Director of Technology - Personal Care Ingredients

Optify Search; Tennessee; On-site; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Optify Search partners with a growing U.S. specialty chemicals manufacturer to appoint a Director of Technology who will lead innovation, application development, and the technical strategy across its advanced chemical technologies portfolio.

The role blends technology leadership with customer engagement, product development, and commercial strategy, aiming to build a robust technology function and guide long-term growth in personal care, life sciences, and related markets.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Cosmetic Science, or related field; advanced degree preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead the technology strategy and innovation roadmap across personal care, life sciences, and specialty chemical applications.
• Identify new growth opportunities and application areas for glycolic acid and related technologies.
• Act as a senior technical resource for customers, providing expertise during product development and commercialization.
• Partner with commercial teams to support business development, strategic accounts, and key customer projects.
• Work cross-functionally with R&D, operations, manufacturing, regulatory, and commercial teams.
• Evaluate market trends, emerging technologies, and competitive products to drive innovation initiatives; support new products, formulations, and customer-focused solutions.
• Represent the company at customer meetings, industry conferences, and technical events.
• Build and develop the future technology organization as the business expands.

Skills

Technical leadership

Customer engagement

Innovation drive

Education

Bachelor's degree in Chemistry/Chemical Engineering/C cosmetic Science

Advanced degree preferred

Job description

Optify Search are currently partnered with a growing U.S. specialty chemicals manufacturer seeking a Director of Technology to lead innovation, application development, and technical strategy across its advanced chemical technologies portfolio.

This is a unique leadership opportunity for a technically driven professional to shape the future direction of a business serving the personal care, life sciences, and specialty chemical markets. The successful candidate will act as a key technical authority, working closely with customers, commercial teams, and R&D to identify new applications, support product development, and drive long-term growth.

The role combines technology leadership, customer engagement, innovation, and commercial strategy, offering the opportunity to build and lead a technology function within a growing organization.

Responsibilities

• Lead the company's technology strategy and innovation roadmap across personal care, life sciences, and specialty chemical applications.
• Identify new growth opportunities and application areas for glycolic acid and related technologies.
• Act as a senior technical resource for customers, providing expertise and support during product development and commercialization activities.
• Partner closely with commercial teams to support business development, strategic accounts, and key customer projects.
• Work cross-functionally with R&D, operations, manufacturing, regulatory, and commercial teams.
• Evaluate market trends, emerging technologies, and competitive products to drive innovation initiatives.Support the development of new products, formulations, and customer-focused solutions.
• Represent the company at customer meetings, industry conferences, and technical events.
• Build and develop the future technology organization as the business continues to expand.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Cosmetic Science, or a related scientific discipline. Advanced degree preferred.
• 10+ years of experience within personal care ingredients, specialty chemicals, life sciences, or related markets.
• Strong technical background in product development, application development, technical service, or R&D.
• Experience interacting directly with customers and translating technical capabilities into commercial opportunities.
• Demonstrated track record of driving innovation, new product development, and market expansion initiatives.
• Previous leadership experience, either through direct people management or leading technical programs and projects.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills.
• Entrepreneurial mindset with the ability to thrive in a growth-oriented environment.

Why Apply?

• Opportunity to lead technology and innovation within a fast-growing specialty chemicals business.
• Highly visible leadership role with direct influence on business strategy.
• Work across personal care, cosmetic actives, life sciences, and specialty chemical applications.
• Shape future product development and commercial expansion initiatives.
• Build and develop a technology function with significant long-term career potential.