Location
Kenosha, WI | United States
Job description
The Director of Research and Development is responsible for overseeing and coordinating innovation projects, ensuring effective resource allocation, and upholding a structured and goal-oriented approach to research and development initiatives. This leadership position requires seamless collaboration with cross-functional teams, including innovation, program management, operations, and procurement. In addition to technical expertise and strategic vision, the position requires strong project management and organizational skills.
JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Lead the research and development team.
- Identify emerging technologies and research areas to stay ahead of industry developments.
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including marketing, sales, and regulatory affairs, to align product development with market needs and regulatory requirements.
- Establish and nurture collaborative relationships with external research institutions, industry partners, and vendors to leverage external expertise and resources.
- Keep current on competitors’ products and manage the competitive products assessment process.
- Oversee the development and management of the R&D project portfolio, ensuring alignment with business objectives and timely completion of milestones.
- Identify and assess potential risks associated with R&D projects and implement strategies to mitigate these risks.
- Implement and champion continuous improvement initiatives to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of R&D processes.
- Engage with customers, internal stakeholders, and external partners to gather feedback, understand needs, and incorporate insights into product development strategies.
- Collaborate with marketing and sales teams to provide technical support during the launch of new products, ensuring a successful market introduction.
- Implement training programs to enhance the skills and knowledge of R&D personnel, fostering a culture of continuous learning and development.
- Develop and manage the R&D budget, ensuring optimal resource allocation for research projects.
- Ensure compliance with environmental, health, and safety regulations in all R&D activities, promoting a safe and sustainable work environment.
- Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:
- Ability to effectively manage multiple projects, ensuring alignment with organizational objectives and timelines.
- Advanced skills in Microsoft Office tools and Outlook for efficient communication, data analysis, and project management.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, tailoring communication to suit diverse audiences within the organization.
- Self-starter mentality, capable of working autonomously and taking initiative in identifying and addressing challenges.
- Ability to make well-informed and timely decisions, even in high-pressure and fast-paced environments.
- Strong analytical skills to interpret data, trends, and research findings, guiding informed decision-making.
- Problem-solving strategies to overcome obstacles and optimize project outcomes.
- Effective time management skills to meet project deadlines and organizational goals.
- Adeptness in managing and leading teams, fostering a collaborative and high-performance work environment.
- Strategic thinking to aligning research and development efforts with long-term organizational goals.
- Effective negotiation skills in dealings with internal and external stakeholders.
EDUCATION: Bachelor’s Degree in chemistry, biology, or chemical engineer required or equivalent experience
EXPERIENCE:
- At least 5 years research and development experience.
- At least 1 year of experience in leading and managing teams.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
- Extended periods of sitting up to 50% of the time.
- Constantly operating computers and office equipment.
- Occasional lifting of 25 pounds.
WORK LOCATION: Gurnee, Illinois
EMPLOYMENT STATUS: Full time
TRAVEL required: 10%
Job tags
Salary
