Senior R&D Director, Americas

Position Overview

The Senior R&D Director for the Americas is responsible for leading all research and development plans and activities for the Novelis North America and South America business regions, ensuring high level of plant and customer engagement, and achievement of R&D KPIs. This role will be based in the Novelis Global Research and Technology Center located in Kennesaw, Georgia and will be responsible for driving innovation, product development and technological advancements to meet Novelis’ goals, leading a team of 90+ individuals.  The ideal candidate for this role should be a dynamic and agile leader with strong strategic thinking and ability to drive transformation and innovation at a rapid pace.

Responsibilities & Qualifications

Responsibilities:

• Develop and deliver a pipeline of sustainable and innovative product and process solutions for customers at an accelerating pace of innovation.
• Act as the regional representative of R&D in the Americas, defining the regional R&D vision, and driving alignment and collaboration with regional and global stakeholders.
• Lead and oversee all R&D initiatives for assigned regions, including science and engineering research, customer and plant support, and self-directed innovation.
• Understand customer needs (internal and external) to define and execute R&D projects in alignment with the roadmaps of the Global Technology Directors, and the strategic priorities of the Company.
• For example, work in close cooperation with the Customer Solution Centers to get a deep understanding of the customers’ future needs, and in return, fuel the Customer Solution Centers with the right solutions to differentiate against competition and to be the partner of choice of the customers.
• Coordinate R&D and technology implementation across businesses, facilitate inter- and intra-regional knowledge transfer, ensuring the development of skills and expertise.
• Drive initiatives to build a strong IP portfolio.
• Manage and allocate resources effectively and oversee lab and project, process and technology operations to ensure performance within budget and in accordance with project plans.
• Foster a culture of innovation and collaboration within assigned R&D teams, encouraging creativity and knowledge sharing.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives to enhance R&D processes, streamline workflows and optimize resource utilization.
• Develop R&D capabilities (organizationally, people, methodologies, and hardware) with focus on digitalization and build a strong R&D ecosystem, including customers.
• Provide leadership, mentorship, and guidance to R&D teams, fostering their professional development.
• Build and manage a pipeline of diverse talent, and position Novelis as an employer of choice.

 

Minimum Requirements /Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, science, or technology.
• Solid technical background and understanding of R&D.
• Ability to drive innovation and challenge status quo.
• Ability to foster a culture of trust, feedback, and engagement.
• Proven track record of successful development and industrial/commercial implementation of innovative solutions in a complex industrial environment.
• Demonstrated work experience leading and developing teams
• Experience driving transformation at a rapid pace.
• Experience engaging and influencing a variety of stakeholders, including global and regional teams and customers.
• Understanding of design and manufacturing principles of end products.
• Results orientation mindset with a focus on driving performance, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Strong leadership and skills on project management, resource allocation, managing tight deadlines, budgeting, and forecasting.

 

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in product development, technology innovation, operations within a dynamic and fast paced environment.
• 10+ work experience leading and developing teams effectively.
• Global scope project management experience in cross functional and intercontinental teams.
• Experience leading multiple functions within R&D (laboratory, research, etc.).
• Experience leading large teams (50+), leading managers of managers.
• Metallurgy and material engineering knowledge, understanding of aluminum metallurgy, and processing of FRP, material testing and investigation methods.
• Proven track record of successful innovation projects and support to plant continuous improvement projects.
• Experience executing OpEx and CapEx plans.
• Experience interacting with customer product development teams in