Director – Research, Development & Innovation

WE Soda; Çankaya; On-site; TRY 900,000 - 1,300,000; Full time

Job summary

WE Soda, the world’s largest producer of natural soda ash, is seeking a Director – Research, Development & Innovation to lead its R&D and technology strategy. Reporting to the COO, you will shape governance, establish roadmaps, and build an integrated global R&D capability across multiple locations, including Türkiye and the United States.

You will lead multidisciplinary teams, drive process development and technology advancement, and partner with universities and industry to commercialize

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Materials Science, Process Engineering or related technical discipline.
• MSc, PhD or equivalent advanced degree would be advantageous.
• Typically 15+ years of relevant professional experience in R&D, technology development, process engineering or innovation leadership.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement the R&D, technology and innovation strategy aligned with long-term priorities.
• Establish technology roadmaps to support growth, ops excellence, sustainability and competitiveness.
• Build and lead a scalable, high-performing R&D and Innovation organisation.
• Lead programmes focused on process development, product enhancement and tech advancement.
• Oversee lab, pilot-scale and industrial-scale development activities.

Skills

Strategic leadership

R&D management

Technology development

Stakeholder management

Process optimization

Team leadership

English fluency

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering or related

MSc/PhD or equivalent

Job description

WE Soda is the world’s largest producer of natural soda ash, a critical raw material used in a wide range of industrial applications, including glass, detergents, and chemicals. Our company takes great pride in producing over 9.5 million tonnes of natural soda ash annually, an exceptional milestone that reinforces our leadership in the global market.

With our headquarters in the United Kingdom and production facilities in Türkiye and the United States, we operate across a broad international footprint. Our products are in high demand worldwide, and we currently export premium natural soda ash to more than 80 countries, reflecting our commitment to operational excellence and our ability to meet the diverse needs of a global customer base.

We are looking for an experienced and forward-thinking Director – Research, Development & Innovation to lead the next stage of our R&D and innovation journey.

Reporting directly to the Chief Operating Officer and maintaining a strong matrix relationship with the Türkiye General Managers, this is a senior leadership role with responsibility for shaping and implementing our research, technology and innovation strategy while building the organisational and technical capabilities required to support our long‑term growth ambitions.

The Role

As Director – Research, Development & Innovation, you will lead the development of a high-performing R&D organisation and create a strong connection between scientific expertise, technology development and operational performance.

You will be responsible for:

• Developing and implementing the R&D, technology and innovation strategy in line with long-term business priorities
• Establishing technology roadmaps supporting growth, operational excellence, sustainability and competitiveness
• Building and developing a scalable, high-performing R&D and innovation organisation
• Leading research programmes focused on process development, product enhancement and technology advancement
• Overseeing laboratory, pilot-scale and industrial-scale development activities
• Translating research and new technologies from concept through development to industrial implementation
• Partnering closely with Operations, Engineering and Manufacturing teams to solve complex technical challenges
• Driving innovation that contributes to productivity improvement, process optimisation and cost reduction
• Establishing effective R&D governance, road map, performance management and technology development processes
• Developing strategic partnerships with universities, research institutions, technology providers and industry partners
• Leading the establishment, development and ongoing management of world‑class R&D and Innovation Centres, including organisational design, capability building, infrastructure development and governance frameworks.
• Ensuring effective management of intellectual property, patents, technical knowledge and innovation assets, including the identification, protection and commercialization of innovation outcomes.
• Building technical capability, developing talent and creating a culture of innovation, curiosity, collaboration and scientific excellence
• Supporting the development of a globally integrated R&D capability across multiple locations

What We Are Looking For

We are looking for a senior technical leader who combines strong scientific and engineering credibility with strategic leadership and commercial awareness.

The successful candidate will ideally have:

• A Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Materials Science, Process Engineering or a related technical discipline
• An MSc, PhD or equivalent advanced degree would be an advantage
• Typically 15+ years of relevant professional experience in research, technology development, process engineering or innovation leadership
• Significant experience within chemicals, mining, industrial processing, materials, energy or other relevant process industries
• Demonstrated experience in establishing, developing or transforming an R&D organisation, innovation centre or technology function
• Hands‑on experience establishing, scaling and leading an R&D Centre, Innovation Centre or Technology Development organisation.
• Proven leadership of multidisciplinary technical teams and complex research or technology programmes
• Experience working within multi‑site and/or international organisations
• Strong understanding of the transition from laboratory and pilot‑scale development to industrial implementation
• The ability to translate technical innovation into measurable operational and commercial value
• Experience collaborating with universities, research institutions and external technology partners
• Strong stakeholder management, analytical and problem‑solving capabilities
• Fluency in English
• What Will Define Success

Success in this role will not only be measured by research output, but by the ability to turn innovation into tangible business value.

We are therefore looking for a leader who can combine scientific excellence, industrial experience, organisational leadership and a strong growth mindset to build the next generation of our R&D and innovation capability.

If you are motivated by building something for the future, developing people and technology, and transforming ideas into industrial‑scale solutions, we would be pleased to hear from you.