Director of Research & Develoment (R&D)

Company Description

ITW Evercoat is a global leader in the manufacture of professional collision repair and professional car care products. ITW Evercoat is a division of Illinois Tool Works Inc within the Polymers and Fluids segment.  We are known for our unique 80/20 business model and core values of Integrity, Respect, Trust, Shared Risk and Simplicity. Illinois Tool Works (ITW) is a Fortune 200 Company headquartered in Glenview, IL.   The ITW Evercoat division is based out of Cincinnati, OH.

Job Description

The Director of Research & Development is the senior technical development leader for the ITW Global Body Repair Division. They will lead a team of professionals and people leaders to build a pipeline of sustainable differentiation. The successful candidate will be able to apply out of the box thinking and resources, utilizing best in class scientific methodologies in new product design while creating ideation around improved enhancements to existing products.  This role will also oversee EHS/Regulatory/Quality efforts of the division through management of those teams. As a key member of the Leadership Team, the individual will work in concert with cross-functional leaders to identify, evaluate, develop and commercialize new products & technologies to generate organic growth.

Primary Responsibilities: (Other duties as assigned)

• Directs research and product development efforts to meet market/customer needs as established by innovations leader.  Ensures key milestones, project timelines and approved budgets are met.
• Using an “outside-in” approach, assesses emerging trends & opportunities and connects with internal and/or external resources to develop technical possibilities into business solutions.
• Evaluate alternative solutions beyond chemistry to solve customer & consumer issues
• Ensures the R&D team has a deep understanding of surface science & chemistry and how those principles can be applied to bring effective solutions to market.
• Manages product performance testing, validation & competitive comparisons.
• Ensures deep organizational understanding of packaging and package engineering, including expertise in various packaging elements and materials.
• Establishes best-in-class quality assurance protocol as well as some combination of internal/external product design & validation expertise for devices, tools, electronics, etc.
• Supervisory responsibility include leading and developing a group of professionals, specifically people leaders, chemist, quality and research professionals.
• Support divisional Strategic Planning process as needed to include competitive analysis, product testing and claim development and the evaluation and recommendation of business strategies and tactics.
• Oversee Environmental, Health and Safety (EHS) and Regulatory teams to ensure programs and processes in place to be compliant with all necessary government and regulatory bodies while ensuring a safe working environment for all employees, vendors, and visitors.

Qualifications

Education and Experience:

• BS Science, Chemistry or related field. MS/ MBA preferred. PhD in similar fields and/or advanced chemistry is a plus.
• 5 years’ experience in chemical, polymer or composite material industry preferred.
• 10 years’ professional business experience leading both technical and non-technical teams
• 5 years’ experience directly managing professional managers & individual contributors.
• Must have outstanding leadership skills, with demonstrated success in fostering a collaborative, accountable and solution-oriented environment that consistently delivers successful results to the bottom line.
• Must be innovative, flexible, curious and have exhibited visionary success by identifying and successfully translating market ideas into tangible business solutions. Must have demonstrated success in reading market conditions, understanding and prioritizing speed and urgency based on changing market conditions.
• Must have proven & successful new product launch experience, including intimate familiarity with stage gate processes, filling the innovation funnel, strong supplier relationships and effective product life-cycle planning.
• Design, testing, validation process expertise

• Proven portfolio management and project/process management experience
• Must have strong business acumen and outstanding presentation skills (to customers, industry experts, senior internal staff and media)
• Experience in the Automotive Aftermarket industry preferred
• Prior EHS/Regulatory experience preferred

Qualifications and Skills:

• Must have a solid strategic view that positions the business to win
• Re