Vice President of Growth & Innovation

About the role

Pilot Chemical Company is seeking an executive-level Vice President of Growth & Innovation to shape and execute the strategies that define their future. Reporting directly to the CEO, this individual will lead Pilot's enterprise growth agenda across innovation, commercialization, market development, technical service, strategic partnerships, and inorganic growth initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute Pilot's long-term growth strategy and multi-year growth roadmap.
• Identify new market opportunities, strategic partnerships, and emerging technologies that accelerate business growth.
• Leverage customer insights and competitive intelligence to drive data-informed investment decisions.
• Lead innovation from ideation through commercialization, ensuring technical excellence and customer value creation.
• Oversee Technology & Innovation and Technical Service organizations supporting customers and manufacturing operations.
• Partner with Manufacturing to improve product quality, reliability, and process performance through technical problem solving.
• Lead corporate development initiatives, including strategic partnerships, business development, and M&A opportunities.
• Manage Pilot's enterprise growth portfolio through disciplined prioritization, governance, and value realization.
• Lead and develop high-performing Technology & Innovation and Market & Business Development teams.
• Partner across Commercial, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, and Business Services to accelerate execution and remove organizational barriers.
• Establish Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), monitor growth initiatives, and communicate progress to the Leadership Team and Board of Directors.

Requirements

• Educational & Business Foundation: Advanced degree in chemistry, chemical engineering, business, marketing, or a related discipline, with the strategic and analytical capabilities to lead enterprise growth initiatives.
• Specialty Chemical Industry Leadership: 20+ years of progressive leadership experience with deep expertise in specialty chemicals and related markets.
• Growth Strategy & Innovation: Proven track record driving profitable growth through innovation, commercialization, market development, and market dynamics relevant to Pilot (AOS formulations, household cleaners, personal care, I&I, biocides, lubricants, emulsion polymerization).
• Strategic & Commercial Acumen: Ability to translate customer insights and market intelligence into actionable growth strategies and investment priorities.
• Innovation & Technology Leadership: Experience leading R&D, product development, commercialization, and innovation portfolio management from concept to launch.
• M&A & Corporate Development: Demonstrated success leading strategic partnerships, acquisitions, due diligence, integration planning, and value creation initiatives.
• Tech & Operational Partnership: Strong technical credibility with experience supporting customers and partnering with manufacturing to improve quality, reliability, and process performance.
• Executive Leadership & Cross-Functional Influence: Proven ability to lead diverse teams and drive alignment across commercial, technology, manufacturing, supply chain, and business functions.

Key Personal Attributes

• Strategic thinker and outstanding communicator with an external market orientation.
• Innovative leader who thrives on creating new growth opportunities.
• Technically credible with strong commercial instincts.
• Collaborative executive who builds alignment and accountability.
• Analytical, data-driven, and decisive in complex business environments.
• Curious, resilient, and energized by solving challenging customer and market problems.
• Humble, authentic, and committed to developing people and organizational capability.