Senior Director - Cluster Lead / Platform Delivery Lead - Science, Innovation & Labs (f/m/d)

 

Location: Delft, Netherlands other global hubs possible

 

Role Overview:

At dsm-firmenich, we combine cutting-edge science with passion for innovation to create solutions that nourish, protect, and improve life.

We are seeking a visionary Senior Director – Cluster Lead / Platform Delivery Lead to drive the digital transformation of our Science, Innovation & Labs organization. This role offers the unique opportunity to build capabilities from the ground up, lead leaders, shape supplier strategies, and steer a portfolio of >€25M annual value creation. Based in Delft (or other global hubs), you’ll be at the heart of advancing digital solutions for R&D and laboratory environments worldwide.

 

 

Your Key Responsibilities

As Cluster Lead (People & Business Leadership):

• Lead, inspire, and develop a highly engaged cluster of 30+ internal employees and 50+ external colleagues, fostering a culture of excellence, collaboration, and continuous learning.
• Provide direction and thought leadership: set clear goals, align with business ambitions, and shape future portfolio strategy.
• Act as career manager for chapter members, coaching and mentoring Chapter Leads to build next-generation digital leaders.
• Own strategic supplier management across D&T: secure capability and capacity agreements, ensure clear outcomes, and drive performance against value-based contracts.
• Lead strategic assignments such as transitions, acquisitions, transformations, or innovations, ensuring successful execution and stakeholder alignment.
• Build and manage the cluster budget in close collaboration with the Unit Head, ensuring transparency and value delivery.

As Platform Delivery Lead (Science, Innovation & Labs):

• Shape and execute the digital roadmap for R&D and laboratory platforms, ensuring high-quality, fit-for-purpose solutions.
• Oversee delivery of a >€25M annual portfolio, ensuring financial transparency, accountability, and business value creation.
• Secure resourcing and capabilities for product squads, balancing internal talent development with external expertise.
• Drive the adoption of agile, product-centric ways of working to ensure smooth transition into operations and sustainable support.
• Safeguard continuity of critical platforms to protect innovation productivity and R&D output.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to senior business stakeholders, translating strategy into actionable digital outcomes.

Your Daily Impact

• In this role, no two days are the same. You may:
• Update the Platform Lead on delivery performance and portfolio progress.
• Run a weekly sync with your cluster team to drive engagement and capability.
• Align with Product Managers to resolve dependencies and advance the roadmap.
• Lead a steering committee with key technology partners, challenging them to innovate and deliver value.
• Brainstorm with architects and squads on next-generation solutions for our scientists and labs.

 

We offer:

•   A rich history and a promising future of bold scientific innovation and passionate creation with our customers.
• A space to grow by encouraging and supporting curiosity and an open mindset.
• The opportunity to work for a company where sustainability is much more than a claim and is core to our strategy and purpose
• A flexible work environment that empowers people to take accountability for their work and own the outcome
• A firm belief that working together with our customers is the key to achieving great things;
• An eagerness to be one team and learn from each other to bring progress to life and create a better future

 

You bring:

•  Master’s Degree in Life Sciences, Engineering, Computer Science, Laboratory Sciences, or other scientific or technical degrees
• +/- 15 years of relevant experience in the science, innovation and labs domain
• Conceptual understanding of scientific, digital, and lab domains (including research, application, QC, and dry labs), FAIR scientific data management and custom-built cutting-edge scientific software development.
• Capability development for Product leadership - Experience in leading & developing leaders in business analysis, solution design and technical leadership, service delivery, project/program management, software quality & automation, and M&A strategy & transaction.
• Strategic thinking – experience defining roadmaps, p