Asia Pacific

Chief Science & Sustainability Officer

Job Locations: Americas, China, EMEA, India, Asia Pacific

Job Category: Executive

Job Schedule: Full Time

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The Chief Science & Sustainability Officer (CSSO) is responsible for developing, leading, and promoting global research & development (R&D), innovation, and sustainability strategies for Michelman which is the cornerstone of Michelman’s commitment to Innovating a Sustainable Future. 

You will partner with the functional and executive leadership stakeholders, suppliers, customers, and industry resources, driving the concepts for and execution of R&D, sustainability, innovation, and process improvement to strengthen Michelman’s reputation in our strategic markets and continually foster Company growth.  You should be able to actively trade chemical and sustainability ideas with colleagues.

Reporting to the President & Chief Executive Officer, you will be a member of the Executive Leadership Team (ELT).

Primary Responsibilities

Research & Development

• Develop and implement Michelman’s R&D strategy in alignment with the corporate and business unit growth strategies
• Provide technical leadership to those that design, develop, and validate new products/technologies for the market
• Collaborate with all functions, to advance products from concept through development, validation, product launch and support
• Partner with business leaders, customers, and industry resources to identify product enhancement opportunities and innovative product solutions
• Work in a consultative fashion, with other business unit leaders and functional leaders, to establish go-to-market strategies and portfolio optimization initiatives
• Perform related duties as assigned or as the situation dictates

Innovation

• Partner with business leadership to identify innovation trends and business opportunities within the Michelman’s strategic markets.
• Establish an innovation function which comprises a multi-disciplinary view and which will allow for addressing all types of innovation challenges faced by Michelman businesses – from incremental to breakthrough
• Develop an innovation process by which opportunities are consistently identified, evaluated, prioritized, and resourced in a manner which will support both corporate and specific business goals
• Identify key sources of open/external innovation which match with Michelman’s needs and corporate mission and leverage those to accelerate the internal innovation pipeline

Sustainability

• Establish a strategic roadmap and implementation of Michelman’s global sustainability program
• Establish a process for prioritization and focus for the sustainability efforts of the company
• Develop, collaborate, and implement short- and long-term tactics to optimize Michelman’s Planet Positive Footprint and Michelman’s Planet Positive Products & Solutions
• Grow an organic approach to sustainability across the organization; coach leaders to lead sustainability within their areas; develop relevant corporate KPI’s for the businesses and functions
• Coordinate engagement with external stakeholders on sustainability initiatives
• Prepare Michelman’s external reporting, including our annual Sustainability Report, Board of Directors, and Leadership updates
• Develop a long-term vision for sustainability program evolution
• Educate internal and external stakeholders on the business cases and impacts of ESG (Environmental, Social, and Corporate Governance)
• Celebrate and highlight successes and positive impacts of our efforts and initiatives

People & Leadership

• Ensure global laboratory safety in each region
• Provide leadership in a fashion that supports Michelman’s values, culture, and commitment to safety, wellbeing, people, planet and profit
• Advance and drive talent management strategy for the global R&D organization
• Coach direct reports to continue their development as key business leaders in the organization
• Regularly interact with, and present to, Michelman’s Board of Directors

Other

• Willingness to travel domestically and internationally up to 30% of your time

Critical Competencies, Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Strategic and Technological Acumen

• Demonstrate success in driving breakthrough technology strategies
• Lead new product development initiatives from concept to commercialization
• Exhibit technical credibility with a problem-solving mentality

Innovating New and Different Solutions

• Anticipate future needs to further establish Michelman’s technological competitive advantage
• Provide strategic direction in order to cultivate competitive solutions for our customers
• Leverage innovation experience to challenge the status quo, deepening R&D and leadership capabilities

Courageous Leadership

• Live and demonstrate Michelman’s values and champion our commitment to diversity, equality and inclusion
• Address and resolve conflicts early, in an open and direct manner, while communicating candidly
• Model the value of being results orientated
• Serve as an advocate for associates, recognizing their strengths, and providing meaningful cross-functional responsibilities

Education and Experience

• PhD in chemistry; polymer chemistry or organic chemistry
• 20+ years of R&D experience (combination of bench/individual contributor and management roles)
• 10+ years of global leadership experience in R&D
• 5+ years leading global sustainability programs
• Experience in the specialty chemical industry, preferred
• Experience developing and implementing a global R&D vision
• Previous experience in a leadership position with a focus on sustainability within a global organization preferred
• Adaptability and flexibility to a changing environment
• Strong commercial experience and business acumen is highly preferred
• Energy and enthusiasm; willing to be held accountable and willing to hold others accountable
• Experience in attracting, retaining, and developing world class technical talent

Note: The statements above are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to the job. They are not construed to be an exhaustive list of responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel. Furthermore, they do not establish a contract for employment and are subject to change at the discretion of the employer.

About Michelman

Michelman is proud of the values-focused work environment that we have crafted. We pride ourselves in our focus on our values of integrity, respect, success, collaboration, curiosity, and giving. With our dedication to your technical and professional growth in addition to our rigorous onboarding experience, we guarantee that you will find yourself challenged in new ways. We offer an excellent salary, incentive and benefits package in a dynamic, empowered team environment.

No phone calls please. Michelman does not hire individuals who use tobacco products. All candidates will receive a drug test prior to beginning employment which will include a test for tobacco products.

For more information about Michelman, please visit https://www.michelman.com/.

It is Michelman, Inc. policy to seek and employ qualified persons in all jobs in a manner which will ensure equal employment opportunity as well as administer personnel actions in a manner as to not discriminate against any person on the basis of race, religion, national origin, age, sexual orientation or disability. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Michelman is an Equal Opportunity Employer Minorities/Females/Disabled/Veterans

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