Vice President Research And Development

Restek Corporation; State College (Centre County); On-site; USD 150,000 - 250,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Employee ownership

Collaborative culture

Focus on health and safety

Job summary

Restek Corporation is seeking a Vice President of Research & Development to shape the future of the company. This role demands an enterprise-minded leader who can influence company strategy and foster innovation while ensuring collaboration across teams. The successful candidate will have significant scientific expertise, particularly in chromatography, and will cultivate a culture of inclusion and continuous improvement. Join Restek to drive impactful changes in a progressive, employee-owned environment.

Qualifications

• Strong scientific foundation with chromatography expertise highly valued.
• Global perspective with experience supporting diverse markets.
• People-centered leader committed to coaching and engagement.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to company-wide strategy, priorities, and decision-making.
• Define and lead a market-and customer-driven R&D and innovation strategy.
• Coach and develop leaders and high-performing teams.

Skills

Enterprise-minded leadership

Collaborative innovation

Organizational design

Coaching and engagement

Chromatography expertise

Job description

Lead Innovation. Build the Future. Make a Lasting Impact.

At Restek, we believe science should make the world healthier, safer, and better. For more than 40 years, we’ve built a trusted, employee‑owned company known for technical excellence, customer partnership, and a people‑first culture.

Now, at a pivotal moment in our growth, we’re seeking a Vice President of Research & Development to help shape Restek’s future.

This is not a traditional R&D leadership role. It’s an opportunity to serve as an enterprise leader, influence company strategy, and build the innovation engine, talent, and culture that will carry Restek forward.

The Role

As Vice President of Research & Development, you will be a key member of Restek’s Leadership Team, contributing to enterprise strategy, organizational design, and long‑term growth. While leading R&D, your influence will extend across the business—partnering with customers and cross‑functional teams to deliver differentiated, high‑impact scientific solutions.

You’ll help design and scale the systems, teams, and capabilities needed to translate customer insight and scientific expertise into best‑in‑class products—while reinforcing a culture where people thrive and success is shared.

What You’ll Do

Lead at the Enterprise Level

• Contribute to company‑wide strategy, priorities, and decision‑making
• Collaborate with senior leaders in a culture of shared ownership and thoughtful debate
• Help guide Restek through its next phase of growth and relevance

Drive Customer‑Focused Innovation

• Define and lead a market‑and customer‑driven R&D and innovation strategy
• Partner with Product Management, Operations, Marketing, Sales, and customers to deliver differentiated solutions
• Ensure excellence in product quality, performance, cost, and time‑to‑market

Build for the Future

• Design the organizational structure, talent, and resources needed to scale
• Lead change with clarity, empathy, and accountability
• Balance creativity with execution and innovation with operational discipline

Develop People and Culture

• Coach and develop leaders and high‑performing teams
• Foster an engaged, inclusive, and high‑trust environment
• Reinforce a culture of continuous improvement and employee ownership

Represent Restek Externally

• Build strong relationships with customers, partners, and industry organizations
• Serve as a credible scientific and business leader in global markets

What We’re Looking For

• An enterprise‑minded leader who thinks beyond functional boundaries
• A collaborative innovator who partners effectively with customers and cross‑functional teams
• A builder who can design organizations, develop talent, and lead change
• A people‑centered leader committed to coaching and engagement
• Global perspective with experience supporting diverse markets
• Strong scientific foundation, with chromatography expertise highly valued

Why Join Restek

• Purpose‑driven impact: Our products help protect health, safety, and the environment
• Employee‑owned culture: People‑focused, values‑driven, and collaborative
• Shared success: Employee‑owners share in the financial rewards of our collective achievements
• Leadership with heart: A team committed to growth, trust, and winning together

At Restek, our core values—We Care, Better Every Day, Respect for All, and Win Together—are at the heart of everything we do. We care deeply about our employee‑owners, our customers, and the communities we serve around the world. We strive to be better every day by fostering personal and professional growth while delivering solutions that drive positive global change. We value respect for all, creating a workplace where every voice matters and diverse perspectives drive innovation. And we believe we win together, celebrating shared success as a 100% employee‑owned company.

We are an equal opportunity employer, considering applicants without regard to race, ethnicity, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, religion, military or veteran status, or any other protected characteristic. Restek provides reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and applicable laws.

A Final Word

This role is for a leader who wants more than a title.

It’s for someone who wants to help build a truly distinctive company—where science matters, people matter, and success is shared.