Director, R&D Platforms

Opportunity Statement

Reporting to the Vice President, Consumer Solutions R&D, the Director will oversee the R&D Platforms organization, comprising both Competency Platforms and Enabling Platforms. Competency Platforms are aligned with strategic product categories, including:

• Surfactants & Emulsifiers

• Natural Oils & Sensory Derivatives

• Acne Treatments & Skin Care Actives

• Functional Cosmetic Ingredients

• Food Ingredients and Release Agents

The Director will play an active leadership role in the creation of technology pipelines, development and launch of new products, and advancement of in-market applications. In collaboration with the Technical Marketing and Global R&D Deployment teams, this role will ensure the design and delivery of compelling product benefits, claims, and technical content that elevate Vantage’s position as a trusted innovation partner. The Enabling Platforms—Complex Fluids & Surfaces and Process Design & Scale-Up—provide critical scientific and technical capabilities across the enterprise, with expertise in advanced measurement science, mechanistic understanding, and process optimization.

Position Summary

Vantage Specialty Chemicals is seeking a visionary and results-driven Director, R&D Platforms to lead science-based innovation across its Vantage Consumer Solutions (VCS) business units. This high-impact role will be instrumental in shaping and executing R&D strategies that drive technical excellence and deliver differentiated product solutions.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• List the key responsibilities for this role.

• Develop and lead the strategic vision for R&D Platforms, aligning scientific direction with business objectives.

• Serve as a trusted scientific and strategic advisor to senior R&D leadership.

• Drive cross-functional collaboration and external engagement with academic partners, industry consortia, and regulatory bodies.

• Champion organizational transformation through strategic initiatives and capability development.

• Partner with Marketing to design technology pipelines that meet evolving market needs.

• Lead intellectual property strategy to ensure strong protection of proprietary technologies.

• Represent the organization in critical engagements with senior leaders, technical experts, and external stakeholders.

• Manage resource allocation, portfolio planning, and risk assessment within R&D programs.

• Provide scientific leadership on complex, multidisciplinary initiatives spanning global functions.

• Establish and promote R&D standards, best practices, and scientific rigor.

• Mentor and develop senior scientific talent to build future leadership capacity.

• Operate independently, guided by long-term organizational and scientific objectives.

Education & Experience

• Education: Ph.D. in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Polymer Science, or a related field.

• Experience: Minimum of 12 years of relevant industrial experience in R&D and product development.

Knowledge, Skills, & Talents

• Proven track record in consumer-facing (B2C) innovation and technology deployment.

• Demonstrated impact through strategic leadership, scientific innovation, and cross-functional execution.

• Excellent communication, influencing, and decision-making skills with the ability to lead at the executive level.

• Travel Requirement: 20%

Pay and Benefits

The estimated base pay range for this position is:  $170,000 - $250,000 annually.  Actual pay will be determined based on education, certifications, experience, qualifications, skills and geographic location.  This position is eligible to participate in a short-term incentive program.

Vantage offers a comprehensive benefits package to eligible employees, including:

• Medical, HSA, dental, vision

• FSA (limited purpose, dependent care, and commuter/parking)

• Life and AD&D insurance

• Accident, hospital indemnity and critical illness insurance

• Short- and long-term disability

• EAP, identity theft protection

• Paid time off, Parental Leave

• 401(k) with company match

Equal Employment Opportunity

Vantage is an equal opportunity employer.  Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status or any other protected category. 

About Vantage

Vantage provides natural solutions to our customers’ technical performance and marketing needs through a unique combination of chemistry, application expertise and service. Underpinned by our broad portfolio of formulations, ingredients and actives that are built on a backbone of sustainable oils, fats and their derivatives, Vantage targets selected markets and applications including personal care, food, surface treatment, agriculture, pharma, and consumer and industrial performance. Vantage is headquartered in Deerfield, IL., operates in 11 countries worldwide and employs more than 1,000 talented professionals focused on delivering exceptional customer experiences with every interaction.

We are a dynamic people-centered organization where you’ll be part of a collaborative global team. Embracing our cultural diversity, we learn from each other to constantly improve, adapt and iterate. We value the voices and talents of our colleagues, empowering them to drive their unique ideas to completion. We’re convinced that exceptionally motivated employees produce outstanding results and we celebrate them by fostering a culture of recognition, development, learning, excellence and shared achievement. Most importantly, we know you’re going to like it here.  For more information visit: vantagegrp.com or LinkedIn/vantage.