Director Research and Development
POSITION SUMMARY:
The Director Research & Product Development will be responsible for leading the research department to innovate and develop new products that become industry standards. This position is responsible for research, identification, analysis, and development of new formulations and products. The Director initiates the development process and tracks projects in order to create the highest quality products while meeting timelines. This position works closely with marketing, manufacturing, and quality teams to provide support to customers on technical and quality related issues. This is a key leadership role at the heart of the company’s operations with direct impact to the present and future.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Innovate and ideate.
- Conduct research to develop new products, manufacturing procedures and specifications for new products.
- Conduct specific research to comply with client’s general requirements and on a project basis as required.
- Skilled contributor demonstrating collaboration, delivering sustained important contributions that impact new or improved products.
- Manages and delivers formulations from concept through scale up to meet customer and consumer needs.
- Assist to review relevant GMP procedures.
- Monitor, support and oversee subordinates’ job duties
- Document, summarize, review, and interpret data. Provide timely, robust, and reliable presentations/output so data can be used with confidence by the project team.
- Research competitive marketplace for new products and trends.
- Research consumer use monitor social listening and purchasing habits of products including analysis of merchandising techniques, sales practices, consumer usage habits, consumer needs, and past and future market trends.
- Purchase and evaluate competitive products, prepare written assessments, inclusive of preparing a quarterly competitive review to be disseminated and participate in presenting data.
- Review magazines and social media/websites (blogger/vlogger reviews etc.) to keep abreast of competitive product launches and new technologies.
- Work with Marketing, Sales, Operations, accounting, and other departments and R&D in the development process.
- Support marketing and quality assurance/control team in dealing with technical and quality issues raised by customers
- Provide presentation to customers and travel with sales to meet customers as required
- Demonstrate competency in standard operating procedures and methodologies.
- Actively seek out and address opportunities to build and improve capabilities/systems including safety. Identify where help is required with system deficiencies.
- Work on special projects as required.
- Other duties as defined by management.
REQUIRMENTS:
- 15 years related experience in research and product development within personal care, cosmetics, and toiletries industries. Alternatively, food, pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, biopharmaceutical, and related industries.
- Ph.D. Degree in biology, biochemistry, biotechnology or a related field.
- Strong developer of people and cultivator of engagement and teamwork.
- Strong influencing skills with the courage to confidently express an independent point of view.
- Ability to keep pace in a fast moving and dynamic business environment.
- An excellent listener and communicator with an approachable style.
- Outstanding leadership and management skills.
- Excellent judgment in people, selection, and leadership.
- Excellent organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple projects.
- Strong analysis and data analytic skills – ability to do and to direct others
- Proven creative and brain-storming skills – to inspire others and develop new immersive experiences that drive results.
- Results-driven.
- Passion for learning and teaching.