Director of Technology - Personal Care Ingredients

Optify Search are currently partnered with a growing U.S. specialty chemicals manufacturer seeking a Director of Technology to lead innovation, application development, and technical strategy across its advanced chemical technologies portfolio.

This is a unique leadership opportunity for a technically driven professional to shape the future direction of a business serving the personal care, life sciences, and specialty chemical markets. The successful candidate will act as a key technical authority, working closely with customers, commercial teams, and R&D to identify new applications, support product development, and drive long-term growth.

The role combines technology leadership, customer engagement, innovation, and commercial strategy, offering the opportunity to build and lead a technology function within a growing organization.

• Lead the company's technology strategy and innovation roadmap across personal care, life sciences, and specialty chemical applications.
• Identify new growth opportunities and application areas for glycolic acid and related technologies.
• Act as a senior technical resource for customers, providing expertise and support during product development and commercialization activities.
• Partner closely with commercial teams to support business development, strategic accounts, and key customer projects.
• Work cross-functionally with R&D, operations, manufacturing, regulatory, and commercial teams.
• Evaluate market trends, emerging technologies, and competitive products to drive innovation initiatives.
  
  Support the development of new products, formulations, and customer-focused solutions.
• Represent the company at customer meetings, industry conferences, and technical events.
• Build and develop the future technology organization as the business continues to expand.

• Bachelor's degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Cosmetic Science, or a related scientific discipline. Advanced degree preferred.
• 10+ years of experience within personal care ingredients, specialty chemicals, life sciences, or related markets.
• Strong technical background in product development, application development, technical service, or R&D.
• Experience interacting directly with customers and translating technical capabilities into commercial opportunities.
• Demonstrated track record of driving innovation, new product development, and market expansion initiatives.
• Previous leadership experience, either through direct people management or leading technical programs and projects.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills.
• Entrepreneurial mindset with the ability to thrive in a growth-oriented environment.

• Opportunity to lead technology and innovation within a fast-growing specialty chemicals business.
• Highly visible leadership role with direct influence on business strategy.
• Work across personal care, cosmetic actives, life sciences, and specialty chemical applications.
• Shape future product development and commercial expansion initiatives.
• Build and develop a technology function with significant long-term career potential.