R&D Director

Aksa Akrilik Kimya Sanayii A.Ş.; Yalova Merkez; On-site; TRY 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Job Orientation and AKSA Recognition Training

Personal and professional development training

Private accommodation for employees

Job summary

Aksa Akrilik Kimya Sanayii A.Ş. in Yalova is looking for an R&D Director to spearhead its innovation and sustainability transformation. In this pivotal role, you willdevelop an R&D roadmap that directly aligns with the company's strategic priorities, focusing on commercial value and sustainability initiatives.

Your responsibilities include managing the R&D project portfolio and leading new product development to ensure they create measurable value for market and company. Exceptional candidates will possess a strong analytical mindset, hands-on experience in innovation management, and fluency in English.

Qualifications

• Senior-level management experience in R&D, product development, or application development.
• Comprehensive knowledge of R&D Center regulations and incentives.
• Proven expertise in new product development and project portfolio management.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end management of new products and technologies.
• Develop an R&D roadmap aligned with company strategy.
• Ensure sustainability in product development activities.

Skills

Strategic analytical mindset

Market analysis

Innovation management

Collaborative teamwork

Problem-solving

Change management

Advanced English proficiency

Education

Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering or related field

Master's or PhD degree (preferred)

Job description

Driven by our vision for sustainable growth and innovation, we are seeking an R&D Director to lead our innovation and sustainability transformation. The ideal candidate will proactively analyze market dynamics, customer expectations, technological developments, and future industry needs, while bringing a strong commercial perspective to R&D strategy and execution.

This role will be responsible for developing an R&D roadmap aligned with the company’s strategic priorities; leading new product, application, and technology development activities with a focus on commercial value and sustainability; fostering a culture of innovation; managing the R&D project portfolio; and ensuring that developed solutions create measurable value for the market, customers, and the company.

Qualifications

• A bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, or a related field; preferably supported by a master’s or PhD degree,
• Senior-level management experience in R&D, product development, and/or application development,
• Strong ability to analyze market dynamics, customer needs, technological trends, and commercial opportunities,
• A strategic, analytical, and business-oriented mindset,
• Knowledge and experience in innovation management, transformation management, and sustainability practices,
• Proven expertise in new product development, R&D project portfolio management, and process development,
• Comprehensive knowledge of R&D Center regulations, incentives, grants, and support programs,
• Strong ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams and support result-oriented, value-creating business processes,
• Strong problem-solving, decision-making, and change management capabilities,
• Advanced proficiency in English.

Key Responsibilities

• Analyzing current and emerging customer needs, industry trends, technological developments, regulations, and competitive dynamics to define innovative product and application development strategies,
• Developing an R&D, product development, and application development roadmap aligned with company strategy,
• Leading the end-to-end management of new products and technologies, from ideation through development, pilot implementation, and commercialization,
• Managing, prioritizing, monitoring, and continuously improving the R&D, product development, and application development project portfolio with a focus on commercial value creation,
• Ensuring that project management systems, processes, and governance structures operate effectively, measurably, and sustainably,
• Developing strategic collaborations with universities, technology companies, suppliers, start-ups, research institutions, and industry stakeholders,
• Identifying and following up on opportunities related to R&D Centers, incentives, grants, and support programs, and leading initiatives that create value for the company,
• Managing intellectual property, patents, know-how, and technical knowledge management processes,
• Integrating sustainability into the R&D strategy,
• Ensuring that environmental impact, resource efficiency, regulatory compliance, and long-term value creation are considered in new product and application development activities,
• Developing innovative solutions that support the company’s sustainable growth objectives,
• Contributing to projects that create competitive advantage in areas such as circular economy, carbon footprint reduction, energy efficiency, and raw material efficiency.

What are waiting for you here!

Applications that support your development

• Participation in Job Orientation and AKSA Recognition Training specific to the process steps within the scope of job adaptation,
• Opportunity to participate in personal development, professional development and leadership training within the scope of our Corporate Training Academy,
• Outside fairs, training and company visit opportunities abroad,

Work-Life Balance

• The opportunity to work 4 days a week, which we implemented as a first in Turkey,
• Private accommodation for employees,

Recruitment Process

• Receiving applications,
• Preliminary evaluation to be made in line with the criteria,
• Sending personality inventory and interview process to shortlisted candidates,