Head Research & Development

Job Purpose

• The role will be responsible for building a future-ready innovation portfolio by advancing new molecules, formulations, specialty chemicals, process technologies, biologicals, plant nutrition solutions and sustainable chemistries. The incumbent will be accountable for working closely with business and manufacturing leadership to strengthen Organisation’s global competitiveness by accelerating technology-led growth, enhancing manufacturing excellence and delivering differentiated customer-centric innovations.

Company Background

• A leading manufacturer of Agrochemicals and specialty chemicals

Key Responsibilities

R&D Strategy & Innovation

• Develop and execute the Company’s R&D and technology strategy, aligning innovation priorities with long-term business objectives.
• Drive breakthrough innovation across crop protection, specialty chemicals, sustainable chemistry, performance materials and next-generation technologies.
• Identify emerging technologies, market trends and strategic collaboration opportunities to strengthen the Company’s competitive advantage.
• Lead innovation within the Agrochemicals business by developing differentiated products through new molecules, formulation innovation, process optimization and customer-focused solutions across technical active ingredients, crop protection formulations, plant growth regulators, seed treatment technologies, process chemistry, organic synthesis, green chemistry, biologicals, biopesticides, biofertilizers, and plant nutrition.
• Spearhead application-led innovation within Specialty Chemicals business by developing customer-centric specialty chemical solutions across coatings, textiles, leather, plastics, industrial additives, polymer emulsions, water-based technologies, polyurethane dispersions, performance chemicals, and sustainable chemistries.

Technology Development & Commercialization

• Lead the complete product development lifecycle from concept through commercialization, ensuring successful scale-up and first-time-right manufacturing.
• Drive reverse engineering, process development, formulation development, technology transfer and manufacturing readiness.
• Accelerate speed-to-market while ensuring product quality, regulatory compliance and commercial viability.

Analytical Sciences, Regulatory & Intellectual Property

• Provide strategic leadership across analytical sciences, product characterization, stability studies, GLP/NABL compliance, regulatory support, intellectual property management, patent strategy, freedom-to-operate assessments and technology protection.

Manufacturing & Business Support

• Partner with Manufacturing to enhance product quality, process robustness, operational efficiency and manufacturing productivity.
• Drive process innovation through cost optimization, yield improvement, raw material optimization, and continuous process enhancement.
• Provide technical leadership and support to domestic and international manufacturing operations for troubleshooting, scale-up, and operational excellence.

Customer & Market Innovation

• Collaborate closely with Strategic Marketing, Product Management, Sales, and Business teams to align innovation with customer and market needs.
• Lead customer co-development initiatives, technical engagements, product demonstrations, and application development projects.
• Build strategic partnerships with customers, universities, research institutions, and technology partners to strengthen the external innovation ecosystem.

Leadership & Capability Building

• Build and lead a high-performing R&D organization with a strong culture of innovation, scientific excellence, and collaboration.
• Develop future technical leaders through capability building, mentoring, and succession planning.
• Foster cross-functional integration across R&D, Manufacturing, Regulatory, Marketing, Supply Chain, and Commercial functions to accelerate innovation and commercialization.

Behavioural Competencies

• Strategic & analytical thinking, commercial acumen, problem-solving and sound decision-making capability.
• Technical excellence, technology leadership, market intelligence and a commitment to continuous learning.
• Strong leadership, collaboration, stakeholder management, customer orientation, execution excellence, people development and results orientation.

Qualifications & Experience

• Ph.D. in Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Polymer Chemistry, Chemical Engineering or a related scientific discipline.
• 20–25 years of progressive R&D leadership experience within the chemical, agrochemical or specialty chemicals industry.
• Demonstrated success in leading multidisciplinary R&D organizations, driving innovation, product commercialization, process development, technology transfer, intellectual property creation and global regulatory support.

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