Growth & Innovation Leader — Enterprise Strategy

Pilot Chemical Company; Cincinnati (OH); On-site; USD 180,000 - 320,000; Full time

Job summary

Pilot Chemical Company is seeking an executive leader to drive enterprise growth through innovation, commercialization, and strategic partnerships. The role reports to the CEO and sits on the Leadership Team, guiding a ~25-person team across Innovation, Commercialization, and Technical Service, with time split between Headquarters and the Innovation Center.

The successful candidate will architect growth strategy, identify emerging markets, and develop a disciplined portfolio of opportunities

Qualifications

• Advanced degree in chemistry, chemical engineering, business, marketing, or related discipline with strategic and analytical capabilities to lead enterprise growth initiatives.
• 20+ years of progressive leadership experience in specialty chemicals or related markets.
• Proven track record driving profitable growth through innovation, commercialization, and market development.
• Ability to translate customer insights and market intelligence into actionable growth strategies and investment priorities.
• Experience leading R&D, product development, commercialization, and portfolio management from concept to launch.
• Demonstrated success in leading strategic partnerships, acquisitions, due diligence, integration planning, and value creation.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute Pilot's long-term growth strategy and multi-year growth roadmap.
• Identify new market opportunities, strategic partnerships, and emerging technologies that accelerate business growth.
• Lead innovation from ideation through commercialization, ensuring technical excellence and customer value creation.
• Oversee Technology & Innovation and Technical Service organizations supporting customers and manufacturing operations.
• Partner with Manufacturing to improve product quality, reliability, and process performance through technical problem solving.
• Lead strategic partnerships, business development initiatives, and M&A opportunities from target identification through integration planning.

Skills

Executive leadership

Growth strategy

Innovation

Strategic planning

Cross-functional leadership

Data-driven decision making

Communication skills

M&A experience

Technical credibility

Education

Advanced degree in chemistry/chemical engineering/business/marketing

Job description

Pilot Chemical Company is seeking an executive leader to drive enterprise growth through innovation, commercialization, and strategic partnerships. The role reports to the CEO and sits on the Leadership Team, guiding a ~25-person team across Innovation, Commercialization, and Technical Service, with time split between Headquarters and the Innovation Center.

The successful candidate will architect growth strategy, identify emerging markets, and develop a disciplined portfolio of opportunities