As the largest pureplay adhesives company in the world, H.B. Fuller’s (NYSE: FUL) innovative, functional coatings, adhesives and sealants enhance the quality, safety and performance of products people use every day. Founded in 1887, with 2024 revenue of $3.6 billion, our mission to Connect What Matters is brought to life by more than 7,500 global team members who collaborate with customers across more than 30 market segments in over 140 countries to develop highly specified solutions that enable customers to bring world-changing innovations to their end markets. Learn more at www.hbfuller.com.

Job Title: Sr Scientist

Location: Shirwal, Pune

Position Overview

A Senior Scientist I report to Technical Manager/R&D leader IMEA and responsible for technology strategy, innovation pipeline, and technical leadership for Engineering Adhesives platforms covering Reactive Adhesives (Epoxy, MMA, Anaerobic) and or MS/STP, Silicone. The role leads large, cross functional and/or cross regional programs to generate new products, processes, or methods using the Stage Gate discipline, and ensures successful scale up, commercialization, and sustained technical competitiveness. This position is a recognized internal expert who is sought out by peers and leadership, builds a strong body of IP, and applies business/market acumen to map market space and the competitive landscape to identify new opportunities and shape the platform roadmap

This position is located at India Shirwal.

Primary Responsibilities

A Senior Scientist I has a deep understanding of markets and applications, enabling the scientist to proactively identify new opportunities and gain buy-in from senior leadership to create projects or initiatives. Other responsibilities include

1) Platform Strategy & Roadmap Ownership

• Own the technology roadmap and multi‑year innovation plan for Epoxy/MMA/Anaerobic and/Or MS/STP/Silicone platforms, aligning with business growth needs and regional priorities.

• Identify whitespace opportunities through market and competitive landscape mapping, translating insights into funded projects and initiatives.

• Proactively gain alignment and buy‑in from senior stakeholders for new programs and investments.

2) Innovation, Product/Process Development & IP

• Lead creation of new product, process, or method concepts within the platform scope, driving differentiation and strong performance/cost positioning.

• Drive a strong innovation culture resulting in patentable / proprietary technology and a sustained pipeline of platform upgrades.

• Apply deep understanding of structure–property–performance relationships to solve complex problems and deliver robust solutions.

3) Program Leadership (Stage‑Gate / Project Management)

• Plan and lead large-scale development programs through Stage‑Gate, ensuring cross‑functional engagement, milestone delivery, and on‑time decisions.

• Manage multiple projects with significant business impact, ensuring work is completed within agreed timeframes and constraints.

• Prepare and deliver high‑quality technical reports and presentations to customers and internal leadership.

4) Technical Leadership to Customers & Commercial Teams

• Provide advanced technical leadership to resolve difficult customer challenges, support key customer trials and major escalations

• Build strong collaboration with Sales/Marketing to translate technical value into customer‑relevant benefits and successful adoption.

5) Scale‑Up, Manufacturing Readiness & Technology Transfer

• Lead technology transfer from lab to plant, supporting scale‑up, process robustness, and efficient production of developed technologies.

• Partner with Operations and Quality to ensure product launches meet quality systems and compliance requirements.

6) Coaching, Mentoring & Capability Building

• Coach and mentor scientists/engineers; serve as a technical “go‑to” leader across the platform.

• May supervise scientists/technicians depending on organization design; strengthen bench capability in platform chemistries and application know‑how.

7) Quality, Safety & Operational Excellence

• Fulfill responsibilities required by the site/business quality system and work safely following standard practices (5S/ISO/GMP as applicable).

KEY DELIVERABLES / SUCCESS MEASURES (KPIs)

• Stage‑Gate milestone achievement (on‑time decision gates, launch readiness)

• New product introductions and revenue/CM impact from platform programs

• IP output (patents, disclosures, proprietary know‑how) and defensible differentiation

• Scale‑up success rate (first‑time‑right, stable manufacturing, low post‑launch issues)

• Customer success outcomes for key trials / escalations (speed, effectiveness, satisfaction)

• Technical talent development (mentoring impact, capability uplift)

Minimum Requirement

• Education/Experience:

  • Bachelor's in chemistry / chemical engineering / Materials/Polymer Science with ~12+ years industry experience, OR

  • Master’s with ~10+ years, OR

  • PhD with ~7+ years industry experience

• Demonstrated ability to lead large programs and apply scientific concepts to adhesive technologies and complex problem solving

• Proven capability to generate new concepts and drive projects through Stage‑Gate/project discipline.

• Strong written and oral communication and the ability to deliver professional internal/customer presentations.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS (EA Platform-Specific)

• Deep hands‑on expertise in one or more of: Epoxy, MMA, Anaerobic, plus MS/STP and/or Silicone sealants (formulation, rheology, cure, adhesion, durability, and application methods).

• Track record of product development achievements, including scale‑up and commercialization success.

• Experience with manufacturing equipment/process requirements for sealants/adhesives and understanding of delivery to end‑use substrates (application methods/machinery).

• Strong business acumen and ability to identify market opportunities and translate them into viable projects.

TRAVEL

• Travel for customer trials, scale‑up support, and key lab/technical meetings typically <20%

COMPETENCIES / BEHAVIORS

• Responsive to change; adapts quickly.

• Accountability and results orientation

• Collaboration and commitment; works across boundaries.

• Customer focus; creates exceptional customer value.

• Operational excellence and effective self‑management.

• Innovation mindset; ability to create new value and balance change/risk taking

PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT

• Laboratory and application center environment; exposure to chemicals/powders/vapors and routine lab PPE requirements (as applicable).

H.B. Fuller is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer and proud to have created a collaborative culture where employees around the world are seen, heard, and respected. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, disability, or marital status or status as a protected veteran, or any other legally protected classification.

H.B. Fuller does not accept unsolicited resumes from recruiters, employment agencies, or staffing firms. To conduct business with H.B. Fuller, a written service agreement must be executed by Human Resources prior to submitting any information relating to a potential candidate. Without a signed service agreement, H.B. Fuller shall not be obligated for payment of any fee or compensation.