Director, R&D, NA

Job Description The Role

As the Director, R&D - NA, reporting to the Sr. Director - R&D, you will partner with Market Segment commercial leaders to drive the impact of innovation on material margin and EBITDA via new products (NPD) and applications (NAD). Additionally you will develop, coach and mentor team into a high-performance organization that is empowered, collaborative and inclusive. Manage HIC R&D Labs and collaborative learning and sharing with Global R&D-PT teams.

• Safety & Compliance:
  Ensure HIC lab operates safely in line with company policies and local regulations on environment, safety and security, and drive a safety culture.
• Partner with marketing, sales and technical service to conduct voice‑of‑customer to identify and shape high‑value and differentiated new product development and new application development projects. Develop product and technology needs to address market trends in a clear multi‑generation technology roadmap.
• Business Strategy Input:
  Be an R&D voice to the Market Segments providing input on strategic focus areas, new markets and applications.
• Portfolio Management:
  Maintain an active list of NPD, NAD and technical service request (TSR) projects and use appropriate criteria to evaluate and prioritize projects.
• Key Metrics:
  Partner with Sr. Director R&D‑PT to develop key metrics for R&D project delivery and effectiveness.
• Pipeline Execution:
  With Sr. Director R&D‑PT, prioritize and execute stage gate and application projects to achieve the key metrics.
• Business Processes:
  Partner with SBU and R&D leader to develop goals, annual operating plan, operating and capital budgets, performance management and succession plans.
• Intellectual Property:
  Ensure that IP is protected via patents and trade secrets and have a vocal participation in driving IP decisions for R&D.
• Competitive Activity:
  Monitor R&D activities of key competitors including patents, publications and announcements; perform competitive benchmarking as needed.
• Product Stewardship & Regulatory:
  Collaborate with Stewardship and Regulatory to proactively assess classification needed for new products and obtain the needed agency approvals.
• Industry Presence:
  Disseminate information on new products and application data via trade journal publications, conferences, webinars and trade shows.
• Scaleup‑Manufacturing:
  Partner with the manufacturing process technology team to scaleup and commercialize new products via capable processes.
• Product Launch:
  Provide input and data for technical data sheets, product brochures.
• Lab Capability:
  Ensure the HIC labs have the synthesis, analytical and application test equipment to support the R&D project pipeline.
• External Innovation:
  Partner with universities, national labs, and other third‑party service providers for ideation technology development as needed.
• Operating Rhythm:
  Develop and manage project review cadence to ensure progress, identify issues and provide needed support.
• Staffing:
  Recruit new talent and backfills as needed and develop relationships with key local universities.
• Talent Development:
  Coach and develop team members to achieve their full potential and career aspirations.
• Leadership:
  Lead by example, energize and empower teams, collaborate with other R&D groups and across functions, and drive continuous improvement in operating processes and efficiency.
• R&D Strategy:
  Provide input to R&D strategy, goals, metrics, priorities and improvements to R&D processes.
• M&A:
  Support targeted opportunities with pre‑diligence, synergies quantification, due‑diligence and post‑acquisition integration processes.
• Hands‑On:
  This is not a desk job; hands‑on bench work builds trust, shows commitment, and facilitates faster project execution while mentoring and training the team.

• Bachelor's or Master's in Chemistry. PhD in Chemistry preferred.
• Minimum of 10 years' experience in specialty chemicals.
• Minimum of 5 years' experience managing a global team of scientists covering synthesis, product development and application engineering.
• Track record of developing and commercializing new products and applications to achieve target innovation impact…