R&D Operations Manager, Professional/Business Solutions at RB LLC in Montvale, New Jersey

Job Description:

R&D Operations Manager PRO Line RB (formerly called Reckitt Benckiser) is the world's leading Consumer Health and Hygiene Home company. The company has operations in over 60 countries, with sales in almost 200 countries. The company employs over 40,000 people worldwide. It is structured around three distinct business units dedicated to Health, Nutrition (with headquarters in the UK) and Hygiene (with headquarters in Amsterdam).

Fuelled by a new breed of talent who blend intellectual curiosity with commitment to the highest quality standards, RB is set to redefine the world of Consumer Health and Hygiene Home.  RB people and its culture are at the heart of the company's success. They have an intense drive for achievement and a desire to outperform wherever they focus.

Research & Development Operations Hygiene is the R&D function responsible for global product innovation implementation, product adaptation and product innovation for local brands for Hygiene brands. Teams work closely with R&D Innovation groups as well as regional and global functions on projects delivering growth of the business, protecting existing business against revenue loss, through improving product profitability, integrating formula and packaging development. The teams are associated with regional Supply and Commercial organisations and are based across five regions around the globe.

RESPONSIBILITIES / ACCOUNTABILITIES Business responsibility-Growing Professional Line Regional 
Team size- Currently 2 scientists
Remote management- Direct supervisor and/or direct team might be in a different site, still NJ - USA
Interface with R&D category development teams, supply, procurement, local/regional marketing and commercial teams- Managers, Directors and teams in a daily basis 
Supply reference- Supports local/regional factories
Commercial reference- Supports country / regional commercial organizations, multiple local brands / product segments
Operational independence- May be responsible for running a lab

You Will:

    Lead and manage an R&D Operations team(s), based in the same location/region, accountable for providing R&D support to Business(es) & Brands related to our Professional Line, enabling protection and growth of the existing business as well as delivery of cost saving programs to increase the profitability of existing products. 
    Interface daily with key partners and stakeholders, primarily Marketing, Trade and Commercial functions, also including R&D Innovation, Supply, Procurement, Regulatory, Legal and Safety, in order to develop and drive strategy and prioritization of activities. 
    Be responsible for the management of all technical matters relating to the projects for which you have accountability.
    Develop and lead the team, ensuring proper resource availability and by empowering and supporting them.
    Educate local organizations (marketing, supply, etc.) on technology and product specifics.
    Interact with other regional R&D Operations managers & teams to share best practices.
    Lead the delivery of local facility improvements, namely: offices and laboratories. Ensuring that a professional and compliant working environment is provided for the team. 
    Ensure that facilities and processes are operated with a prioritization to Health and Safety and also to the required R&D Quality standards. Ensure that all work performed is subject to the scrutiny of internal and external auditors. 
    May have to manage an assigned budget.

KEY CHALLANGES     Strategic planning and implementation
    Influencing local/regional leaders and key global stakeholders
    Portfolio management 
    Managing multiple priorities, securing of resources and managing budgets
    Self-starting and independent working
    Remotely managed
    Multi-cultural leadership
    Provision of a fast-paced service to demanding customers with challenging timelines

PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS/ EXPERIENCE QUALIFICATIONS 

    Bachelor, Master or PhD Educated to degree level (chemistry, pharmacy, chemical engineering or other relevant science)EXPERIENCE 

    Minimum 6 years R&D experience with a proven track record of planning, prioritization and implementation of projects as well as identifying cost saving opportunities
    Proven experience with recruitment, management and development of people
    Proven experience of working in a remote managed environment 
    Proven track record in collaboration & influencing with R&D and non-R&D functions
    Desirable experience in Surface Cleaning and Disinfection technologies and products, with application in B2B

KEY SKILLS & COMPETENCIES R&D OPERATIONS SPECIFIC SKILLS: 
    Strong multi-cultural leadership, influencing, motivational and interpersonal skills
    Ability to work well under pressure
    Ability to proactively identify and communicate risks
    Capable of building strong working relationships and strong networking skills
    Strong negotiating & analytical skills
    Ability to anticipate, plan and realize significant projects involving multiple technical and scientific hurdles
    Understanding of P&L management
    Strong intellectual curiosity, appetite for exploring new and previously unchartered territories
    Excellent communication skills both written and oral in English and excellent presentation skills
    Performance testing and market research
    Effective selection of scale-up strategies, equipment and process parameters
    Application of quality, sustainability and regulatory standards
    Ability to manage, control and optimize budgets fo

R&D GENERAL COMPETENCIES: Product Development        Ability to design and manage an end-to-end product development process that includes:
    • development of innovative concepts, claims, formulations and packaging;
    • application of quality, sustainability and regulatory standards;
    • design of protocols for product selection and application, and training to target audience
    • effective selection of scale-up strategies, equipment and process parameters;
    • market research and performance testing;Technology Management    Ability to manage a technology portfolio and create competitive advantage by:  
    • identification of possible relevant innovative technologies (outside innovation);
    • mapping technologies to business and market needs;
    • communication and implementation of technology strategy in the product development process;
    • guidance to production and operations management, project management, quality control, safety and health issues, statistics, and sourcing;Project Management    Ability to achieve complex goals by finding and adapting the best possible methodology of planning, organizing, motivating, negotiating, communicating, controlling resources and procedures to ensure optimised cost, risk, quality and speed of delivery. 
    
Consumer Science    Ability to identify consumer unmet needs, understand motivations and behaviours by effective selection and implementation of consumer research methods. Translation of insights into actionable product measures, enabling the R&D team to design products for maximum success on shelf and in home.     
    
Finance    Ability to manage, control and optimise budgets for teams and projects by planning, predicting and analysis of expenditure.  

    RB is a global business and candidates should be open to relocate internationally for career development and challenge.
    Flexible to travel when required.
    Please note that the duties and responsibilities within this role may change over the course of employment, which will require flexibility.

Equality

In Return RB offer very competitive salaries with excellent benefits and the chance to progress your career within a truly global organisation.
RB is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other basis protected by appropriate law. All hiring decisions are made based on merit, competence and business need.

Nearest Major Market: New York City
Job Segment: Pharmacy, Nutrition, Healthcare