R&D Director FCC

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Job Description

Are you inspired by “what’s next”? So are we.

When you join the Ketjen team, you contribute to a better tomorrow. You will play a role in powering many of the world’s largest and most critical industries, from energy and communications to transportation and electronics. We are putting innovation to work to improve people’s lives and we want YOU to be a part of it.

At Ketjen, we are seeking an R&D Director to lead our FCC team in Bayport. The R&D Director will lead a team of over 20 professionals, including technicians, chemists, product and process engineers, and scientists. This role is responsible for the team's overall outcomes in terms of new products, process and productivity improvements, and advances in customer application technology.

The Director ensures that projects meet their progress goals and, together with the team, fosters a mix of skills, expertise, and knowledge. Interfacing with a wide range of stakeholders, including commercial and business teams, the KLT, Process Technology, and customers, is a crucial part of the role. The R&D Director has a prime role in assessing the R&D portfolio and together with the marketing group assuring alignment with the strategic priorities as well as short-term needs of the business.

Ideally, the candidate will have a strong academic network and be well-versed in the science and art of heterogeneous catalysis. We are looking for a leader who can engage a diverse team and balance supporting and growing people with demanding high-quality results. A proven track record in R&D management is a pre. We are looking for a dynamic person that is willing and able to explore new approaches to our way of working and advancing the development and implementation of data analytics and AI tools.

Alongside the Analytical Director, the R&D Director is accountable for maintaining a safe and reliable laboratory operation in Bayport. This includes budget control and defining capital and maintenance needs.

As science and technology are a key competitive differentiator, active participation in external forums and frequent involvement in sales and commercial events is essential. Maintaining and developing new industry partnerships is also key, as Bayport has a long-standing R&D partnership with Petrobras and collaborates closely with customers and other third parties.

The Director is a member of the global R&D leadership team and is expected to contribute to the overall roadmap for technology development and other forms of innovation at Ketjen.

Responsibilities:

• Ensure safety, health, and environmental compliance in all R&D activities.

• Foster innovation in new products and processes, as well as in program execution and team organization.

• Select the best targets for the R&D portfolio and maintain continuous alignment with other stakeholders.

• Develop new products and processes that meet business requirements for quality and timing, including intellectual property considerations related to business strategy.

• Ensure the timely development and commercialization of new products, processes, and capacity improvements that meet overall business needs.

• Collaborate with business and manufacturing to rationalize the product portfolio/SKUs, increasing effective capacity and overall profitability.

• Oversee and strive for technology consistency during product and process development.

• Conduct proactive research and propose portfolio initiatives based on various factors.

• Make strategic impacts on the future direction of the business division and manufacturing assets.

• Build and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders at multiple levels.

• Develop personnel within the group for technical excellence, goal attainment, leadership, and succession planning.

• Manage the budget for all applicable cost centers.

• Optimize the use of expertise and resources in conjunction with program managers.

• Advance the implementation of Data Analytics tools and other forms of digitalization incl AI.

• Oversee R&T portfolio management with stakeholders.

Knowledge and Experience:

• Master's degree (WO level) with over 15 years of relevant work experience, or a PhD with at least 10 years of relevant experience.

• Demonstrated experience across a range of R&D activities, including research, development, technology, capital design, scale-up, process development, and process evaluation.

• Proven expertise in managing technical groups, including personnel development.

• Strong project management skills: formulating objectives, leading direct and indirect teams to achieve goals on time and within budget.

• Demonstrated portfolio management skills, including business interaction.

• Strategic insight: ability to use information sources effectively for execution and decision-making.

• Advisory skills: articulate and influence strategy on complex matters while communicating clearly.

• Knowledge of research methods, techniques, and guidelines in quality, safety, and environmental fields.

• Excellent communication skills: adept at consultation, active listening, and clear, well-argued responses.

• Ability to maintain professional independence, even in situations with conflicting interests.

• Presentation skills to convey approaches and findings to stakeholders and colleagues.Proven experience in customer facing activities.

• Solution-oriented thinking: creativity and initiative in solving issues throughout all phases of a program/project.

• Team focus: actively contributing to joint results, even on subjects outside direct interest.

• Experience in coaching leadership: empowering employees to operate independently within their tasks while motivating and aiding their development.

• Expertise: broad and deep understanding of complex relationships between disciplines, particularly within R&T.

• Strong academic network.

Benefits of Joining Albemarle

• Competitive compensation

• Comprehensive benefits package

• A diverse array of resources to support you professionally and personally.

We are partners to one another in pioneering new ways to be better for ourselves, our teams, and our communities. When you join Albemarle, you become our most essential element and you can anticipate competitive compensation, a comprehensive benefits package, and resources that foster your well-being and fuel your personal growth. Help us shape the future, build with purpose and grow together.