Director, Synthetic Chemistry & Raw Materials

This job is with Johnson & Johnson, an inclusive employer and a member of my Gwork – the largest global platform for the LGBTQ+ business community. Please do not contact the recruiter directly.

At Johnson & Johnson, we believe health is everything. Our strength in healthcare innovation empowers us to build a world where complex diseases are prevented, treated, and cured, where treatments are smarter and less invasive, and solutions are personal. Through our expertise in Innovative Medicine and Med Tech, we are uniquely positioned to innovate across the full spectrum of healthcare solutions today to deliver the breakthroughs of tomorrow, and profoundly impact health for humanity. Learn

more at
Job Function:
R&D Product Development

Job Sub     Function:
Materials/Biomaterials Science

Job Category:
People Leader

All Job Posting Locations:
Jacksonville, Florida, United States of America

Job Description:

We are searching for the best talent to join our Vision team as a  Director, Synthetic Chemistry & Raw Materials  located in  Jacksonville, Florida.
Fueled by innovation at the intersection of biology and technology, we're developing the next generation of smarter, less invasive, more personalized treatments.
Are you passionate about improving and expanding the possibilities of vision treatments? Ready to join a team that's reimagining how vision is improved? Our Vision team solves the toughest health challenges. Help combine cutting-edge insights, science, technology, and people to encourage eye care professionals and patients to proactively protect, correct and enhance healthy sight for life. Our products and services address these needs - from the pediatric to aging eye - in a patient's lifetime.
Your unique talents will help patients on their journey to wellness. Learn more at

Purpose:

The R&D Director of Synthetic Chemistry and Raw Materials will lead a team of synthetic chemists, polymer chemists, polymer scientists and formulation scientists in the development and management of materials for contact lens and ocular implant products.  Collaborates with internal and external partners to scale and commercialize chemistries aligned with innovation goals. This role supports material development by creating novel monomer systems and securing intellectual property that enables Johnson & Johnson Vision's product pipeline.
You will:
Develop and implement strategies to accelerate synthetic chemistry innovation, intellectual property creation, and raw material target alignment across R&D functions.
Lead collaboration with internal teams and external partners to optimize capabilities, develop strategic supplier relationships, and secure a reliable supply chain for new product initiatives.
Manage a team of scientific professionals, directing research priorities, resource allocation, and staff development to foster impactful chemistry and material innovations.
Oversee characterization of monomers and polymerization processes, scale-up activities from lab to commercial production, and ensure compliance with standards and documentation.
Drive project milestones and coordinate design-build-test activities to advance early-stage projects, supporting regulatory, CAPA, and supply risk mitigation efforts.
Performs other related duties assigned by management such as maintaining financial targets, supporting organizational efficiency initiatives, EHS requirements, audit requests and GMP requirements
Qualifications
Bachelor's degree in Chemistry, Polymer Science, Chemical Engineering, or Biomedical Engineering with 8-12 years of experience;
PhD with 6-10 years preferred.
Proven track record in successful technology or product launches within the medical device or related fields.
Strong project management skills, capable of handling multiple initiatives with high attention to detail and meeting development milestones.

Experience with material specification requirements and characterization for regulatory submissions.
Proven leadership in cross-functional teams, fostering collaboration and building consensus, with a focus on accountability and continuous process improvements.
Domestic and International travel is required up to 15%
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