R&D Sr. Leader, Global Hair Care Innovation

Ashland Specialty Ingredients, GP

Are you the kind of person that is always thinking, sketching, seeking, and adjusting? Who needs to understand how things work and then figure out how they can work better? Are you a passionate, tenacious, solver who loves to work with others who share your drive? Are you positive, constructive, and ingenious?

Are you always solving?

Then we would like to meet you and bet you would like to meet us.

Ashland has an exciting opportunity for a Sr. R&D Leader, Global Hair Care to join the Personal Care business unit at our Bridgewater, NJ innovation center. This is a central, visible and a significant role within the Personal Care team and at the R&D function at Ashland. This position will report to the Sr. R&D Director, Personal Care and will be based at our Bridgewater, NJ site. 

The Sr. Leader, Global Hair Care Innovation will be responsible for developing, implementing, and executing the Hair Care R&D strategy and leading our global Hair Care R&D organization.  This position will be accountable for ensuring the delivery of R&D initiatives in support of the Hair Care division in Personal Care.

The Sr. Leader, Global Hair Care Innovation will provide oversight of decision-making, leadership, and prioritization of project development for the business segment, including agility in effective and efficient use of resources across the network to meet business goals. The individual will work closely with the global Personal Care Sales and Marketing teams to execute growth strategies and work closely with Central R&D in developing new technologies.  This position will be responsible for building talent and capabilities across the segment to ensure the current and future health of the Hair Care R&D organization, collaborating cross-functionally, and delivering a high level of performance.

The responsibilities of the position include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Serve as a key member of the Global Personal Care R&D leadership team and share responsibility for division-wide business priorities.
• Oversee and supervise all R&D development and innovation efforts within the Hair Care segment.  Direct the development of new products and the improvement of existing products. Ensure the Hair Care pipeline is healthy and robust and brings meaningful innovations to the Market.
• Provide leadership and direction to a team of about 25 researchers across the globe. 
• Lead cross-functional teams responsible for developing hair care technologies that will fill gaps in the current portfolio and satisfy the needs of the marketplace.  Ensure the team has the competencies and structure required to implement the long-term strategy. 
• Drive accountability for the selection and development of talent and succession within the organization to ensure an effective, sustainable model and talent pipeline. 
• Responsible, along with commercial management team, to identify new product opportunities in hair care business segments. 
• Partner with global teams in Manufacturing, Supply Chain and Regulatory to bring new products from development to commercialization.
• Collaborate and develop strong relationships with human resources, finance, and other center-led functions to ensure effective partnerships and alignment.
• Contribute to competitive portfolio analysis and creation of differentiated portfolio strategies
• Forge close partnerships with other members of the Personal Care Leadership Team and other key stakeholders, ensuring “best practice” is incorporated into this business unit

What This Role Is Not:

 

• Not an academic researcher - This position involves applied research with experience with direct applications to products. It is not an opportunity to pursue a research agenda
• Not a hybrid / remote based role – You will spend a majority of your time at the innovation center in Bridgewater, NJ with the R&D team with some limited travel to other sites
• Not an entry level position – we need a candidate to hit the ground running with solid experience and a background to prove it
• Not an individual contributor or someone who has no leadership experience - this position will lead a team of seasoned R&D professionals globally and must have experience to bring to the table

In order to be qualified for this role, you must possess the following:

• Ph.D. in chemistry, chemical engineering, biology, physics, or related scientific/technical discipline required.
• 10+ years of relevant experience including technology development and implementation; leading and developing teams and driving innovation in a heavily regulated industry; preferably in EPA and/or REACH governed end-markets.   
• Strong Hair Care background with experience working in the ingredients and formulation spaces.
• Demonstrated scientific excellence through publications/patents in the area of personal care.
• Significant experience operating in a global technical and business environment, preferably in nature derived polymers, surfactants, and specialty ingredients.
• Proven track record of successful new product launches. 

Skills you will bring to the table through prior practices:

• Ability to influence outcomes, utilizing effective communication skills across functions.
• Excellent leadership skills, as evidenced by a track record of hiring, retaining, developing, and motivating top-tier scientific talent.
• Proven track record of driving accountability and fostering problem-solving within the team
• Ability & desire to function at both strategic and tactical levels
• Strategic & analytical thinking skills and a pleasant and engaging style. 
• Excellent communication skills, good work ethic and positive attitude.

In more than 100 countries, the people of Ashland LLC. (NYSE: ASH) provide the specialty chemicals, technologies and insights to help customers create new and improved products for today and sustainable solutions for tomorrow. Our chemistry is at work every day in a wide variety of markets and applications, including architectural coatings, automotive, construction, energy, personal care and pharmaceutical. Visit www.ashland.com to see the innovations we offer.
 
At Ashland our vision is to be a leading, global specialty chemicals company whose inspired and engaged employees add value to all we touch. In fact our people, employees, customers and vendors define who we are. They are the driving force behind everything we do.
 
Not only do we value our customers but we value our employees, and we work to offer them a dynamic and challenging environment. We hold ourselves to high standards at Ashland, and we value integrity and honesty.
 
Ashland has a history of attracting the best people and keeping them. The reasons are simple: industry competitive salary and benefits, pay-for-performance incentive plans and a diverse work environment where employees feel challenged and valued. People come to Ashland and stay. As a growing Fortune 500 specialty chemicals company, we offer opportunities for development and advancement throughout our global organization. Our values define who we are and what we care about as a company. If you are looking for a relationship with a company instead of simply a job, this may be a great fit.

Ashland is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer Minorities/Women/Veterans/Disabled/Gender Identity/Sexual Orientation. 

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability. NOTE:  We do not accept resumes from external staffing agencies or independent recruiters for any of our openings unless we have a signed recruiting agreement in place to fill a specific position.