Job Description

Continental develops pioneering technologies and services for sustainable and connected mobility of people and their goods. Founded in 1871, the technology company offers safe, efficient, intelligent and affordable solutions for vehicles, machines, traffic and transportation. In 2021, Continental generated sales of €33.8 billion and currently employs more than 190,000 people in 58 countries and markets. On October 8, 2021, the company celebrated its 150th anniversary.

1. Introduction of New and Alternative Raw Materials

• Introduce and qualify new and alternative chemical raw materials for tire production following defined procedures and process steps.
• Hold global responsibility for raw material introduction activities to meet R&D technical and processing requirements.
• Organize and coordinate approval processes for new and alternative raw materials.
• Define, establish, and continuously improve raw material specifications.
• Organize material provision and lead technical negotiations with suppliers regarding raw material specifications.
• Drive continuous improvement of company-wide raw material specification and approval systems.

2. Raw Material Investigation and Evaluation

• Initiate and coordinate chemical raw material and compound evaluations at laboratory and plant level.
• Ensure compound and tire performance, stability, and quality meet Continental requirements.
• Prepare technical reports and documentation for raw material release decisions.
• Initiate pre-laboratory studies for new raw materials.
• Conduct fundamental investigations to understand raw material behavior and performance.

3. Supplier Management and Technical Interface

• Represent R&D as the technical “one voice” toward internal stakeholders, including Corporate Purchasing, Quality Management, and Product Industrialization.
• Ensure alignment of technical raw material requirements with Continental’s overall raw material strategy.
• Coordinate raw material application across R&D and industrial functions.
• Conduct independent technical negotiations with suppliers, considering technical performance, economical and environmental requirements.
• Evaluate and rate suppliers from a technical perspective.

4. Knowledge Management and Technical Expertise

• Continuously update and maintain expertise in chemical raw materials, their applications and production processes.
• Capture and sustain know-how and learnings from new developments and past experience.
• Represent R&D in internal and external working groups, task forces, projects, and collaborations.
• Cooperate in and/or lead tasks related to raw materials and material technologies.
• Provide technical advice and guidance to Purchasing and Plants (Product Industrialization) on raw material topics.

5. Project Management – Member Role

• Take responsibility for defined work packages in R&D projects and task forces.
• Ensure achievement of defined project targets (e.g. product performance, cost, timing).
• Actively contribute technical expertise to project execution and problem-solving.

6. Project Management – Manager Role

• Take over project or task force leadership for Raw Material Introduction (RMI) development projects.
• Define and establish project and task force structures, including objectives, development strategies and team members.
• Coordinate, administer, and steer project activities.
• Manage and control project results with respect to quality, timing, and cost.
• Ensure continuous coordination and reporting to management and steering committees, particularly at defined project milestones.

Qualifications

Education

• University degree (Master’s or PhD preferred) in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Polymer Science, Materials Science, or a related field.

Experience

• Min. two years of professional experience in R&D, raw materials, or chemical/material development, preferably within the tire, rubber, or chemical industry.
• Proven experience in raw material evaluation, qualification, and specification development.
• Experience working with external suppliers and cross-functional stakeholders.
• Project experience in an R&D environment; project leadership experience is an advantage.

Skills & Competencies

• Strong technical expertise in tire chemical raw materials and material characterization.
• Background in biochemistry with application to natural rubber research is an advantage (preferred).
• Structured, analytical, and problem-solving mindset with a strong scientific approach.
• Ability to work independently with a global responsibility scope.
• Strong communication and negotiation skills in a technical environment.
• Ability to work effectively in cross-functional and international teams.
• Good command of English (written and spoken); additional languages are an advantage.

Additional Information

Ready to drive with Continental? Take the first step and fill in the online application.

Ready to drive with Continental? Take the first step and fill in the online application.