Job Name: Director of Innovation

Location: Somerset, New Jersey

II. Company Direction:

Presperse is one of the leading Personal Care purveyors of spherical powders, texturizing agents, color effect pigments, rheology modifiers, solvents, sunscreens, and hydrocarbons, among other ingredients. Our top customers include the leading global cosmetic producers, regional contract manufacturers, and private label companies. We are actively expanding our skin and hair care portfolios, in addition to building a stronger applications & research development team to further enhance the position of the company as a technology solutions provider. In conjunction with this technology investment is an ongoing need for strategic professionals.

III. Position Description:

Presperse is recruiting a Director of Innovation based in the Northeast Region. As Director of Innovation, you will be responsible for investigating upstream innovation and securing the next future forward, HIGH-IMPACT innovative ingredients/technologies. This pivotal hunter/gather role will also lead the commercialization of new ingredients/technologies into our portfolio, according to the portfolio strategy defined by the VP of Supply Innovation and VP of Marketing. The Director of Innovation will collaborate with our scientists, marketing department, and network of technical partners to regularly assess market trends and emerging technologies. By identifying portfolio white space and completing feasibility assessments on emerging technologies, this individual will optimize and lead all major steps involved with our Stage-Gate New Product Introduction process.

IV. Responsibilities:

• Accountable for identifying, scouting, developing, scaling up and launching upstream technologies.
• Partner with upstream innovators such as IDEO, Alice in Wonderland, network major university departments such as CalTech, MIT, Standford, Oxford, ETH Zurich, Bio Chemistry/Bio Tech companies to seek out new innovations.
• Own and maintain a New Innovation Road Map in line with the portfolio strategy established by the VP of Supply Innovation and VP of Marketing
• Optimize and lead the Stage-Gate New Product Introduction process by partnering with external network of technology partners, to scout, identify, and commercialize new cosmetic ingredient innovations.
• Manage C-Level B2B relationships with external manufacturers in establishing new trade agreements according to our strategic sourcing needs.
• Work with a cross-functional team of colleagues to successfully bring new technologies to market; this includes but is not limited to regular collaboration with the Presperse Director of R&D, general R&D organization, Marketing, Sales, R&D, Quality Assurance, Regulatory, and Supply Chain.
• New Data Generation: Work in partnership with the Director of R&D to regularly assess the product portfolio and execute new data generation with a goal of expanding our existing products’ substantiation data according to customer needs and emerging marketing trends
• Strengthen and create partnerships critical to the ongoing expansion of our portfolio; this includes but is not limited to the future creation of a Presperse Scientific Advisory Board, official University partnerships, collaborations with technical incubators, etc
• Partner with Marketing during new product launches to ensure all new sales collateral and digital promotions properly capture key messaging and selling features

V. Reporting and Key Internal Partners

This position reports to the VP of Supply Innovation, who in turn reports to the President/CEO of the company. As such, the Director of Innovation is in a highly visible and important position within the company and is expected to take on major responsibilities that will directly impact the future positioning of our technologies in the market.

VI. Education, Experience and Skills Required

· Seeking a future forward, far out thinker! Candidate brings vision and in-sight and is excited to work amongst a diverse team of professionals.

· Master’s Degree in Chemistry, Biochemistry, or a related field; PhD Degree strongly preferred

· Minimum 7 years of proven personal care experience working in relatable cosmetic ingredient technical positions, most notably positions focused on ingredient upstream innovation, claims substantiation, and/or new cosmetic ingredient commercialization. At least 5 years in relatable senior positions.

· Well versed in cosmetic science, with a strong understanding of the types of cosmetic ingredient testing commonly conducted and respected by the industry (In vitro, Ex vivo, In vivo testing, including common assays, structure of the skin, instrumentation, methods, typical clinical study designs, significance of results, etc)

· Thoroughly understands a wide range of ingredient categories, including basic understanding of key suppliers in the market, common trade names, and common characteristics and traits of the various categories (Active ingredients, rheology modifiers, cosmetic powders, emulsifiers, emollients, preservative boosters, surfactants, conditioning agents, texturizing agents, solvents, chelating agents, etc)

· Well versed in business, including having the ability to create anticipated ROI analysis, budgeting, and cost analysis on new product development, manufacturing and scaleup and introductions in partnership with sales

· Publications/patents in a related field

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: From $150,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Flexible schedule
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Compensation package:

• Bonus opportunities

Experience level:

• 11 years

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Monday to Friday

People with a criminal record are encouraged to apply

Ability to Relocate:

• Somerset, NJ 08873: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Somerset, NJ 08873