New Product Development Program Director

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We work together to transform essential resources into critical ingredients for mobility, energy, connectivity and health.

Join our values-led organization committed to building a more resilient world with people and planet in mind. Our core values are the foundation that make us successful for ourselves, our customers and the planet.

Job Description

Albemarle Corporation is currently seeking a New Product Development Program Director to lead innovation programs in the Research and Technology team within the Specialties Global Business Unit (GBU).

The New Product Development (NPD) Program Director leads a team of chemists, engineers, and material scientists to deliver product innovation to enable the Specialties GBU to achieve transformational business growth.

In this role, you will collaborate heavily with NPD, New Business Development (NBD), Applications and Customer Technical Service (ACTS) and Marketing team members, to set innovation strategy for several current and new growth programs.

This is a fantastic growth opportunity for an individual passionate about innovation, collaboration as well as leading and growing people.

This role provides an opportunity to identify and prioritize new project ideas, set strategy for technical product development, intellectual property and external collaborations to commercialize products in new and growing markets and application areas.

This is a high impact and high visibility position directly aligned with our GBU growth strategy. The position will be based at our Process Development Center in Baton Rouge, Louisiana and will report to the Senior Director, New Product Development in the Specialties GBU.

Key Responsibilities :

• Set a holistic innovation strategy for assigned programs or program platform in collaboration with NBD, ACTS, Marketing and Business teams, identifying new growth areas and championing current programs to completion.
• Provide technical leadership and drive technical delivery on innovation programs with a sense of urgency to enable timely product commercialization using Project Management methodologies.
• Determine resourcing needs for programs identifying critical skill sets, equipment and technology capabilities and contribute to the overall NPD recruitment efforts, capital planning and external collaborations.
• Build external partnerships with academia, national labs and industry to accelerate new material and process developments to commercialization.
• Possess a long-term innovation mindset to develop multi-generation product plans (MGPP) for programs to enable continued innovation leadership in the industry.
• Drive the overall Intellectual Property (IP) strategy for the programs and ensure timely IP filings in line with technical deliverables and competitive landscape to ensure long term business viability.
• Ensure clear communication of results in different settings, including internal stakeholder presentations, external collaborations, customer engagements, and technical conferences.
• Collaborate with Product Stewards and the Legal team to ensure that our products exceed regulatory requirements, and we are industry leaders in product safety and sustainability.
• Partner with internal and external manufacturing and supply chain teams to enable product manufacturing and commercialization.
• Be a thought leader on lab safety and lead by example, in alignment with site and company HSE policies.

Required Experience :

• Proven track record of leading innovation programs in the materials industry.
• More than 7 years of experience in new product development and innovation.
• At least 2 years of experience leading diverse teams of scientists and engineers, attracting, recruiting and retaining talent.
• Experience collaborating with cross-functional teams and external partners to help set innovation strategy.
• Proven experience leading by influence.
• Proven track record and passion for commercializing products and financial delivery from new products.
• Passionate communicator that inspires others, conveying clarity on programs to teammates and stakeholders alike.
• At least 2 years of experience managing laboratories and ensuring compliance with EHS policies and procedures.
• BS Degree in Chemistry, Engineering, or a related discipline.

Preferred Experience :

• Experience leading innovation programs from conception to commercialization and demonstrated financial impact to the corporation.
• Track record of nurturing talent and developing people.
• Proven ability to develop and apply deep technical knowledge in wide ranging chemistries and application areas.
• Ability to drive organizational change.
• Demonstrated ability to develop New Product Introduction process and provide continuous improvement.
• Out of the box thinking and transformational innovation mindset.
• Experience negotiating intellectual property terms and external research and development contracts.
• Ph.D. in Chemistry, Engineering, or a related discipline.

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.

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