Global Research & Development Director

About the Role

We are seeking an experienced and innovative Director of Research & Development to lead our R&D laboratory and drive scientific, technical, and commercial advancement across our specialty chemical portfolio. This is a high‑impact leadership role responsible for overseeing complex laboratory operations, managing a diverse project pipeline, and partnering closely with Production, Quality, Sales, and Business Units to translate market needs into technical solutions.

The ideal candidate is a hands‑on scientific leader with deep expertise in synthetic organic chemistry, strong project management capabilities, and a proven ability to guide teams through both tactical problem‑solving and long‑term innovation.

Responsibilities

R&D Leadership & Laboratory Management

  • Lead and mentor R&D staff, including performance management, training, work allocation, and problem resolution.

  • Direct laboratory personnel in complex syntheses, analytical work, data acquisition, and interpretation.

  • Establish experimental design criteria, monitor progress, and evaluate outcomes.

  • Ensure proper care, safety, and maintenance of laboratory equipment, technology, and systems.

Scientific & Technical Execution

  • Oversee research into new processes, products, and custom syntheses.

  • Evaluate feasibility of new product requests and determine cost‑effectiveness.

  • Review, edit, and develop chemical processes and technical documentation.

  • Conduct literature searches and assemble technical packages for internal teams and external contractors.

Strategic Project & Pipeline Management

  • Manage a dynamic project pipeline balancing immediate customer needs with long‑term innovation.

  • Categorize and oversee projects ranging from product refinements and troubleshooting to new molecule discovery and process development.

  • Utilize project management tools to track milestones, resources, and time‑to‑market.

  • Ensure rapid commercialization of technical breakthroughs.

Cross‑Functional & Customer Collaboration

  • Partner with Sales and Business Units to align R&D initiatives with commercial objectives.

  • Provide technical support and presentations to Sales teams and customers.

  • Interface directly with customers to understand specialty product needs and deliver technical solutions.

  • Support toll manufacturing partners and customers requiring toll services.

Continuous Improvement

  • Identify opportunities to improve syntheses, processes, and laboratory techniques.

  • Recommend and implement process efficiencies and best practices.

  • Ensure compliance with all environmental, safety, and regulatory policies.

Requirements

Education

  • PhD in Organic Chemistry strongly preferred.

  • Master’s or Bachelor’s degree with significant relevant experience will be considered.

Experience

  • 5–10 years of experience in the organic specialty chemical industry.

  • Demonstrated experience leading laboratory teams and managing complex R&D projects.

  • Experience with synthetic organic chemistry in the flavor, fragrance, or pheromone industry is highly desirable.

Skills & Competencies

  • Expertise in synthetic organic chemistry, laboratory techniques, and distillation.

  • Familiarity with GC/MS operation and spectral interpretation.

  • Strong communication skills, both written and verbal.

  • Proven leadership and team‑building abilities.

  • Commercial acumen and the ability to translate market needs into technical solutions.

  • Advanced project management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities.

  • Collaborative leadership style with the ability to work across technical and non‑technical teams.

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