Associate Director, R&D Technology Development

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Role Summary

The Associate Director of R&D Technology Development is responsible for guiding and advancing our global technology innovation initiatives for our Personal Care and Health & Wellness businesses, impacting more than 1 billion dollars company sales for brands like Batiste, Trojan, First Response, Vitafusion, Therabreath, etc. This role demands a future-forward global thinker and leader capable of creating and advancing transformational technologies and consumer experiences to drive incremental growth for two of our lead categories.

Below are some of the specifics for the role:

• Able to lead the integration of all C&D technology programs across our Personal Care and Health & Wellness. Demonstrates an exceptional track record of scientific achievement and visionary leadership. This includes pioneering new technologies, scientific and technical concepts, or principles that synergize with global consumer needs and corporate innovation landscapes, and they are embodied in demonstrated consumer-winning products. These endeavors have impacted and will impact substantially the company goals, driving our lead categories global growth.
• Directly lead global teams (more than 4 highly skilled scientists) and continuously lead through influence across R&D technical and business global cross-functional communities. Active coaching, mentoring, and managing senior and junior engineers for personal, professional, and technical development.
• Coordinate and leads the seamless integration with GNPI and Product Development (PD) innovation strategies plays a vital role in accelerating the advancement of the Transformational Consumer Experience (TCE) pipeline, establishing fresh milestones in innovation and market significance.
• Leading the global technology project portfolio for household products, overseeing complex, multi-disciplinary projects from inception to Proof-of-Principle and feasibility, to enhance the new product development pipeline.
• Providing technical leadership and expertise, driving robust development processes, identifying emerging trends, and implementing innovative technologies and tools to enhance project results.
• Collaborating and influencing internal global R&D teams, GNPI, marketing research, legal, and business development, with a strong emphasis on managing external partnerships using open innovation principles.
• Demonstrating excellent communication and leadership skills, business acumen, and the ability to work with cross-functional teams to deliver global initiatives, including communicating technology and innovation developments to the executive leadership team.
• Overseeing resource allocation, budget management, process improvements, and project execution.

Accountabilities and Responsibilities

This role demands a strong, creative leader with a proven track record in scientific innovation and strategic leadership, capable of steering complex, high-impact technology development projects.

• Formulate technical strategies and scientific policies in collaboration with R&D and corporate leadership.
• Oversee project management, both in-house and with external research or contract laboratories.
• Evaluate new technologies for integration into current or future products.
• Advocate for innovative approaches like open innovation and integrated design thinking.
• Present technical findings to various teams including technical, marketing, legal, and regulatory.
• Act as the main liaison for external technology development partnerships.
• Manage budgets for projects handled by external entities.
• Mentor and evaluate team members.
• Key Relationships and Engagement include but are not limited to the following stakeholders:
• Global R&D leadership team
• Senior R&D leaders
• Vice Presidents & Directors Global New Products and Innovation
• Senior Quality & Regulatory Leadership
• Various leaders within the Marketing, Legal, and Business Development Organizations

Education and Experience

The individual will be a highly seasoned professional with a minimum of eight years of experience in consumer products and technology innovation, development, and execution.

An advanced (MS or Ph.D) degree from an accredited institution in chemical, biochemical, or engineering sciences or related discipline with greater than 15 years of experience in a related technical field is highly desired.

Skills and Competencies

Strategic Thinking

• Ability to initiate and develop strategic views on technical development and advancements.
• Ability to input and contribute on innovation and consumer strategies.
• Keep a continuous and strong connection with the global consumer and markets truths.

Technical & Organizational Leadership

• Is recognized as a technical leader authority in the field of fabric and household products.
• Has good understanding of patents and regulatory requirements.
• Demonstrates strong project management skills.
• Develops research strategies for multiple complex technical programs.
• Has broad scientific/technical vision that aligns with business goals.

Global Consumer Business Understanding

• Demonstrates a record of linking technical/scientific plans to business goals.
• Communicates (story-tell) technical ideas to upper management and influences their thinking on technical issues.
• Explores new business areas based on global understanding of technological advances.

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Church & Dwight is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities.

For more information on our company, our brands and our culture visit us at http://www.churchdwight.com/