Role : Head - Research & Development (R&D):

Location : Vapi, Gujarat

Industry : Agrochemical Manufacturing

Reporting To : Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

Experience : 25+ years of experience in the agrochemical, specialty chemicals, or crop protection industry, with at least 810 years in a leadership role managing R&D operations.

Educational Qualification :

PhD in Chemistry, Chemical Sciences, Agrochemicals, or related discipline.

Job Summary :

The Head of R&D will lead the organization's research and development strategy for agrochemical products, process innovation, formulation development, and technology advancement. The role is responsible for developing new products, improving manufacturing processes, ensuring regulatory compliance, managing technology transfers, and driving innovation to support business growth.

Key Responsibilities :

Strategic Leadership :

- Develop and execute the R&D strategy aligned with business objectives.

- Build a robust product and technology pipeline.

- Identify emerging technologies, market trends, and innovation opportunities.

Product Development :

- Lead development of new technical-grade products and formulations.

- Improve existing products for performance, cost optimization, and sustainability.

- Coordinate product commercialization from laboratory to plant scale.

Process Development & Scale-up :

- Develop efficient, safe, and cost-effective manufacturing processes.

- Lead pilot plant trials and technology transfer to production.

- Optimize yield, quality, and manufacturing efficiency.

Regulatory & Compliance :

- Ensure R&D activities comply with applicable national and international regulatory requirements.

- Support product registration through technical documentation and data generation.

- Collaborate with regulatory affairs and quality teams.

Innovation & Intellectual Property :

- Drive innovation initiatives across chemistry, formulation, and process engineering.

- Identify patent opportunities and manage intellectual property activities.

- Build collaborations with research institutes, universities, and technology partners.

Team Leadership :

- Lead and mentor multidisciplinary R&D teams.

- Develop technical capabilities and succession plans.

- Foster a culture of innovation, collaboration, and continuous improvement.

Cross-functional Collaboration :

- Work closely with Manufacturing, Quality Assurance, Marketing, Procurement, Regulatory Affairs, and Supply Chain teams.

- Support customer technical requirements and product troubleshooting.

- Provide technical leadership for strategic projects.

Budget & Resource Management :

- Prepare and manage annual R&D budgets.

- Optimize utilization of laboratory resources and research infrastructure.

- Ensure timely execution of projects within budget.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) :

- New product development and commercialization success.

- Process cost reduction and yield improvement.

- Successful technology transfers.

- Patent filings and innovation pipeline.

- Regulatory approvals and registrations.

- Project delivery within timelines.

- Team productivity and capability development.

- Budget adherence.

Required Competencies :

- Strong knowledge of synthetic organic chemistry and agrochemical formulations.

- Expertise in process development and scale-up.

- Knowledge of GLP, GMP, ISO, EHS, and regulatory requirements.

- Project management and portfolio management skills.

- Excellent leadership and people management abilities.

- Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.

- Effective communication and stakeholder management.

Preferred Industry Experience :

Candidates from leading agrochemical, crop protection, specialty chemical, or pesticide manufacturing organizations with experience in:

- Technical-grade agrochemical manufacturing

- Herbicides, insecticides, fungicides, and plant growth regulators

- Custom synthesis and contract manufacturing

- Process intensification and formulation development

Compensation : Competitive and commensurate with experience and industry standards.