Director - R&D

Summary

The Global Director, Research, Innovation, Quality & Sustainability is responsible for setting and executing the enterprise-wide strategy across Global Compounds for research and innovation, product and process quality, and sustainability across global operations. The role ensures products, technologies, and processes are innovative, compliant, high quality, and aligned with sustainability and ESG commitments.

May include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Lead global research and innovation strategy aligned with business objectives.
• Oversee R&D programs across regions to support growth and product differentiation.
• Evaluate emerging technologies, partnerships, and external collaborations.

• Provide global leadership for quality management systems and standards.
• Ensure compliance with regulatory, customer, and industry requirements.
• Lead continuous improvement and corrective action initiatives.

• Define and execute global sustainability strategy and objectives.
• Support sustainability reporting and ESG data governance.
• Integrate sustainability into product development and operations.

• Lead and develop global teams across research, quality, and sustainability.
• Collaborate with executive leadership and cross‑functional stakeholders.

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Chemistry, Materials Science, Environmental Science, or related field required.
• Advanced degree (Master’s or PhD) preferred.
• Minimum of 12 years of progressive global leadership experience in R&D, quality, or sustainability.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit, stand, walk and climb; use hands to touch, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stoop, kneel, or crouch. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds, and infrequently lift and/or move up to 30 lbs.

Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus. The employee must frequently make minor decisions with limited information, general decisions in the absence of specific directions, and perform activities requiring sustained concentration. The position requires up to 20% travel.

The noise level in the work environment is sometimes moderate when working in an office, however, some of the work may be required in the operating units which mandates usage of required PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) including safety glasses, hearing protection, etc. During active remediation additional requirements may include fit testing for respiratory equipment, chemical suits, face shields, etc. May also result in exposure to outside elements and may require usage of stairs.

Moderate travel (20‑40%) may be required in the performance of duties.

Westlake is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to any characteristics protected by applicable legislation.