Director / Head of Global Research and Innovation Management

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