Senior TS&D Leader

At Dow, we believe in putting people first and we’re passionate about delivering integrity, respect and safety to our customers, our employees and the planet.  

Our people are at the heart of our solutions. They reflect the communities we live in and the world where we do business. Their diversity is our strength. We’re a community of relentless problem solvers that offers the daily opportunity to contribute with your perspective, transform industries and shape the future. Our purpose is simple - to deliver a sustainable future for the world through science and collaboration. If you’re looking for a challenge and meaningful role, you’re in the right place. 

About you and this role

Dow Plastics Additives (DPA) has an exciting opportunity for a Senior TS&D Leader of a global team based in either Lauterbourg, France (preferred location) or Seneffe, Belgium.

This Senior TS&D Leader will have responsibility for of our EMEAI and APAC customer-focused innovation portfolio, working in close partnership with DPA regional leadership teams and commercial and marketing partners, and lead an integrated TS&D organization within two regional labs (Lauterbourg and Shanghai). 

Leadership of the team and labs involves diverse product technologies (acrylics-based chemistry, butadiene-based chemistry, additives, etc.) and diverse experimental lab capabilities (powder blending, plastics compounding, extrusion, injection molding, and material parts application testing).  The individual will be central to advancing our refreshed ‘Seek Targeted Growth’ business strategy in EMEAI and APAC, a core aspect of which will be to grow the portfolio of additives for epoxy and MMA thermoset applications, including lab testing capability development and building customer relationships.

The individual will be responsible for leading people, technology, and business delivery to support customers to advance growth and drive EBIT profitability improvement projects for a diverse plastics additives portfolio. The successful candidate will have opportunities to interface with senior leadership including the business and R&D/TS&D leadership team, the technology leadership group, and the value center management team. The leader will be a member of the Global DPA R&D/TS&D Leadership team and will have people, technical, and business leadership accountability for their team.

This role offers the opportunity to lead change and drive both technology and commercial impact to advance professional leadership growth. The ideal candidate will have strong personal initiative, a passion for developing people and teams, excellent communication with customers and leadership prioritization skills, and a demonstrated market-driven innovation growth mindset. Safety, as well as inclusion and diversity, are critical to the team’s success, and the leader’s unique background, experiences, and perspectives will be key to drive employee development, innovation, customer excellence, and profitable business growth.

Dow Plastics Additives (DPA) is roughly a $450 MM business with a culture of entrepreneurial leadership. Roughly half of our Innovation Revenue is attributed to sales in EMEAI and APAC for which this Senior TS&D Leader will have shared accountability. We are one of the largest global producers of acrylic processing additives to the compounded plastics value chain. A large portion of the global business is aligned to acrylic processing aids and impact modifiers for rigid polyvinylchloride for building and construction (B&C) applications. Additional market applications include toughening additives for engineering plastics such as polycarbonate and blends for injection molding of durable goods, electronics, automotive, and transportation components (DE&T).

Responsibilities

People Leadership

• Provide supervision and leadership to a group of approximately 10 TS&D Scientists, Engineers, and Technologists in Lauterbourg and Shanghai.
• Lead people responsibilities including performance evaluation & coaching, employee development and engagement, pay planning, succession planning, team building, and reward and recognition for a team with a broad range of experience and responsibilities.
• Champion a safety-first culture by driving EHS best practices throughout the organization and facility, and creating initiatives that reinforce best safety practices, habits, and behaviors.
• Identify talent, accountable for attraction and retention, and cultivate a high performing and inclusive team focused on innovation and delivery against research goals and customer delivery.
• Consistently demonstrate the highest standards of ethics and inclusive leadership.

Technical Leadership

• Lead and implement the APAC and EMEAI geographic organizational and innovati