Director of Research Development

Our client helps both emerging and global brands create amazing products that help people worldwide look and feel their best. From single service to full turnkey solutions — they are with their clients every step of the way. They are a global provider with a small-business heart, collaborating with companies of all sizes and stages. They’ve built their reputation through results and relationships.

Our client seeks an inspiring individual to fill the position of Director, Research & Development (R&D), in their growing organization. S/he will have a passion for innovation and new business development focused on the personal care space and can drive actionable ideas from concept to commercialization.

As a Director of R&D, this person will play a crucial role in maintaining the companies’ competitive edge, galvanizing innovation and new product development, and championing new opportunities for growth. Armed with a solid foundation in technology, science, or engineering, and an outstanding track record in a leadership role, s/he will steer, design, and execute our research and development efforts. Supervisory Responsibilities include Research & Development Chemists and Technicians.

Essential Duties

Innovation & New Product Development

• Strategize and direct all Research and Development (R&D) activities to align with the Company's growth objectives
• Overseeing the planning, execution, and delivery of R&D projects, ensuring that they are delivered on time, within budget, and to the required quality standards to meet the Company's financial expectations
• Partner with strategic accounts to drive a collaborative innovation pipeline, aligning R&D organizations and customer expectations, focused on the personal care markets
• Lead, motivate, and manage a high-performing team of research professionals
• Oversee innovation and new product development projects from inception to commercialization
• Collaborate with stakeholders and partners, both internal and external, to understand emerging market trends and customer challenges
• Devise and implement policies and objectives to ensure the R&D department stays at the forefront of the industry and is aligned to key value drivers for the business
• Execute cost-effective and efficient research processes and methods
• Review all proposed new product development activities for feasibility and revenue potential
• Deliver new formulation and processing instructions for all new products to the operations team for successful trials and scale-up that meet stringent safety requirements and customer specifications
• Develop research programs to incorporate current product developments to improve existing product portfolio to improve performance and drive cost advantages
• Benchmark competitive and emerging technologies to ensure competitive advantage
• Understanding customer expectations on to-be manufactured products and ensure smooth transition to operations during scale-up
• Research packaging innovations and develop roadmap to support customer sustainability initiatives that are compatible with chemistries using a research-driven process

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in a scientific discipline; Doctorate preferred
• A Bachelor's degree in science, technology, engineering, or a related field (required)
• At least fifteen (15) years of experience in manufacturing with a demonstrated pattern of increasing levels of responsibility
• Ten + (10+) years of product development experience; including the determination of technical specifications and development of validation protocols
• Proven experience in managing and directing an R&D team
• Exceptional technical knowledge and a thought leader in the field

Skills:

• High level of interpersonal skills; ability to work closely with all levels of management and key external stakeholders to facilitate positive outcomes
• Experience developing new products, compounding pilot batches, structuring scale-up procedures, defining technical specifications and developing validation protocols
• Proven project management skills demonstrated by successful product launches
• Promote innovative manufacturing opportunities to assist the company in identifying potential growth areas.
• Acute attention to detail
• Absolute understanding of business ethics
• Good listening and questioning skills
• Ability to follow through on commitment, take ownership and accept responsibility
• Strong time management skills and the ability to handle multiple projects simultaneously
• Strong leadership and team management abilities
• Superior problem-solving and strategic planning abilities