Sr. R&D Leader, Product & Application

Dow Chemical; Cheltenham (Montgomery County); On-site; USD 130,000 - 195,000; Full time

Job summary

Dow Industrial Solutions seeks a Senior R&D Leader based in Collegeville, PA to guide a 13-person, multi-site team delivering product and platform innovations in Cleaning and related segments. You will drive strategy, allocate resources, ensure safe lab operations, and manage budgets and IP strategies.

The role partners across functions to advance research, implementation, and successful commercialization, while engaging with external partners and customers to grow the business.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a scientific or engineering discipline.
• Minimum five years of relevant technical experience.
• Proven ability to lead teams and collaborate across functions.
• Commitment to safe operations and responsible research.
• US work authorization; no visa sponsorship.

Responsibilities

• Lead a multi-site R&D team; set priorities, allocate resources, manage performance.
• Develop, prioritize, and manage the Home Care Cleaning R&D portfolio and related platforms.
• Ensure safety and compliant laboratory operations; champion EHS policies.
• Oversee portfolio performance, identify gaps, and align resources with goals.
• Partner with Product R&D, TS&D, Process R&D, and Marketing to advance research and commercialization.

Skills

Strategic Leadership

Team Management

Cross-functional Collaboration

Safety Compliance

Budget Management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science

Master's degree or PhD

Job description

At Dow, we believe in putting people first and we’re passionate about delivering integrity, respect and safety to our customers, our employees and the planet.

Our people are at the heart of our solutions. They reflect the communities we live in and the world where we do business. Their diversity is our strength. We’re a community of relentless problem solvers that offers the daily opportunity to contribute with your perspective, transform industries and shape the future. Our purpose is simple - to deliver a sustainable future for the world through science and collaboration.If you’re looking for a challenge and meaningful role, you’re in the right place.

About the Role

Dow Industrial Solutions has an exciting opportunity for a Senior R&D Leader based in Collegeville, PA. The Senior R&D Leader will lead a multidisciplinary team (13 FTEs) of researchers, specialists, technicians, and contractors supporting product and application development, primarily for the Cleaning Growth Platform, with additional support for DIS market segments such as Pharma and Crop. The role combines people leadership, safe and reliable laboratory operations, innovation portfolio management, and cross-functional execution to deliver new products, technology platforms, and sustainable business growth. The team is located in Collegeville (PA) and Midland (MI). Dow Industrial Solutions (DIS) is part of the industrial intermediates and Infrastructure (II& I) division and this role reports to the Associate R&D Director. DIS is a diverse business that serves Specialty and Intermediates segments. The focus is on 4 Growth Platforms (Cleaning, Pharma, Energy and Data Centers), in addition to serving multiple additional market segments.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead, coach, and develop a multi-site R&D team; set priorities, allocate resources, manage performance, and foster engagement, recognition, inclusion, and knowledge sharing.
• Build organizational capability by attracting and retaining talent, conducting regular development discussions and one-on-one meetings, and aligning people and assignments with business strategy.
• Ensure safe and compliant laboratory operations in Collegeville by championing Environmental, Health & Safety policies, standards, and behaviors. Responsibility as the local DIS leader for Collegeville operations.
• Develop, prioritize, and manage the Home Care Cleaning R&D portfolio and relevant technology platforms, including stage-gate progression, launch timing, innovation revenue expectations, and return on innovation investment.
• Lead the cross-functional Cleaning Front End Team and translate business strategy into value-generating research priorities, project charters, and execution plans.
• Oversee project delivery against milestones and objectives, ensuring rigorous scientific methods, clear documentation, effective communication, and timely removal of roadblocks.
• Champion disciplined new product innovation and intellectual property strategies, including execution of appropriate patent filings.
• Partner globally with Product R&D, TS&D, Process R&D, EI&G R&D, Commercial, Marketing, and other functions to advance research, implementation, and commercialization.
• Engage customers, universities, and other external partners to support existing products and generate new growth opportunities.
• Assess portfolio performance, identify capability gaps, communicate recommendations, and influence alignment of goals, resources, and accountabilities.
• Manage operating budgets, capital plans, conference plans, and other investments needed to grow people and technical capabilities.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, or a related scientific or engineering discipline.
• Minimum five years of relevant technical experience.
• Demonstrated ability to lead teams, manage complex technical work, and collaborate across functions.
• Strong commitment to safe operations and responsible research practices.
• A minimum requirement for this U.S. based position is the ability to work legally in the United States. No visa sponsorship/support is available for this position, including for any type of U.S. permanent residency (green card) process.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree or PhD in a relevant discipline.
• Previous people leadership experience.
• Experience in cleaning technologies or a related market or technology area.
• Experience with innovation strategy, portfolio prioritization, stage-gate processes, and intellectual property management.

