GLOBAL R&D DIRECTOR - High Performance Metals (OH or MA)

Global R&D Director - High Performance Metals

Technology and business leadership

Location: Ohio or Massachusetts

 

My client, a $1.5B international materials company, has an opening for an accomplished individual who will direct all global research and development activities for a $400M business group. This group is a worldwide supplier of customized solutions for many industries requiring high performance, engineered refractory metals and fabrications. The business is also a major contributor to the growth of the company in terms of value added products.

 

As R&D Director, you will manage and lead an elite global staff of 32 metallurgists and scientists. This is a highly strategic role, moving technology from R&D into profitable business through the implementation and use of portfolio management, project management, and global team leadership. 

 

You will be a key member of the business group’s top management team, and leader of the company’s future innovation. This role will require you to assess R&D opportunities, and then prioritize and plan them in line with the most critical business goals. Currently, the company has global leadership in a variety of industries which includes electronic, semiconductor, chemical, energy, aerospace, medical, automotive and superalloy production. In order to expand the current business and to effectively lead the development of applications and products for new and emerging markets, you will collaborate with both Marketing personnel as well as existing and prospective customers.  A current area of focus is thin film applications for markets such as photovoltaic and FPD.  Strategies to develop the business could involve joint development programs, joint development with customers, programs with academic institutions, government agencies, etc. You will also make formal decisions as to whether to move forward with patent submissions in order to protect the company’s IP.

 

This is a highly challenging and complex role, partly due to the global locations of the customer base (high concentration in Asia), the R&D team members (North America and Europe) and the plants which support production of the materials (North America, Europe and Asia).  Travel requirements should be approximately 30%.

 

Requirements

 

The R&D Director is expected to bring strengths in three core dimensions – technical knowledge, business acumen, and managerial skills.

 

You should have a well developed knowledge of metallurgy and materials science combined with an advanced technical degree – PhD preferred.  A background in refractory metals is highly desirable but not mandatory. In lieu of this, my client will consider other advanced materials groups used in equally high performance/demanding applications and core markets.  

 

Your experience to date should include a minimum of 15 years of related industrial experience and include all phases of managing R&D from concept to pilot to full scale production. You must have demonstrated technical accomplishments, including a combination of commercializing products and research patents.  It is essential that you have a strong appreciation of how R&D ties into the business and its goals. 

 

You will need to assimilate diverse and contradictory perspectives, and direct research and related activities to the benefit of the business group. You must also be able to develop and implement a strong patent estate to protect the company’s IP.

 

It is essential that you have a proven track record of team leadership.  This includes the ability to assess staff strengths and weaknesses and mentor/motivate those individuals within the R&D organization. It is strongly preferred that you have prior experience of successfully managing a team that has worked concurrently in both domestic and international locations.  You must be able to implement principles within R&D activities that minimize downstream production inefficiencies. 

 

You need to be fully conversant with the tools of a ‘stage gate’ system to manage, direct and control product-innovation efforts.  As you will be directing the overall strategic roadmap for the company’s technology, it is important that you have worked within a ‘market pull’ culture relative to new product development, rather than a ‘tech push’ culture.

 

As you will be required to determine all global R&D spending, you must have prior experience of preparing and being held accountable for a comprehensive R&D budget.

 

You need to have experience of leveraging academic, government, industry and strategic partnerships. 

 

You must have outstanding organizational, communication and interpersonal skills, initiative, creativity, and the ability to influence others through demonstrated expertise. You also need to be an achievement oriented team player who will demand the same of your employees.  

 

You must be able to energize internal and external relations.  This is a highly visible position and will require successful interaction with the Board of Directors, strategic partners, customers, management and employees of the company.

 

How to apply

 

My client offers highly competitive compensation and a comprehensive range of benefits.  This position offers a base salary, generous incentive bonus and full relocation expenses.  Please email your resume to KLS Services, LLC, kts28@aol.com .  Cover letters should state why you are interested in this position and emphasize relevant experience.  Please also indicate your desired compensation range.