Vice President – R&D

Job Description

About Us

We are a specialty chemicals manufacturing company with a full stack solution from R&D to manufacturing and doorstep delivery of innovative chemicals. Headquartered in Bengaluru, India we cater to pharmaceutical, agrochemical, industrial chemicals, personal care, dyes & pigments and home care industries.

Our B2B fulfillment platform supports businesses globally in developing and manufacturing chemicals from lab to commercial scale. With a team of in-house R&D experts and scientists, we offer custom synthesis and route scouting services to support manufacturers in product development.

We are VC backed - here is a read. We are 200+ people strong and have offices in India, UAE and Indonesia. We are currently exporting to over 17 countries from India currently.

Read to learn more https://lnkd.in/gd7brT8S

Join us in building the next-generation innovation engine for global chemistry solutions.

Job Description

We are seeking a visionary and hands-on leader to head our R&D division in the specialty chemicals space. The ideal candidate will bring deep technical expertise along with proven leadership experience in developing and managing complex research programs across pharmaceuticals, APIs, and specialty chemical domains.

This role will be responsible for setting the direction of R&D activities, overseeing project execution, driving innovation, and ensuring alignment with strategic business goals. The VP R&D will lead a multidisciplinary team of 30+ researchers including PhDs, Master&aposs graduates, and early-career scientists.

Key Responsibilities

- Lead the R&D function for Specialty Chemicals, including technology development, innovation strategy, and program management.
- Oversee a team of 30+ scientists, providing direction on day-to-day operations and long-term research goals.
- Drive the end-to-end development lifecycle for new products, from ideation to commercialization.
- Develop and execute strategic research roadmaps aligned with business goals and market needs.
- Partner with internal stakeholders (e.g., Manufacturing, Regulatory, BD) to ensure seamless product development.
- Foster a culture of innovation, scientific rigor, and operational excellence.
- Maintain and grow relationships with key customers, understanding their needs and translating them into R&D priorities.
- Stay ahead of global technology and regulatory trends to keep the company at the forefront of innovation.

Candidate Profile

- PhD/Masters in Organic Chemistry.
- 15+ years of R&D experience in specialty chemicals, APIs, or pharmaceutical development.
- Proven leadership of large scientific teams and complex R&D programs.
- Strong understanding of technology transfer, scale-up processes, and regulatory frameworks.
- Demonstrated ability to link R&D strategy to business outcomes.
- Excellent communication and cross-functional collaboration skills.
- Strong customer orientation and ability to represent R&D in external partnerships.
- Exposure to IP strategy, licensing, or open innovation models.
- Experience in working with global clients and/or CDMO/CRAMS industry is highly desirable.

Why Join Us

- Be at the forefront of science-driven innovation that makes global impact
- Lead the development of high-value molecules across diverse sectors
- Collaborate with top minds in academia and industry
- Attractive compensation, equity options, and growth opportunities

If you are a startup enthusiast and like working with fast paced and high growth teams, join the team at Scimplify. To explore synergies email your coordinates/ resume on [Confidential Information]

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