Skills

• Strategic Leadership: The ability to set direction, align people and resources with business objectives, and drive long-term organizational success through vision, planning, and execution.
• Innovation Management: The ability to develop, prioritize, execute, and commercialize new technologies, products, and intellectual property to create business value.
• Team Management: The ability to lead, coach, develop, motivate, and manage individuals and teams to achieve organizational objectives while fostering engagement and performance.
• Interdisciplinary Collaboration: The ability to work effectively across functions, disciplines, organizations, and external partners to achieve shared goals and accelerate results.
• Workplace Safety: The ability to champion safe work practices, ensure regulatory compliance, and foster a culture that prioritizes environmental, health, and safety excellence.

Other Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Effective leadership, coaching, and interpersonal skills.
• Clear, concise communication and a strong record of cross-functional collaboration.
• Ability to influence stakeholders and align priorities, resources, and accountabilities with business objectives.
• Sound judgment in identifying technical and operational issues and understanding their broader organizational impact.
• Ability to recruit, develop, and retain high-performing technical talent.
• Strong business acumen, strategic thinking, and commitment to innovation delivery.

Additional Information

• Relocation assistance is not available for this role.

Benefits – What Dow offers you

We invest in you.

Dow invests in total rewards programs to help you manage all aspects of you: your pay, your health, your life, your future, and your career. You bring your background, talent, and perspective to work every day. Dow rewards that commitment by investing in your total wellbeing.

Here are just a few highlights of what you would be offered as a Dow employee:

• Equitable and market-competitive base pay and bonus opportunity across our global markets, along with locally relevant incentives.
• Benefits and programs to support your physical, mental, financial, and social well-being, to help you get the care you need...when you need it.
• Competitive retirement program that may include company-provided benefits, savings opportunities, financial planning, and educational resources to help you achieve your long term financial-goals.
  • Employee stock purchase programs (availability varies depending on location).
• Student Debt Retirement Savings Match Program (U.S. only).
  • Dow will take the value of monthly student debt payments and apply them as if they are contributions to the Employees' Savings Plan (401(k)), helping employees reach the Company match.
• Robust medical and life insurance packages that offer a variety of coverage options to meet your individual needs. Travel insurance is also available in certain countries/locations.
• Opportunities to learn and grow through training and mentoring, work experiences, community involvement and team building.
• Workplace culture empowering role-based flexibility to maximize personal productivity and balance personal needs.
• Competitive yearly vacation allowance.
• Paid time off for new parents (birthing and non-birthing, including adoptive and foster parents).
• Paid time off to care for family members who are sick or injured.
• Paid time off to support volunteering and Employee Resource Group's participation.
• Wellbeing Portal for all Dow employees, our one-stop shop to promote wellbeing, empowering employees to take ownership of their entire wellbeing journey.
• On-site fitness facilities to help stay healthy and active (availability varies depending on location).
• Employee discounts for online shopping, cinema tickets, gym memberships and more.
• Additionally, some of our locations might offer:
  • Transportation allowance (availability varies depending on location)
  • Meal subsidiaries/vouchers (availability varies depending on location)
  • Carbon-neutral transportation incentives e.g. bike to work (availability varies depending on location)

Join our team, we can make a difference together.

About Dow
Dow (NYSE: DOW) is one of the world's leading materials science companies, serving customers in high-growth markets such as packaging, infrastructure, mobility and consumer applications.Our global breadth, asset integration and scale, focused innovation, leading business positions and commitment to sustainability enable us to achieve profitable growth and help deliver a sustainable future. We operate manufacturing sites in 30countries and employ approximately36,000 people. Dow delivered sales of approximately$43 billionin 2024. References to Dow or the Company mean Dow Inc. and its subsidiaries. Learn more about us and our ambition to be the most innovative, customer-centric, inclusive and sustainable materials science company in the world by visitingwww.dow.comopens in a new tab.

As part of our dedication to inclusion, Dow is committed to equal opportunities in employment. We encourage every employee to bring their whole self to work each day to not only deliver more value, but also have a more fulfilling career. Further information regarding Dow's equal opportunities is available on www.dow.comopens in a new tab.

Dow is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer and is committed to providing opportunities without regard for race, color, religion, sex, including pregnancy, sexual orientation, or gender identity, national origin, age, disability and genetic information, including family medical history. We are also committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in our job application procedures. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, you may call us at 1-833-My Dow HR (833-693-6947) and select option 8.