Global Innovation Director

Solenis is a leading global producer of specialty chemicals focused on delivering sustainable solutions for water-intensive industries, including consumer, industrial, institutional, food and beverage, and pool and spa water markets. Owned by Platinum Equity, the company's product portfolio includes a broad array of water treatment chemistries, process aids, functional additives, and cleaners and disinfectants, as well as state-of-the-art monitoring and control systems. These technologies are used by customers to improve operational efficiencies, enhance product quality, protect plant assets, minimize environmental impact, and create cleaner and safer environments.

Headquartered in Wilmington, Delaware, the company has 69 manufacturing facilities strategically located around the globe and employs a team of over 16,100 professionals in 130 countries across six continents. Solenis is a 2024 US Best Managed Company, recognized fouryears in a row. For more information about Solenis, please visit www.solenis.com.

The Global Innovation Director of our Pool Solutions Research and Product Development team will work collaboratively with cross-functional partners to develop and execute innovation ideas, lead new product introductions globally, develop R&D strategies and experiments to perform product testing and validate claim support, and support our recreational water business with excellence in technical education and consumer/customer problem solving. In addition, you will also lean forward in scouting and recommending partnerships with external entities to drive our ambitious innovation roadmap further.

As an entrepreneurial player-coach, you will develop and hold accountable a high-performing team of 5-10 professionals and maintain a compelling workplace based on technical acumen, collaboration, and a passion for breakthrough innovation. You will also be responsible for recruiting and developing personnel while maintaining a highly engaged team that embodies fidelity to Solenis's Leadership values.

Key Responsibilities:

• Identify new innovation ideas for unique breakthrough products and deploy globally from cradle to grave
• Lead and develop a team of 5- 10 skilled professionals
• Hold team members accountable for their performance while recognizing achievement
• Document and align team goals with business priorities
• Independently identify opportunities for improvement of internal procedures and processes
• Drive project management excellence in collaboration with the marketing team
• Aggressively capture intellectual property through patents/trademarks
• Ensure collaboration between your Fort Mill-based team and the global R&D function

Experience and Qualifications:

• 10+ years' experience in chemicals or fast moving consumer products
• 8+ years' experience managing research professionals
• Ph. D in relevant scientific discipline- Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or Material Science
• Demonstrated experience in initiating and negotiating external partnership explorations
• Track record of leading commercialization of innovative new products
• History of innovative design of breakthrough products
• Experience with EPA-regulated products strongly preferred
• Experience with pool or spa products preferred
• Experience with oxidation/chlorination chemistry a plus

We understand that candidates will not meet every single desired qualification. If your experience looks a little different from what we've identified and you think you can bring value to the role, we'd love to learn more about you.

At Solenis, we understand that our greatest asset is our people. That is why we offer competitive compensation, comprehensive benefits which include medical, dental, vision & 401K, and numerous opportunities for professional growth and development. So, if you are interested in working for a world-class company and enjoy solving complex challenges, whether in the lab or the field, consider joining our team.

Solenis is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Affirmative Action Employer, including Minorities / Women/ Veterans / Disabled.All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability.

Should you require assistance in applying to this opportunity, please reach out to Solenis Talent Acquisition at talentacquisition@solenis.com