Director of Research and Development, Particle Engineering and Animal Nutrition

Company: Balchem
Location: New Hampton
Posted on: May 13, 2022

Job Description:

COMPANY OVERVIEW:

Balchem Corporation develops, manufactures and markets specialty ingredients that improve and enhance the health and well-being of life on the planet, providing state-of-the-art solutions and the finest quality products for a range of industries worldwide. Our corporate headquarters is located in New Hampton, New York, (Hudson Valley area) and we have a broad network of sales offices, manufacturing sites, and R&D centers, primarily located in the US and Europe. Founded in 1967, Balchem is a publicly traded company (NASDAQ - BCPC) with annual revenues over $700 million and a market cap exceeding $4.0 billion. The company consists of three business segments: Human Nutrition & Health; Animal Nutrition & Health; and Specialty Products. Balchem employs over 1,400 people worldwide who are engaged in diverse activities, committed to developing the company into global market leadership positions. To learn more about our dynamic, stable and growing company, visit www.balchem.com.

POSITION SUMMARY :

The Director of Research & Development - Particle Engineering and Animal Nutrition leads a team of 12 scientists and engineers and ensures the successful execution of a portfolio of new product development and support projects focused primarily on animal nutrition. This portfolio is composed of a wide variety of projects, from short to long term, targeted to produce innovative solutions in encapsulated materials. The Director will have responsibility for labs/pilot facilities in New Hampton, NY, Slate Hill, NY, and Bertinoro, Italy. The Director has responsibility for the Corporate Analytical Chemistry group, also located in the New Hampton office.

The Director works closely with the Animal Nutrition and Health (ANH) business segment leaders to optimize the project portfolio to ensure profitable growth. The Director is responsible for developing and executing a technology strategy that supports the business unit's broader strategy, including longer-term product roadmaps. Utilizing the resources of the team, The Director is responsible for the development of new products from bench scale through successful scale-up. The Director reports to Balchem's Chief Technology Officer and sits on the R&D Leadership Team and is a member of the leadership team for the Animal Nutrition and Health Business.

The Director is responsible for Balchem's core technology platform in encapsulated materials. In this role, the Director and their team will be owners of this technology ensuring we continually push the boundaries of possibility with this technology. The team will work with Supply Chain/Operations to improve efficiency and reduce the cost of manufacturing products with Balchem encapsulation technology.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Responsible for the safety of all R&D personnel and R&D laboratories/pilot plants in New Hampton, Slate Hill, and Bertinoro, Italy. Functions as the safety champion for the group and promotes a culture of safety. Holds self and team accountable for safe behaviors and to the goal of zero injuries.
Using the Animal Health and Nutrition business strategy as a starting point and working in coordination with the ANH Vice President, business leaders, CTO, and Supply Chain; develops and executes a technology strategy and roadmaps to support the ANH business. Director and team are expected to develop innovative ideas for new products in response to identified customer needs.
Responsible for management of the Program of projects that support the ANH business unit. Holds regular Program review meetings, reports out on the health of the portfolio, and consistently searches for new innovative ideas for new products and improved processes.
Responsible for team's execution of the projects in the ANH program - always striving to complete projects with the highest level of quality in the shortest amount of time. Works with the commercial team to prioritize projects. Keeps metrics on project execution.
Ensures the group is adequately staffed, equipped, trained, and empowered to execute this strategy. Responsible for morphing the skill set of the team to adopt to changes in strategy over time.
Develops the talent within the team, maximizing the contributions of direct reports and, through them, the entire staff. Conducts performance reviews for direct reports and sets development plans. Allows the group managers to lead and develop their staff, holds managers accountable individual development plans. Responsible staffing within the team, and that the talent pool is matched to the needs of the business.
Develops personal relationships with key customers via on-site customer visits and participation in trade shows. Travel is approximately 20%. Working with sales, ensures that the group provides on-site technical support to customers as required.
Prepares, submits and manages a departmental budget, including personnel, equipment and supplies. Submits capital request for new equipment as required. Ensures the physical facilities are aligned to the long-term strategy.
As part of the CTO's leadership team, works with other R&D leaders to manage the Balchem gated NPD process. The CTO's leadership team also works to continually improve the business processes employed to manage innovation within Balchem and the safety performance of the group.
Serves as a link between ANH and the broader R&D team, ensuring that the business unit needs are represented and that there is a portfolio of longer-term new product development projects in support of the ANH business.

REQUIREMENTS:

Ph.D. in Chemistry, Material Science, Engineering or related fields.
15+ years of experience in chemical or materials industries in a technical role. Group management experience is required. Demonstrated track record of successful new product development and people development is required.
Demonstrated track record of developing and launching new products. Demonstrated record of developing and transferring new processes into operations.
Demonstrated track record of developing talent and leaders. Well-developed mentoring and coaching skills are a must.
Strong communication skills required, includes written and verbal communications. Ability to speak to audiences both inside and outside of Balchem.
Demonstrated ability to lead a medium-size team, including developing staff, setting objectives and holding people accountable, maximizing impact of the team.
Demonstrated ability to formulate strategic plans and to work with business and commercial leaders.
Demonstrated business acumen, understanding of how to value and assess new product ideas for commercial relevance.
Must be learning agile and be able to work within a matrix organization.

#IN

Balchem is committed to a workplace culture that values and promotes diversity, inclusion, equal employment opportunities, and a work environment free of harassment and hostility.

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Keywords: Balchem, Paterson , Director of Research and Development, Particle Engineering and Animal Nutrition, Engineering , New Hampton, New Jersey