Director R&D - Discovery & Innovation

PDI • Woodcliff Lake, NJ

5d

About The Position

Driven by a commitment to research, quality, and service, PDI provides innovative products, educational resources, training, and support to prevent infection transmission and promote health and wellness. Encompassing three areas, our Healthcare, Sani Professional and Contract manufacturing divisions, we develop, manufacture, and distribute leading edge products for North America and the world. We have several locations across the US and are looking for new Associates to join our team! POSITION PURPOSE The R&D Director, Discovery & Innovation is responsible for building and leading PDI’s future‑facing innovation engine. This role identifies, sources, evaluates, and accelerates early‑stage technologies, materials, platforms, academic research collaborations, and supplier‑driven innovations that feed the long‑term R&D pipeline. This leader drives external innovation engagement, emerging technology scouting, academic and institutional partnership development, and platform exploration to create a robust pipeline of differentiated scalable opportunities aligned to PDI’s strategic growth priorities. The R&D Director also supports downstream product development projects by providing specialized technical capabilities, external expertise, and access to advanced research partners when unique scientific or technology needs arise. The R&D Director serves as the architect of upstream innovation, translating insights, foresight, academic and industry partnerships, and external collaborations into validated concepts and feasibility programs that can transition effectively into Product Development Delivery.

Requirements

• Extensive experience in R&D, innovation, technology scouting, or related fields, including leadership responsibility.
• Proven ability to translate emerging technologies or insights into promising product or platform opportunities.
• Demonstrated capability to lead teams, foster accountability, and drive results in dynamic or ambiguous environments.
• Advanced degree (Master’s or higher) in a relevant scientific or engineering discipline.
• Understanding of early‑stage product development, innovation processes, or feasibility assessment.
• Knowledge of technology scouting, external innovation models, or partnership development.
• Familiarity with relevant scientific, technical, or regulated industry environments.
• Ability to collaborate effectively across functions such as Marketing, Quality, Regulatory, and Operations.
• 10+ years of progressive experience in Research & Development with at least 5 years of leadership experience supporting complex, regulated product development organizations.
• Experience identifying and developing early‑stage innovation or technology opportunities.
• Background leading feasibility work, proof‑of‑concept initiatives, or exploratory research programs.
• Experience managing external collaborations, partnerships, or supplier‑driven development activities.
• Demonstrated ability to influence cross‑functional stakeholders and make sound recommendations amid uncertainty.
• Strong communication and storytelling skills, with the ability to convey complex concepts clearly.
• Strategic and analytical thinking, especially in early or uncertain stages of development.
• Ability to lead and develop multidisciplinary teams and foster a high‑accountability culture.
• Strong organizational, project management, and prioritization skills.
• Ability to navigate and contribute meaningfully within regulated product development environments.

Nice To Haves

• Doctorate or business degree is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Build and maintain a strong external innovation ecosystem including suppliers, startups, academic institutions, and technology partners
• Identify emerging technologies, materials, and platforms with potential application to PDI products and markets
• Establish strategic supplier, partner, and academic research relationships that provide early access to differentiated technologies
• Lead technology landscaping and external benchmarking to identify white space opportunities
• Translate external technologies and insights into structured, platform-aligned innovation concepts
• Lead early-stage feasibility programs to evaluate technical viability, scalability, risk, and potential value
• Develop proof-of-concept prototypes and learning plans that reduce uncertainty before formal product development
• Ensure strong technical and commercial rationale for concepts entering the R&D pipeline
• Lead and deploy Discovery & Innovation team capabilities to support product development projects when specialized expertise or advanced external resources are required.
• Lead and manage external Requests for Proposals (RFPs), from opportunity definition through proposal evaluation, to accelerate exploration of new technologies and solution pathways.
• Partner with suppliers, academic groups, and external developers to deliver early prototypes and demonstrators
• Ensure structured evaluation, learning capture, and decision-making from externally driven innovation programs
• Lead trend analysis and foresight activities across science, technology, regulation, and customer needs
• Translate macro trends and market signals into actionable innovation opportunity areas
• Develop opportunity maps and innovation themes that guide strategic R&D focus areas
• Establish governance processes for early-stage innovation projects, including stage gates and decision criteria
• Define, implement, and actively track innovation pipeline health metrics, feasibility cycle times, and concept conversion rates, providing hands‑on analysis and leadership oversight to drive timely, data‑based decisions.
• Ensure disciplined execution and documentation to support downstream transition into formal development
• Build and lead a high-performing Discovery & Innovation team a team of 1–3 specialists
• Foster a culture of curiosity, experimentation, and learning
• Partner with Product Development, Marketing, and Commercial teams
• Serve as a visible champion of innovation across the R&D organization

Benefits

• Medical, behavioral & prescription drug coverage
• Health Savings Account (HSA)
• Dental
• Vision
• 401(k) savings plan with company match and profit sharing
• Basic and supplemental Life and AD&D insurance
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)
• Short & long-term disability
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Health Advocacy Program
• Legal services, critical illness, hospital indemnity, accident coverage, ID theft and fraud protection, pet insurance and employee discounts.
• sick & safe leave
• vacation
• company & floating holidays
• paid parental leave
• summer hours and flex place/flex time options

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director