Director RD&E

The RD&E Director Core Water Technologies leads a team of researchers focused on developing differentiated water treatment chemistries systems and programs used across the global water sector. This role sets the strategic technical direction for core product platforms builds a robust innovation pipeline and ensures technologies translate into scalable and cost-effective commercial offerings that deliver outsized value to our customers.

The role is based at the Naperville IL Campus.

The Director operates both strategically and tactically partnering closely with Divisional RD&E Marketing Regulatory Supply Chain and key customers to identify unmet needs validate total value delivered protect intellectual property and accelerate commercialization. The role is accountable for talent development portfolio governance and delivering measurable business impact through technology deployment. This position reports to the VP Industrial Anchors.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and lead the multi-year technology strategy and innovation roadmap for core water treatment platforms (e.g. scale & corrosion control microbiological control liquid/solid separations and sensing/automation-enabled programs)
• Collaborate with divisional and international RD&E leaders to identify industry/region-specific customer needs and coordinate with them on project execution
• Lead a team of researchers and scientists; set clear objectives develop capabilities and build succession plans while fostering a strong safety innovation and quality culture
• Partner cross-functionally with Marketing Sales Regulatory and Supply Chain to ensure customer value regulatory compliance manufacturability and competitive cost position
• Drive intellectual property strategy and maintain freedom-to-operate awareness in partnership with Legal
• Lead portfolio governance by prioritizing projects allocating resources managing budgets and tracking value delivery

Requirements

• Bachelors degree required in Chemistry Chemical Engineering Materials Science Environmental Engineering Microbiology or related discipline; masters or PhD preferred
• 10 years of progressive experience in product development and/or applied research including formulation and performance evaluation
• 5 years of people leadership experience managing scientists/researchers with demonstrated ability to recruit develop and retain top technical talent
• Proven track record of delivering innovations to market including translating research into scalable manufacturing and field-deployable solutions
• Experience partnering cross-functionally and influencing senior stakeholders; strong written and verbal communication skills for technical and non-technical audiences
• Demonstrated ability to build and execute multi-year technology roadmaps and manage a balanced portfolio under resource constraints

Ability to travel domestically and internationally (up to 20%)

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