The Senior Director of Research & Development (R&D) is a strategic leadership role responsible for driving innovation, product development, technology advancement, and performance testing within the predominantly water-based chemistries primarily supporting paper, food, water treatment, transportation, and similar applications. Reporting directly to the Chief Technical Officer (CTO) , this position oversees all aspects of R&D including formulation, process optimization, commercialization, and performance testing of existing products, new products, and emerging technologies. The Senior Director will lead a multidisciplinary team of scientists and engineers, ensuring alignment with corporate objectives and market needs. This role requires a deep understanding of chemistry, chemical processing, regulatory compliance, sustainability initiatives, and emerging trends in the chemical industry. The individual will collaborate closely with cross-functional teams—such as operations, procurement, quality, and marketing—to translate research into commercially viable solutions that deliver competitive advantages.