Director / Head of Global Research and Innovation Management (m/f/d)

Director / Head of Global Research and Innovation Management (m/f/d)

Key Responsibilities:

• Develop and implement the innovation roadmap for materials, surfaces and technologies in alignment with company strategy, market trends and regulatory requirements
• Identify, develop and validate new materials, surfaces and functionalities to strengthen competitive advantage and support sustainability targets
• Drive the continuous improvement of existing materials and manufacturing processes with regard to quality, performance and efficiency
• Ensure compliance with technical standards, guidelines and regulatory requirements (e.g., REACH)
• Lead, develop and coach the team, including resource, capacity and priority management
• Foster effective collaboration with internal stakeholders and build strong partnerships with external partners, universities and research institutes
• Represent the company in relevant technical committees, industry forums and regulatory working groups
• Continuously improve innovation processes and align laboratory and testing capabilities with strategic business needs
• Support product development, production and quality functions through technical expertise, testing and material evaluation
• Build and maintain a strong innovation ecosystem by leveraging technology scouting, market intelligence and strategic partnerships

Your profile:

• Master's degree or PhD in Materials Science, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Polymer Engineering or a related field
• Several years of experience in Research & Development, Innovation Management or Material Development within an industrial environment
• Proven leadership experience with the ability to build, motivate and develop high-performing teams
• Strong expertise in materials, surface technologies and manufacturing processes
• Solid knowledge of relevant regulatory requirements and industry standards (e.g., REACH)
• Experience in managing innovation projects from concept through implementation
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with a hands‑on and solution-oriented mindset
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills across international and cross-functional environments
• Experience collaborating with external partners, universities, research institutes and industry networks
• Fluent in English; additional language skills are considered an advantage