Research & Development Director

Harrison Scott Associates; United Kingdom; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company in the paper manufacturing sector is seeking a Research & Development Director to lead its innovative R&D team in South West England. The role includes managing projects from prototype to product, alongside executive responsibilities aimed at corporate strategy in a dynamic environment. Ideal candidates will possess a PhD and extensive experience in papermaking and product development, with a strong managerial background. Competitive salary and attractive relocation benefits on offer.

Benefits

Health club membership reimbursement

Generous pension scheme

Flexible work-life balance

Career development opportunities

Annual bonuses and salary reviews

Qualifications

• BSC and PhD in Physical Sciences required.
• Proven record of New Product Development.
• Managerial experience in R&D contexts.

Responsibilities

• Manage the day-to-day operations of the Paper and Board R&D Team.
• Design and analyze lab-scale papermaking studies.
• Develop strategies for new product acquisition.

Skills

Papermaking

New Product Development

Laboratory Management

Intellectual Property

Data Analysis

Education

BSC in Physical Sciences

PhD in Physical Sciences

Job description

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Research & Development Director, South West England

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Client:

Location:

South West England, United Kingdom

Job Category:

Other

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EU work permit required:

Yes

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Job Reference:

f560b7461f89

Job Views:

4

Posted:

22.06.2025

Expiry Date:

06.08.2025

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Job Description:

Job Title: Research & Development Director – Paper & Board

Salary: Highly Competitive Salary / Relocation & Outstanding Benefits Packaging

Location: South West England

Reference: GYJ79276

Contact:

Telephone: [phone]

Categories: , , ,

This exciting and rarely available position comes with Relocation Assistance and offers mid-term career progression to VP level.

• Role reports to: VP Technology
• No. of Reports: 4

Our Client provides forward thinking technology led solutions for customers in paper and packaging. With several hundred patents, and customers on three continents, their scientists and application specialists help Paper and Board manufacturers make better products – and open the way for entirely new solutions while at the same time leading biomaterial sustainability advances.

Having made significant breakthroughs in new applications and platform technologies, they are a leading global manufacturer within their sector.

Theirtechnology makes a valuable contribution to a sustainable circular economy with manufacturing locations in Europe, the Americas and Asia.

This role is laboratory and office based and as the Paper and Board R&D Director, you will safely manage the day-to-day running of the Paper and Board R&D Team, ensuring a timely delivery of outputs to internal and external customers.

Why should you apply?

This position is varied and exciting in a very dynamic, international environment. You will be presented with the opportunity to not only help shape the R&D team, but the further expansion of the whole company.

The site has a very well equipped R&D laboratory complex located in a desirable part of the UK.

You will be offered a highly competitive salary, annual reviews, several types of bonuses, life assurance, income protection, health club membership reimbursement, generous pension, Perks at Work benefit platform, free employee assistance program, recruitment referral scheme, service awards, LinkedIn Learning account, work-life balance, social events, trust and flexibility, support of a great team and career development.

Job Scope

• Manage the laboratory and pilot- scale technical aspects of the company’s Paper and Board new customer acquisition and New Product Development projects.
• Play an active role in determining the company’s strategy and tactics in the paper and board area.
• Identify training needs and development needs of employees under direct supervision.

Key Tasks and Responsibilities

• Design, execution, analysis and reporting of lab-scale and pilot-scale papermaking studies as part of both short customer acquisition projects and New Product Development projects.
• Interface with commercial teams, customers and others.
• Assist Intellectual Property lawyers with maintenance and growth of IP portfolio.
• Develop data in support of regulatory allowances.
• Jointly develop the company position in Corporate Social Responsibility.

Job Specifications

• BSC and PhD in Physical Sciences.
• Managerial experience.
• Detailed knowledge of laboratory-scale and pilot-scale papermaking and paper characterisation.
• Proven record of New Product Development.
• Experience with intellectual property, regulatory and corporate Social Responsibility aspects of project work.
• All enquiries and applications dealt with in strictest confidence
• CVs in MS Word format please, (.doc / .docx)

Key Words: Paper, Paperboard, Papermaking, Paper Manufacture, Paper Science, Materials Science, Chemistry, Phd, Research & Development, R&D, Laboratory, New Product Development, NPD, Laboratory scale, Pilot scale.

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