Manager, RD&I

Evonik•Lafayette, IN

3d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Research, Development, & Innovation (RDI) department is responsible for working with key groups within Evonik, external customers, and multiple Tippe departments to both bring in new custom chemical manufacturing business to the site and ensure the current customer business is performing as expected from a technical aspect. The Manager, RDI will collaborate with internal and external customers, participating in the design and execution of process chemistry, technology transfers, equipment evaluation and qualification, and communications. This includes responsibility for quality of customer service and productivity. Additionally, the manager will be responsible for employee management and development.

Requirements

Master’s or PhD in Chemistry or Chemical Engineering; PhD in Chemistry preferred.
Minimum 8 years of industry experience, including hands-on work in chemical or pharmaceutical environments.
Managerial or supervisory experience with demonstrated leadership capability; 5+ years preferred.
Proven experience with scale‑up of synthetic chemistry processes and bulk drug manufacturing operations.
Knowledge and practical experience in process validation and regulatory submissions.
Strong understanding of regulatory and safety requirements (e.g., cGMP, OSHA).
Demonstrated scientific problem‑solving skills and ability to navigate complex technical challenges.
Excellent self‑management, organizational, and written and verbal communication skills.

Responsibilities

Foster an open, intellectually challenging environment that supports staff development and encourages honest communication.
Recruit, develop, and retain diverse talent while managing all administrative responsibilities, including performance, training, and promotions.
Lead by example by upholding SOPs, meeting timelines, and communicating clearly and respectfully.
Drive process improvements by collaborating with stakeholders, customers, and cross‑functional teams.
Provide technical leadership in process chemistry as well as career guidance to departmental staff.
Develop and maintain operational metrics to monitor efficiency, capacity, and performance.
Ensure RD&I practices comply with all regulatory and safety requirements (cGMP, OSHA, SOPs, etc.).
Build strong customer relationships by understanding needs, seeking feedback, and implementing improvements based on that feedback.