Oil-Dri Corporation of America

حول Oil-Dri Corporation of America

Oil-Dri Corporation of America is a leading manufacturer and supplier of specialty sorbent products for consumer and business-to-business markets that has been voted as a Top 100 workplaces in the Chicago Tribune. Oil-Dri’s products are sold in the pet care, animal health, fluids purification, agricultural, sports field, industrial and automotive markets. Oil-Dri controls millions of tons of specialty mineral reserves, including calcium bentonite, attapulgite, and diatomaceous shale. The company’s mines and manufacturing facilities are located in Georgia, Mississippi, Illinois, and California. Oil-Dri is a family-controlled and operated organization that emphasizes honesty, integrity, and accountability. The company is dedicated to fulfilling its mission to Create Value From Sorbent Minerals. Job Overview The Vice President of Research and Development will lead the planning, execution and completion of projects that will drive growth through a more consistent stream of innovative and value-added products or applications that utilize Oil-Dri’s non-renewable resources and other components. They will also collaborate with other cross-functional teams to ensure that research projects align with Oil-Dri’s strategic goals. It will have a critical role in driving innovation, ensuring that the company remains competitive in all the industries we serve, and delivering value through research and development efforts. They will provide technical support for existing businesses and operations and will manage the day-to-day activities of the entire facility. Responsibilities Support Oil-Dri Corporation Divisions for new product research and current technical service support needs across all products and applications. Drive ideation and innovation, guide IC exploratory research, and ensure rigorous technical feasibility analysis to establish and maintain a constant flow of new product opportunities from our pipeline. Ensure alignment and compliance to ODC’s PMR process and the effective implementation of the Stage Gate process. Conduct periodic Blue Ocean Strategy meetings with the various business functions to identify and flesh out new innovations/products that will be necessary to address the current market needs and the future growth of the company. Leverage the group’s unique scientific capabilities, efficiently allocate resources, and track progress to achieve IC goals in a highly dynamic and focused work environment. Mentor and engage in professional development of the IC staff to ensure long-term technical competency. Support the transfer of technology into ODC’s manufacturing plants to ensure successful scale-up and to enhance long-term operational excellence. Support other department activities including facility maintenance, budgeting, and personnel oversight. Foster a culture of creativity, collaboration and continuous learning. Other duties as assigned. Qualifications Education: Ph.D. Scientist with 10+ more years of experience in senior and management roles. Proven experience in developing and leading a high-performing team including coordinating projects and priorities and supporting professional development. Has successfully led large-scale platform initiatives, with oversight on cross-divisional budgets to ensure alignment with strategic goals and efficient resource allocation. Experience in strategic planning and budget management. Skills & Abilities: Leadership: Strong leadership skills with the ability to manage and inspire R&D teams to deliver high-quality research and innovation. Technical Expertise: Deep understanding of the scientific or technical field related to Oil-Dri’s products. Project Management: Proficiency in managing large-scale research projects, including budgeting, resource allocation, and timeline management. Problem-Solving: Ability to solve complex scientific or technical problems through innovative thinking and creative solutions. Communication: Excellent communication skills for presenting research findings with the ability to engage a range of audiences and stakeholders. Manage relationships with external partners, including universities, research institutions, and suppliers, to foster collaboration and access new technologies or knowledge. Lead, mentor, and support the R&D team, promoting a culture of innovation, collaboration, and high performance. Conduct performance evaluations, provide feedback, and identify opportunities for professional development. Encourage continuous learning and stay updated with the latest scientific and technological advancements to ensure the team operates at the cutting edge of the industry. Compensation & Benefits Compensation Salary Range: $187,559 - $280,583 Benefits 401(k) with 6% match (Fully Vested at 2 Years) Annual Incentive Bonus Annual Merit increase opportunity Employee Stock Purchase Plan 11 Corporate Holidays Paid Parental Leave Pre-Tax Transit Fitness & Gym Reimbursement Employer Contribution - Health, Dental, Vision Oil-Dri is committed to providing equal opportunity for all teammates and qualified candidates without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sex, age, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, marital status, mental or physical disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. Accordingly, all employment decisions and personnel actions or programs such as hiring, promotion, discipline, compensation, benefits, transfers, reductions in workforce, and training, etc. will be consistent with the principle of equal employment opportunity.