Innovation (R&D) Leader, Ag Chem - Ashland, LLC

Are you the kind of person that is always thinking, sketching, seeking, and adjusting? Who needs to understand how things work and then figure out how they can work better? Are you a passionate, tenacious, solver who loves to work with others who share your drive? Are you positive, constructive, and ingenious?

Are you always solving?

Then we’d like to meet you and bet you’d like to meet us.

Ashland has an exciting opportunity for an Innovation (R&D) Leader, Ag Chem to join our Life Sciences business.  This is a very visible, significant role within the Company and the Life Sciences function. This position will report to the SVP & CTO with a matrixed reporting relationship to the SVP & GM, Life Sciences.

The Innovation (R&D) Leader, Ag Chem will be responsible for developing, implementing and executing the Ag Chem Research & Development business strategy and leading our Ag Chem R&D organization.  This position will be accountable for ensuring the delivery of R&D activities in support of portfolio development for the Ag Chem business and will be the single point of accountability for delivery of all R&D components of the Ag Chem development portfolio.

The Innovation (R&D) Leader, Ag Chem will provide oversight of decision-making, leadership, planning and prioritization of product development for the business, including agility in effective and efficient use of resources to meet business goals. The incumbent will be responsible for building talent and capabilities across the function to ensure the current and future health of the organization, collaborating cross-functionally, and delivering a high level of performance.

This position is on site in Bridgewater, NJ.

The responsibilities of the position include, but are not limited to the following:

• Serve as a key member of both the Life Sciences and Technology leadership teams and share responsibility for division-wide business priorities.
• Work hand in hand with Ag Chem Business Leader and the broader Ag Chem commercial team to build customer intimacy, deepen market knowledge, identify new product opportunities and to increase our participation within Ag Chem.
• Oversee and supervise all R&D development and innovation efforts of the Ag Chem business.  Directing the design and development of new products and the improvement of existing Ag Chem products. 
• Provide leadership and direction to the Ag Chem R&D Team as well as supporting groups (~20 ppl). 
• Lead cross-functional teams responsible for developing specialty products leveraging broader Ashland technologies that will fill gaps in the current portfolio and satisfy needs of the marketplace.  Evaluate and ensure the organization has the competencies and structure required to implement the long-term strategy. 
• Drive accountability for the selection and development of talent and succession within the organization to ensure an effective, sustainable model and talent pipeline. 
• Responsible for all aspects of the budget for Ag Chem R&D including capital and expense planning, managing to the monthly forecast, and cost reductions (as necessary). Budget, plan and direct product development activities for both current and new products
• Work as part of a team to coordinate the integration of new acquisitions into the existing portfolio.
• Partner with teams in Manufacturing, Supply Chain and Regulatory to bring new products from development to commercialization and ensure operational excellence.
• Collaborate and develop strong relationships with human resources, finance, and other center-led functions to ensure effective partnerships and alignment.
• Drive portfolio valuation process and prioritization analyses and provide strategic recommendations and long-term portfolio context to optimize the return and risk of investments.
• Contribute to competitive portfolio analysis and creation of differentiated portfolio strategies.
• Respond to regular and ad-hoc portfolio requests from stakeholders to generate relevant inputs and ensuring thorough analysis and timely recommendations to inform effective business decisions.
• Coordinate and partner closely with functions across the organization to ensure alignment of portfolio strategic decision (e.g., costs, revenues, risk, timing)
• Forge close partnerships with other members of the Senior Leadership Team and other key stakeholders, ensuring “best practice” is incorporated into this function.
• Domestic and international travel as required to support the organization, collaborate with internal partners, and serve customers.

In order to be qualified for this role, you must possess the following:

• Ph.D. in chemistry, biology, chemical engineering, agricultural Science, food science or related scientific/technical discipline required.
• 10+ years’ experience in developing new products in the agricultural, food science, pharmaceutical, specialty chemical or other related industries.
• Demonstrated track record of successful technology development, new product / service launch and leveraging of external technology.
• Significant experience operating in a technical and business environment.
• Proven track record of organization development.  Agile change management experience.
• Ability to influence outcomes, utilizing effective communication skills across functions and on the executive team.
• Excellent leadership skills, as evidenced by a track record of hiring, retaining, developing and motivating top-tier scientific talent.
• Proven track record of driving accountability and fostering problem-solving within the team.
• History of translating a corporate mission into specific team objectives, breaking down organizational boundaries through collaboration, building strong relationships based on trust with all levels of employees.
• Ability to become a strategic partner with business leaders, BU R&D Leaders; and Central R&D Leaders; contributes not only by identifying strategic opportunities for R&D, but also demonstrates an ability to think beyond the status quo and conceptualize innovative and visionary approaches to broad business challenges.
• Ability & desire to function at both strategic and tactical levels.
• Strategic & analytical thinking skills, pleasant and engaging style, and executive presence

In more than 100 countries, the people of Ashland LLC. (NYSE: ASH) provide the specialty chemicals, technologies and insights to help customers create new and improved products for today and sustainable solutions for tomorrow. Our chemistry is at work every day in a wide variety of markets and applications, including architectural coatings, automotive, construction, energy, personal care and pharmaceutical. Visit www.ashland.com to see the innovations we offer.
 
At Ashland our vision is to be a leading, global specialty chemicals company whose inspired and engaged employees add value to all we touch. In fact our people, employees, customers and vendors define who we are. They are the driving force behind everything we do.
 
Not only do we value our customers but we value our employees, and we work to offer them a dynamic and challenging environment. We hold ourselves to high standards at Ashland, and we value integrity and honesty.
 
Ashland has a history of attracting the best people and keeping them. The reasons are simple: industry competitive salary and benefits, pay-for-performance incentive plans and a diverse work environment where employees feel challenged and valued. People come to Ashland and stay. As a growing Fortune 500 specialty chemicals company, we offer opportunities for development and advancement throughout our global organization. Our values define who we are and what we care about as a company. If you are looking for a relationship with a company instead of simply a job, this may be a great fit.

Ashland is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer Minorities/Women/Veterans/Disabled/Gender Identity/Sexual Orientation. 

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability. NOTE:  We do not accept resumes from external staffing agencies or independent recruiters for any of our openings unless we have a signed recruiting agreement in place to fill a specific position.