Director, R&D, NA

About the role

As the Director, R&D - NA, you will partner with Market Segment commercial leaders to drive the impact of innovation on material margin and EBITDA via new products (NPD) and applications (NAD). Additionally, you will develop, coach, and mentor a team into a high-performance organization that is empowered, collaborative, and inclusive. You will manage HIC R&D Labs and collaborate with Global R&D-PT teams.

Responsibilities

• Ensure HIC lab operates safely and teams are proactive in driving safe behaviors. Drive safety culture and mindset. Ensure 100% compliance to company policies and local regulations on environment, safety and security.
• Partner with marketing, sales, and technical service to conduct voice-of-customer to identify and shape high-value and differentiated new product development and new application development projects.
• Develop product and technology needs to address market trends in a clear multi-generation technology roadmap.
• Be an R&D voice to the Market Segments providing input on strategic focus areas, new markets, and applications.
• Maintain an active list of NPD, NAD, and technical service request (TSR) projects. Use appropriate criteria to evaluate and prioritize projects.
• Partner with Sr. Director R&D-PT to develop key metrics for R&D project delivery and effectiveness.
• Prioritize and execute stage gate and application projects to achieve the key metrics.
• Partner with SBU and R&D leader to develop goals, annual operating plan, operating and capital budgets, performance management, and succession plans.
• Ensure that IP is protected via patents and trade secrets. Vocal participation in driving IP decisions for R&D.
• Monitor R&D activities of key competitors including patents, publications, and announcements. Perform competitive benchmarking as needed.
• Provide input and data for technical data sheets, product brochures.
• Partner with the manufacturing process technology team to scaleup and commercialize new products via capable processes.
• Provide input and data for product launch.
• Ensure the HIC labs have the synthesis, analytical, and application test equipment to support the R&D project pipeline.
• Partner with universities, national labs, and other third-party service providers for ideation and technology development as needed.
• Develop and manage project review cadence to ensure progress, identify issues, and support needed.
• Recruit new talent and backfill as needed; develop relationships with key local universities.
• Coach and develop team members to achieve their full potential and career aspirations.
• Lead by example; energize and empower teams; collaborate with other R&D groups and across functions; drive continuous improvement in operating processes and efficiency.
• Provide input to R&D strategy, goals, metrics, priorities, and improvements to R&D processes.
• Support targeted opportunities with pre-diligence, synergies quantification, due diligence, and post-acquisition integration processes.

Qualifications

• Hands-on bench work builds trust, shows commitment, and facilitates faster project execution, while mentoring and training the team.
• Creating Extraordinary. Start with a Bachelor's or Master's in Chemistry. PhD in Chemistry preferred.
• Minimum of 10 years' of experience in specialty chemicals.
• Minimum of 5 years' experience managing a global team of scientists covering synthesis, product development, and application engineering.
• Track record of developing and commercializing new products and applications to achieve target innovation impact on business.

Benefits

Some offerings may vary by role or region, but may include: Physical Health benefits including competitive Medical, Dental, and Vision packages, company contribution to Health Savings Account, cash incentive for Annual Physical, and reimbursement; Financial Wellness opportunities including company-paid life insurance and disability plans, 401(k) Retirement Plan with generous company match, and certified Financial Planning & Investment services; Mental Health benefits including generous Paid Time Off and 10 Paid Holidays, Paid Parental Bonding Leave, and much more!

Pay

The salary range for this position is $170,000 - $220,000. The specific salary offered will be determined by a variety of factors including location, experience, and education.