Director of Research and Development

An exciting role as Director of Research and Development in our R&D Lab located in Danbury, Connecticut – Production Facility.

In this role you will lead the R&D Lab. You will coordinate requests received from production and QC for analysis, and improve existing processes. This function will direct research into new processes and products. Evaluate requests received for custom syntheses of new compounds and coordinate the implementation of these syntheses. This position will interface directly with customers regarding their specialty product needs and provide technical assistance to customers on an as‑needed basis.

This roll will conduct complex research activities involving analyses and evaluation of research data to assess feasibility given current capabilities.

This function will act as a strategic partner to Sales and Business Units to ensure R&D initiatives align with commercial objectives. Manage a dynamic customer‑focused project pipeline that balances immediate customer requests with long‑term innovation, while identifying process efficiencies and continuous improvement.

This position covers a range of activities including:

• Supervises personnel, including performance evaluation, training, work allocation, and problem resolution. Makes recommendations for hiring and firing.
• Motivates employees to achieve peak productivity and performance.
• Directs laboratory personnel in their performance of complex laboratory syntheses, as well as data acquisition, manipulation, and analysis.
• Establishes the criteria for experimental design, monitors the progress, and evaluates the outcome.
• Review, edit, and/or write chemical processes.
• Identifies and prepares information to support substantive suggestions for improvements in syntheses, processes, and techniques.
• Provide management with cost evaluations for new and existing products. Determine which new product requests will be feasible and cost‑effective.
• Conduct literature searches.
• Assemble processes and relevant references for projects given to outside chemical contractors.
• Ensures proper care, safety, maintenance, and usage of technology, equipment, and/or systems.
• Complies with all BRI environmental and safety policies and procedures.
• Assists toll manufacturers in producing materials for BRI, as well as customers for whom we provide toll manufacturing services.
• Sales & Business Unit Integration:
  Partner with Sales leadership to translate customer needs and market trends into product developments; provide technical data and presentations to support the Sales.
• Strategic Project Management:
  Oversee the full lifecycle of R&D projects, categorizing efforts into short‑term tactical wins (product refinements, cost‑outs, or immediate customer troubleshooting) and long‑term strategic research (new molecule discovery, process innovation, and technology platform management).
• Pipeline Optimization:
  Utilize project management tools to track milestones, resource allocation, and time‑to‑market, ensuring that technical breakthroughs are commercialized rapidly.
• Performs miscellaneous job‑related duties as assigned.
• Comply with all BRI environmental and safety policies and procedures.
• PhD in Organic Chemistry preferred with five to ten years of experience in the organic specialty chemical industry.
• Knowledge of the principles and techniques of synthetic organic chemistry as applied to the flavor, fragrance, and/or pheromone industry.
• Skill in the operation of standard laboratory equipment used for analysis, synthesis and distillation.
• Familiarity with GC/MS operation and spectral interpretation.
• Good communication skills, both written and oral.
• Commercial Acumen:
  Ability to understand and translate market dynamics and financial implications of R&D decisions on the company’s growth goals.
• Advanced Project Management:
  Proficiency in managing multiple competing priorities with varying timelines and resource requirements.
• Collaborative Leadership:
  Strong ability to bridge the gap between technical laboratory staff and non‑technical business units and Sales.
• Ability to comply with all BRI environmental and safety policies and procedures.

A competitive compensation and benefit package including medical, dental, Bonus program, profit sharing and 401k. Relocation package available for the right candidate.

An Equal Opportunity Employer committed to diversity in the workplace.