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Product R&D Lead

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Reference ID R180528 Updated 08/13/2025
Production and Manufacturing Downstream
Malaysia
Bintulu
N/A

What’s the role

The Product R&D Lead is integral to the delivery of Shell MDS’ Vision 2028. You will lead R&D Team, support SMDS Product Innovation and collaborate with other Extended Site Leadership Team Members to drive the site to Best in Class performance as the World’s Leading Gas-to-Liquids Specialties facility.

You will be accountable to lead and execute new GTL products R&D testing, new product applications, new product specifications and product certifications/compliances to assure SMDS Marketing deliveries fulfil consistent product qualities and meet certification according to existing and future customer’s product specifications, including providing technical expertise and troubleshooting of challenges throughout.

This role is responsible to lead the SMDS business strategy on GTL product innovation, R&D testing requirements and ensure that all activities are conducted safely, effectively and efficiently at all times. You will also lead the leadership and capability development in the areas of product R&D and innovation to meet the business objectives. You will be integral in strengthening our capability and speed in bringing to market new and premium GTL products ahead of our competitors.

What you’ll be doing

You will report to the Product Innovation & Technical Manager. You will be an individual contributor with significant collaboration roles.

Your accountabilities will include:

HSSE

  • You will support high HSSE performance of the site with leading responsibility for Product R&D Team including Contractor Partners through effective safety leadership and coaching.

Technical

  • You will lead an analyst who will execute product development, analysis and testing activities to develop new in-house technical capability necessary to realize SMDS’ aspiration to deliver customer-focused specialty GTL products. This includes developing annual, mid and long term targets for the Site delivery. Effectively execute these activities in accordance to HSSE and quality standards & requirements, Shell General Business Principles, ISO17025, ISO 9001, ISO14001 and OHSAS 18001.
  • You will advise and provide technical expertise building on existing and enabling future product development and deployment, applications and when needed to support plant production troubleshooting and R&D projects.
  • You will evaluate and implement effective technical solutions through the use of new analytical technology, test methods and R&D testing equipment necessary to realize the business’ delivery of new products and applications. You will develop and deliver these tactics through a yearly Capital Expenditure budgeting and/or approved work processes i.e Management of Change.
  • You will ensure that new test methods developed are calibrated against a reference test method, and provide assurance throughout procedure and work instructions, validation and calibration reports produced.
  • To ensure continued operations of the product quality assurance process and availability of the equipment necessary to deliver this, you will provide support in troubleshooting and resolution of issues faced in routine and non-routine laboratory operations.
  • Effectively execute and support product R&D, innovation and technical activities at the Bintulu manufacturing facility by leading and implementing initiatives necessary for delivery against performance targets including and not limited to collaboration with Production for coordinating test runs, development of projects or plant changes with Technology, Project Development & R&D, Shell MDS Marketing, Project Engineering and MTAC Construction, providing performance monitoring and reporting of product innovation progress from ideation to realization.
  • Provide active support to the Shell MDS Site Governance of Goal Zero, People, Reliability, Cost, Projects and Turnaround and in particular for the Innovation Element, providing both technical and business expertise to ensure continuous delivery of innovations aligned with the SMDS aspiration to realize customer focused specialty products.
  • You will be supporting marketing activities in product launches, and identifying and driving customer value propositions, and participate in Expo/Conferences and conduct Technical Presentations.
  • You will deliver high impact tasks as directed by the Product Innovation & Technical Manager and working closely with Product R&D Manager to achieve high performance results.

Team Leadership & Collaboration

  • You will provide technical advice to the Product Quality & Laboratory technical team to raise overall competence standards and skills in new equipment/method knowhow, troubleshooting, analytics and reporting activities.
  • You will maintain a dynamic and thriving interface between the SMDS Marketing with the Bintulu Manufacturing Site to enable an effective and speedy product R&D program.

What you bring

We are keen to speak with individuals who have:

  • Bachelor’s degree in chemistry or engineering discipline or Equivalent with 4+ years of oil & gas experience or any other industries like biofuel, chemical, plant, food etc.
  • Certified Member of Institut Kimia Malaysia (IKM) | Malaysian Institute of Chemistry
  • Experience in product R&D, developing new products, product certification, delivering or managing technology, laboratory operation and/or laboratory technical services.
  • Demonstrated capability to lead innovate, simplify complex issues, integrated thinking and drive change through hands on involvement.
  • Excellent collaborative, communication skills and strong learner mindset. Key Competences: Demonstrated Leadership Attributes & Coaching Capability
  • Product R&D and Certification
  • Knowledge of HSSE Management (Risk Management, HSE Case, HEMP, Incident Classification and Investigation, Incident Control and Recovery)
  • Analysis, Problem Solving and Process Safety Knowledge
  • Team Working, Networking and Coaching Knowledge
  • Plant Operation/Manufacturing Knowledge
  • Project Management Knowledge
  • Supply Chain Product Quality Management Knowledge
  • Plant/Production Unit configuration & Processes Knowledge

What we offer

You bring your skills and experience to Shell and in return you work with talented, committed people on one of the most important challenges facing our planet. You’ll have the opportunity to develop the skills you need to grow in an environment where we value honesty, integrity, and respect for one another. You’ll be able to balance your priorities as you become the best version of yourself.

  • Progress as a person as we work on the energy transition together.
  • Continuously grow the transferable skills you need to get ahead.
  • Work at the forefront of technology, trends, and practices.
  • Collaborate with experienced colleagues with unique expertise.
  • Achieve your balance in a values-led culture that encourages you to be the best version of yourself.
  • Benefit from flexible working hours, and the possibility of remote/mobile working.
  • Perform at your best with a competitive starting salary and annual performance related salary increase – our pay and benefits packages are considered to be among the best in the world.
  • Take advantage of paid parental leave, including for non-birthing parents.
  • Join an organisation working to become one of the most diverse and inclusive in the world. We strongly encourage applicants of all genders, ages, ethnicities, cultures, abilities, sexual orientation, and life experiences to apply.
  • Grow as you progress through diverse career opportunities in national and
  • international teams.
  • Gain access to a wide range of training and development programmes.

We'd like you to know that Shell has a bold goal: to become one of the world’s most diverse and inclusive companies. You can get to know more about how we're working towards that goal, click here.

Shell in Malaysia

Shell has been a partner in fuelling Malaysia’s progress for over 130 years. Our journey with the nation is intertwined – in as much as Shell has played a role in growing the country’s energy sector, Malaysia has also played a significant role in the company’s progress.

Our business has diversified from a modest kerosene venture to a group of companies engaged in every aspect of the modern oil and gas business.

Today, Shell maintains a strong multi-faceted presence in the country through our longer-term investments, innovation-sharing, and impact to local communities.

We helped pioneer Malaysia’s oil and gas industry and fuelled its growth. We discovered Malaysia’s first oil onshore, then took the industry offshore, and most recently into the technically-challenging depths of Deepwater.

Shell’s strong retail network fuels the journeys of millions of Malaysian motorists every day. In fact, Shell is even able to offer one of the most differentiated fuel and lubricant products, some of which were pioneered right here in the country.

We fuelled the ambitions of Malaysians: whether the generations of retail business partners; thousands of Shell scholars over the years; young entrepreneurs from our LiveWire programme; or Shell staff and alumni who are Malaysian luminaries today.

Shell continues to be one of the top employers in Malaysia with thousands employed in our upstream, midstream and downstream businesses, as well as in our service and support functions.