R&D Group Manager - Life Sciences

The Innovation and Development Division (IDD) drives the innovation strategy for the Hubs and Operations, and contributes to the Group's transformation. It is responsible for imagining, developing and incubating new solutions until they are brought to market, particularly when it comes to offers with a high technological content (including digital and IT). IDD gathers more than 3,000 employees from 70 nationalities at 60 sites.
How will you CONTRIBUTE and GROW?
The Life Sciences group conducts research activities in several core focus areas with particular emphasis on the use of industrial gases, including cryogenics, in biological/chemical applications. Striving to grow our technology portfolio and forecast new applications for and with our customers, those projects serve many industrial sectors including food, beverages, sustainable agriculture, bio/pharmaceuticals, bioenergy, water and wastewater treatment, as well as hydrometallurgy for metals extraction and recycling.
The objective of this position is to provide effective leadership to our growing team of scientists, engineers and technicians engaged in Life Sciences research to deliver greater value to Air Liquide's stakeholders. This involves the following:
Duties and Responsibilities

• The candidate will act as a safety role model, promote a high level of safety awareness and advance sustainability ambitions of the group. Maintain and continuously improve the compliance of his/her group to safety, environmental and quality standards;
• Accountable for the deliverables of assigned projects to achieve the expected results as defined by the Program Directors and Scientific Directors, and as decided by the R&D management; champion Intellectual Property protection for innovations.
• Work with the Center Director, Program Directors, and Scientific Directors to establish and execute a strategic plan for the group's activities;
• Establish and manage budget and annual team objectives; deliver results by ensuring optimal use of all his/her group resources;
• Develop his/her team members' competencies and technical expertise along the corporate R&D Technical Community Leaders (TCL) program in coordination with the Scientific Director;
• Attract, retain and develop researchers with the support of the HR team and Center Director;
• Develop and manage external collaborations (academia, startups) with local and/or world class institutions and universities under the direction of the Scientific Director;
• Strengthen relationships with affiliates;
• Support Air Liquide affiliates in the zone through the technical support-to-operations program;
• Manage relationships, contracts, and agreements with suppliers, service providers, consultants, and research partners;
• Manage the Flextime innovation program within his/her group.

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Are you a MATCH?
Requirements / Qualifications

• PhD + 6 yrs relevant exp. or M.S. with ~9 + yrs experience in Chemical Engineering, Biotechnology or related discipline;
• Strong record of safety leadership;
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills (written and oral) - this includes the ability to interact with a wide range of stakeholders, e.g., Researchers, Scientific/Program directors, Market/Product directors, Sales/Business representatives-executives, as well as with external parties such as customers, industrial and academic partners, etc.;
• Ability to manage multiple evolving priorities in a highly dynamic and multidisciplinary environment;
• Demonstrated ability to coach/mentor his/her team members;
• Ability to effectively manage and lead a team in an international, innovation/research environment.

Preferred

• Tolerance for uncertainty and ambiguity;
• Able to assess the quality/reliability of the project outcomes, reshape and challenge the content of deliverables and results together with researchers and stakeholders;
• Familiar with the Stage-Gate innovation process.

Our Differences make our Performance
At Air Liquide, we are committed to build a diverse and inclusive workplace that embraces the diversity of our employees, our customers, patients, community stakeholders and cultures across the world.
We welcome and consider applications from all qualified applicants, regardless of their background. We strongly believe a diverse organization opens up opportunities for people to express their talent, both individually and collectively and it helps foster our ability to innovate by living our fundamentals, acting for our success and creating an engaging environment in a changing world.