R&D Data Science Leader — AI Strategy & Growth

What You'll Do

• Define and execute the enterprise R&D analytics and digital strategy to drive growth, margin expansion, and operational excellence
• Lead end-to-end portfolio governance, including investment prioritization, resource allocation, and roadmap alignment
• Champion the digital transformation of R&D, scaling advanced analytics, AI, and automation solutions
• Act as a thought leader on emerging technologies, identifying scalable opportunities to enhance innovation and competitiveness
• Establish governance frameworks to ensure data integrity, compliance, and execution discipline

• Set the direction for advanced modeling, optimization, and machine learning to solve complex R&D and business challenges
• Lead development of scalable analytics tools from concept through production deployment
• Drive adoption of analytics solutions to enable:
  • Portfolio optimization
  • Risk identification
  • Data‑driven decision‑making
• Oversee the creation and governance of data pipelines, data structures, and features required for advanced analytics
• Serve as a senior technical advisor translating complex data into business value

• Own the vision and governance for R&D systems and analytics platforms
• Partner with IT to design and deploy integrated, scalable digital solutions
• Advance enterprise capabilities in:
  • Knowledge management
  • Experimentation and modeling
  • Specification and product lifecycle data
• Ensure systems are scalable, secure, and aligned with enterprise architecture

• Establish and track R&D performance metrics, dashboards, and reporting frameworks
• Drive transparency and accountability through data‑driven performance management
  
  Identify and scale high‑impact analytics use cases that deliver measurable business results

• Lead and develop a high‑performing, global team across data science, BI, and systems
• Build a culture of innovation, accountability, and continuous improvement
• Define and execute talent and capability strategies, including succession planning and skill development
• Mentor leaders and technical experts to strengthen organizational depth and impact

• Act as a strategic partner to R&D, Operations, Procurement, Finance, Commercial, and IT leadership
• Align global and regional teams on standards, data governance, and best practices
• Translate business priorities into scalable analytics initiatives that deliver measurable value
• Ensure responsible and secure deployment of analytics solutions in partnership with IT and governance teams

• Scaled deployment of enterprise analytics solutions driving measurable ROI
• Increased speed and quality of R&D decision‑making
• Strong adoption of AI and advanced analytics tools across the organization
• A high‑performing, future‑ready analytics organization
• Robust, trusted data infrastructure supporting innovation and growth

• MS or PhD in Data Science, Engineering, or a related field
• 10+ years of experience in data science, analytics, or R&D digital transformation
• 5+ years of leadership experience managing teams or complex cross‑functional initiatives
• Proven track record of delivering business impact through analytics, systems, or operational leadership

• Advanced knowledge of statistical modeling, optimization techniques, machine learning
• Proven programming skills in Python, SQL, and cloud‑based data platforms
• Experience building data pipelines, models, and production‑ready analytics tools

• Background in materials science, polymers, manufacturing, or packaging
• Familiarity with film extrusion or food packaging interactions

• Strategic thinker with strong business and operational acumen
• Proven ability to translate complex technical concepts into business value
• Influential leader with strong stakeholder management skills
• Highly collaborative, with the ability to drive alignment across global teams
• Results‑oriented, with a track record of taking initiatives from concept to scaled impact
• Curious, innovative, and…