Technical Director – Specialty Chemicals & Surfactants

THIS POSITION IS BASED IN CHICAGO AND RELOCATION ASSISTANCE IS PROVIDED.

We are an established specialty chemical manufacturer specializing in custom synthesis, functional block polymers, specialty surfactants, and performance additives. Serving global market leaders in Coatings, Adhesives, Sealants, and Elastomers (C.A.S.E.) and Polyurethanes, our technology portfolio spans advanced alkoxylation, esterification, amidation, and organosilicone chemistries.

Position Overview

The Technical Director will provide strategic vision, technical leadership, and operational oversight for our R&D, Product Development, and Technical Service organizations. Reporting to executive leadership, you will drive the innovation roadmap, oversee custom synthesis development (specifically alkoxylation, block polymers, esters, and amides), and partner closely with commercial leaders to solve complex formulation challenges for tier-1 C.A.S.E. customers.

Key Responsibilities

• R&D Leadership & Strategy: Direct the R&D and product development teams in synthesizing novel surfactants, EO/PO block polymers, polyols, and specialty intermediates.
• Technology Portfolio Management: Oversee technical programs involving alkoxylation, esterification, amidation, and organosilicone platforms to expand core commercial product offerings.
• Commercial & Customer Alignment: Serve as the executive technical point of contact for key client accounts, translating market requirements into executable synthesis projects.
• Process Development & Scale-Up: Oversee the transition of synthetic chemistries from bench scale through pilot plant to commercial production, ensuring robust process safety (PSM), high yields, and strict quality control.
• Intellectual Property & Innovation: Identify emerging technology trends in C.A.S.E. applications, safeguard corporate IP, and direct patent filings for new chemical structures and process technologies.
• Team Development: Build, mentor, and direct a high-performing team of synthetic chemists, formulation scientists, and laboratory technicians.

Qualifications

• Education: Advanced degree (Ph.D. preferred, M.S. required) in Organic Chemistry, Polymer Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or a related discipline.
• Experience: 10+ years of industrial R&D experience in specialty chemical manufacturing, with at least 5+ years in a technical management or director-level capacity.
• Core Chemistry Expertise: Deep technical command of alkoxylation (EO/PO chemistry), block polymer synthesis, esters, amides, and surfactant architecture.
• Domain Knowledge: Extensive familiarity with C.A.S.E., polyurethane, or industrial surfactant end-use markets.
• Leadership Skills: Proven track record of scaling lab technology to commercial production, driving cross-functional projects with commercial/operations teams, and leading R&D organizations.

THIS POSITION IS BASED IN CHICAGO AND RELOCATION ASSISTANCE IS PROVIDED.