Our client is a globally established specialty chemicals and industrial manufacturing organization with a strong reputation for innovation, technical excellence, and customer partnership. Operating across international markets with a long-standing history of growth and stability, the company serves a diverse customer base in highly specialized industrial and packaging applications. The organization is recognized for its commitment to product quality, sustainability-focused innovation, and long-term investment in research and development.

Our client is seeking a senior executive to lead Research & Development and Product Strategy for its North American operations. Reporting directly to executive leadership, this role will oversee R&D, product management, regulatory, and quality functions while shaping the organization’s innovation roadmap and product portfolio strategy. The successful candidate will play a critical role in advancing new product development, strengthening cross-functional alignment, and driving disciplined commercialization efforts in support of continued business growth.

The ideal candidate is a strategic and technically credible leader with deep experience in formulation-driven manufacturing environments such as printing inks, coatings, specialty chemicals, or related industries. This individual will bring a proven ability to lead high-performing technical and commercial teams, manage complex product development initiatives, and translate market needs into actionable innovation strategies. Experience operating within a global or matrixed organization and collaborating across international teams is highly valued.

Key Responsibilities:

Lead the company’s R&D, product management, regulatory, and quality functions to support strategic growth objectives
Develop and execute innovation and product portfolio strategies aligned with market trends, customer needs, and commercial priorities
Drive end-to-end product development and commercialization initiatives, from concept through launch and lifecycle management
Build and mentor high-performing technical and cross-functional teams while fostering a culture of innovation and continuous improvement
Strengthen collaboration between R&D, operations, sales, and executive leadership to improve execution, scalability, and speed-to-market
Oversee product roadmap planning, pipeline governance, and new product introduction processes across multiple market segments
Represent the organization in strategic customer engagements, technical discussions, and key industry relationships
Manage departmental budgets, resource allocation, and investment priorities to support long-term business objectives

Key Qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry, Engineering, Science, or a related technical discipline; advanced degree preferred
10+ years of progressive leadership experience in R&D, product development, and product strategy within specialty chemicals or related industries
Demonstrated success leading product innovation, commercialization, and cross-functional technical organizations
Strong background in formulation-based manufacturing environments such as printing inks, coatings, adhesives, or specialty materials
Experience managing technical teams, complex development portfolios, and strategic product initiatives in a growth-oriented environment
Knowledge of regulatory, quality, and commercialization processes within industrial manufacturing settings
Excellent executive communication and stakeholder management skills, including experience working with customers, suppliers, and international business partners

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