Senior Director of R&D - Animal Safety

Neogen Corporation

About The Position

The Senior Director, Research & Development (Animal Safety) defines and executes Neogen’s global Animal Safety product development strategy in support of long-term growth objectives. The role oversees the Animal Safety R&D portfolio, drives innovation and product-development priorities, and aligns market needs, customer requirements, business strategy, regulatory considerations, and technical capabilities. The position leads a global R&D strategy and an international R&D organisation, advancing products and technologies in response to customer needs and supporting sustainable business growth. The Senior Director works across commercial, operational, quality, and regulatory functions 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.
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 building and managing innovation pipelines, making portfolio decisions, and delivering products from concept through 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, including the ability to assess technical feasibility, customer demand, regulatory considerations, and financial outcomes.

Nice To Haves

A DVM or PhD is strongly preferred.

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 portfolio governance, prioritising projects, investment, and resources in line with strategic priorities, market developments, and programme performance.
Drive technical excellence across product development by 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.