Senior Director of R&D - Animal Safety

Neogen Corporation

About The Position

The Senior Director, Research & Development (Animal Safety) is responsible for defining and executing the global Animal Safety product development strategy to support Neogen's long-term growth objectives. This leader oversees the Animal Safety R&D portfolio, drives innovation and product development priorities, and ensures alignment between market needs, customer requirements, business strategy, regulatory considerations, and technical capabilities. Lead the future of animal safety innovation as our Senior Director, Research & Development - Animal Safety. This high-impact leadership role will shape and deliver a global R&D strategy, advancing products and technologies that respond to evolving customer needs and support sustainable business growth. You will lead a talented, international R&D organisation and work closely with commercial, operational, quality and regulatory colleagues to bring scientifically rigorous, commercially successful solutions to market.

Requirements

An advanced degree in Veterinary Medicine, Veterinary Diagnostics, Animal Science, Microbiology, Immunology or a related scientific discipline; a DVM or PhD is strongly preferred.
Significant senior-level experience leading R&D, technical or product development teams within animal health, veterinary diagnostics, livestock production or a related sector.
Strong knowledge of veterinary medicine, animal health markets, veterinary diagnostics and structured product development processes.
Demonstrable experience of building and managing innovation pipelines, making portfolio decisions and delivering products from concept through to commercialisation.
Proven ability to lead complex, cross-functional and international teams, creating engagement, clarity of purpose and strong delivery performance.
Strategic and commercially minded leadership skills, with the ability to assess technical feasibility, customer demand, regulatory considerations and financial outcomes.

Responsibilities

Develop and execute the global Animal Safety R&D strategy, aligning innovation priorities with business objectives, market opportunities and customer needs.
Lead the end-to-end R&D portfolio, from early concept through commercialisation, balancing incremental improvements with transformational innovation and ensuring strong return on investment.
Establish and oversee effective portfolio governance, prioritising projects, investment and resources in line with strategic priorities, market developments and programme performance.
Drive technical excellence across product development, embedding robust stage-gate processes, scientific rigour, quality, speed and predictability of delivery.
Partner with Commercial, Product Management, Marketing, Operations, Quality and Regulatory Affairs to ensure products are customer-focused, scalable, manufacturable and designed with compliance requirements considered from the outset.
Build, develop and retain a high-performing global R&D organisation, strengthening leadership capability, technical career pathways, succession planning and a culture of accountability, collaboration and continuous improvement.