Sr. Leader, Global Hair Care Innovation

About the role

Ashland Specialty Ingredients, GP is seeking a Sr. R&D Leader, Global Hair Care to join their Personal Care business unit at their Bridgewater, NJ innovation center. This is a central, visible, and significant role within the Personal Care team and at the R&D function at Ashland.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a key member of the Global Personal Care R&D leadership team and share responsibility for division-wide business priorities.
• Oversee and supervise all R&D development and innovation efforts within the Hair Care segment.
• Direct the development of new products and the improvement of existing products.
• Ensure the Hair Care pipeline is healthy and robust and brings meaningful innovations to the Market.
• Provide leadership and direction to a team of about 25 researchers across the globe.
• Lead cross-functional teams responsible for developing hair care technologies that will fill gaps in the current portfolio and satisfy the needs of the marketplace.
• Ensure the team has the competencies and structure required to implement the long-term strategy.
• Drive accountability for the selection and development of talent and succession within the organization to ensure an effective, sustainable model and talent pipeline.
• Responsible, along with commercial management team, to identify new product opportunities in hair care business segments.
• Partner with global teams in Manufacturing, Supply Chain and Regulatory to bring new products from development to commercialization.
• Collaborate and develop strong relationships with human resources, finance, and other center-led functions to ensure effective partnerships and alignment.
• Contribute to competitive portfolio analysis and creation of differentiated portfolio strategies.
• Forge close partnerships with other members of the Personal Care Leadership Team and other key stakeholders, ensuring “best practice” is incorporated into this business unit.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in chemistry, chemical engineering, biology, physics, or related scientific/technical discipline required.
• 10+ years of relevant experience including technology development and implementation; leading and developing teams and driving innovation in a heavily regulated industry; preferably in EPA and/or REACH governed end-markets.
• Strong Hair Care background with experience working in the ingredients and formulation spaces.
• Demonstrated scientific excellence through publications/patents in the area of personal care.
• Significant experience operating in a global technical and business environment, preferably in nature derived polymers, surfactants, and specialty ingredients.
• Proven track record of successful new product launches.

Qualifications

• Ability to influence outcomes, utilizing effective communication skills across functions.
• Excellent leadership skills, as evidenced by a track record of hiring, retaining, developing, and motivating top-tier scientific talent.
• Proven track record of driving accountability and fostering problem-solving within the team.
• Strategic & analytical thinking skills and a pleasant and engaging style.
• Excellent communication skills, good work ethic and positive attitude.