagement, and the ability to translate material science innovations into commercial and manufacturing value.

Job Responsibilities:

• Lead the introduction and rollout of new alkaline raw materials, processes, and capabilities across existing and next-generation cell designs.
• Serve as the recognized “go-to” technical leader and owner for alkaline raw materials, providing deep expertise in material selection, performance, cost, and risk.
• Critically analyze experimental and program-level data to uncover insights, troubleshoot issues, and drive timely, technically sound decisions.
• Develop and deploy predictive material characterization methods in collaboration with the Analytical Group, advancing beyond established test methods.
• Lead material understanding across the full manufacturing lifecycle, including transformations during processing and scale-up.
• Lead delivery of material development strategies addressing business needs through management of large, complex, cross-functional programs.
• Propose, initiate, and execute program-level plans for technology delivery and capability building.
• Develop insights from program work to influence broader R&D direction and upstream material strategies.
• Ensure milestones are achieved and translated into actionable implications for product and process development.
• Recruit, develop, and manage Materials Development staff.
• Assign and prioritize work for a small technical team to achieve operational targets and service standards.
• Apply sound management practices including work planning, scheduling, prioritization, coaching, and execution.
• Foster a collaborative, high-performance laboratory and innovation culture.
• Provide leadership for the Alkaline Materials Laboratory, supporting characterization of:
  • Anode and cathode materials
  • Separators
  • Resins
  • Current collectors
• Ensure laboratory activities support both near-term product needs and long-term technology capability development.
• Maintain a strong hands-on presence in the lab as required.
• Collaborate closely with Alkaline Design Leaders to introduce new materials into current and future cell architectures.
• Establish and maintain strong partnerships with raw material suppliers, including on-site visits, to drive innovation, cost optimization, and supply resilience.
• Work with Procurement to identify and introduce materials delivering clear commercial and business benefits.
• Partner with Supply Management, Engineering, Product Launch, and QA to ensure material specifications, performance, and quality requirements are met.
• Represent the Materials Group in Competitive Analysis and Patent Review activities, collaborating closely with the Upstream Materials Group.
• Lead technical programs and represent the team in cross-functional, segment, sector, and external partner forums.
• Communicate complex technical concepts clearly and persuasively through strong written and verbal communication.
• Interpret policies, standards, and specifications and influence others at an operational level to ensure alignment and execution.

Job Requirements:

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in chemistry or materials science or chemical engineering (required)
• Master’s degree in chemistry, materials science, or chemical engineering (preferred)

Technical & Professional Experience

• Broad and deep technical knowledge across materials science, electrochemistry, and alkaline battery systems.
• Working knowledge of electrochemistry, Design of Experiments (DOE), and Statistical Process Control (SPC) strongly preferred.
• Experience with manufacturing processes and process control is a plus.
• Demonstrated ability to lead complex technical programs and cross-functional initiatives.
• Strong program management, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Hands-on laboratory experience required, with willingness to actively work in lab environments.

This Job Description describes the general content and requirements for the position. It is not an exhaustive statement of the essential functions, responsibilities, or requirements of the job; they may change from time to time and are dictated by the needs of the organization and the supervisor to whom the employee will report.

Our client is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other protected characteristic as outlined by federal, state, or local laws.