R&D Director

Element Materials Technology; Old Woking; On-site; GBP 100,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading materials technology company in the UK is seeking an experienced R&D Director to drive innovation and lead diverse teams. The ideal candidate will have a strong technical background in HVAC and at least 7-10 years of relevant R&D experience. You will be responsible for overseeing product development and ensuring the execution of the global R&D strategy. This position offers competitive compensation, a performance-related bonus scheme, and various benefits including private medical insurance and a matched pension scheme.

Benefits

Performance-related bonus scheme

Matched pension up to 8%

Private medical insurance

Life insurance

25 days holiday plus public holidays

Qualifications

• 7-10 years of R&D experience in HVAC or related sectors.
• Proven track record in leading R&D teams and managing complex portfolios.
• Deep technical expertise in chemistry or materials science.

Responsibilities

• Oversee all technical aspects of product development.
• Implement R&D strategy and innovation processes.
• Collaborate with commercial teams and stakeholders.

Skills

Strong communication skills

Leadership of multi-disciplinary teams

Innovation management

Project management

Education

Degree-level education in chemistry, materials science, or engineering

Job description

The R&D Director will be responsible for the following functional teams: chemistry, engineering, and digital innovation as well as Technical Services and Laboratories.

• Accountable for all technical aspects of new product development and existing technologies
• Foster a culture of scientific excellence, experimentation, and continuous learning.
• Work closely with Product Management to deliver the end-to-end innovation process from ideation through to commercialization.
• Prioritize projects based on technical feasibility, customer value, and commercial impact.
• Implement robust stage-gate processes, project management and KPIs to track progress and ROI.
• Collaborate closely with the Strategic Marketing and Product Management teams to translate customer insights into R&D priorities.
• Define and execute a global R&D roadmap aligned with Fernox's strategic pillars.
• Engage directly with key customers and partners to co-develop solutions and validate prototypes in real-world environments.
• Identify and evaluate emerging technologies, academic collaborations, and start-up partnerships that can accelerate innovation.
• Represent Fernox in external innovation ecosystems, consortia, and technical forums e.g. HHIC / BEAMA Water Treatment Group.
• Ensure protection of intellectual property through patents and trade secrets.
• Maintain compliance with global regulatory standards and certifications relevant to product development.
• Close collaboration with Operation Team to ensure design for manufacture is fit for purpose.
• Oversee the technical services function to ensure effective support for product application, troubleshooting, and customer training.
• Collaborate with commercial teams to translate technical insights into service offerings and support tools.
• Drive continuous improvement and capability building within R&D and technical services to enhance customer satisfaction and product performance.
• To succeed in this role, you'll need a strong background in the HVAC sector, with at least 7‑10 years of R&D experience and a minimum of a degree‑level education. Exceptional communication skills are essential, as you'll not only be responsible for implementing our global R&D and innovation strategy but also for representing Fernox at external events as the face of our business. You should have a proven track record of leading multi‑disciplinary teams, developing high‑performing R&D groups, and driving continuous improvement initiatives to enhance technical service capabilities.
• Deep technical expertise in chemistry, materials science, or engineering (preferably water treatment or HVAC‑related).
• Strong innovation management and product development experience. Strategic thinking with the ability to balance long‑term vision and short‑term delivery.
• Excellent stakeholder engagement and communication skills.
• Proven track record of leading teams and managing complex R&D portfolios.
• Proven project management skills and experience of agile product management techniques.
• Fernox operates as a subsidiary business of MacDermid Enthone Industrial Solutions, a global diverse producer of high technology specialty products and a provider of technical services. MacDermid Enthone Industrial Solutions operates as a Business Unit of Element Solutions Inc (NYSE: ESI). Element Solutions Inc is a leading specialty chemical company whose business supplies a broad range of solutions that enhance the products people use every day.
• Fernox is a leading manufacturer of water treatment chemical products, central heating system filters, plumbing consumables and diagnostic testing services. Fernox has pioneered the development of energy efficient products both for traditional and renewable technology in domestic and commercial applications. The business is committed to a progressive Research and Development program and invested in an extensive in‑house R&D team of scientists based in the UK, People's Republic of China and the US, and has also offices in France, Germany, Italy, Belgium, Netherlands, Hungary and Turkey. We strive to embody the five 'Elements of our Culture'—our '5C's'; Challenge, Commit, Collaborate, Choose, and Care. These core values are the foundation of our organization which our employees embrace in their interactions with customers, colleagues and other stakeholders, to drive financial performance and create a rewarding work environment. We are seeking an R&D Director in our Fernox business to implement the global R&D and innovation strategy, driving the development of differentiated, sustainable, and commercially viable technologies that align with our long‑term growth objectives. This role bridges scientific research, product development, and market application, ensuring Fernox remains at the forefront of water treatment and energy efficiency innovation.
• Challenge Yourself and Impact the Future—As part of our team here, as well as receiving a competitive base salary, you will participate in a generous performance related bonus scheme. In addition you will receive a matched pension up to 8% of base salary, private medical insurance, life insurance, cashplan and 25 days holiday in addition to public holidays. Teamwork—at Element Solutions Inc, you will be part of a highly collaborative culture that promotes continuous improvement through cross functional partnerships to achieve our mission. We do this through a strong and unified culture and transparent management which has empowered us to create high performing global teams that achieve superior solutions for our customers.