Director, R&D - EMS

About Chase Corporation

Founded in 1946 we have grown to become a global specialty chemicals company that is a leading manufacturer of protective materials for high-reliability applications across diverse market sectors.

Today we employ nearly 800 people and continue to grow and strengthen our business by employing a related diversification strategy that combines organic growth initiatives with strategic acquisitions.

Based in Westwood, Massachusetts, USA we operate manufacturing facilities in the United States, Europe, and Asia and continue to invest in our capabilities in order to deliver value to our global customer base demands.

Role Overview

The Director, Research & Development will lead global R&D and solutions development for Chase Corporation’s Electronic Materials Solutions (EMS) business. This role is responsible for advancing R&D capabilities in support of growth by translating core chemistries into scalable, customer-ready solutions.

The EMS portfolio includes conformal coatings, adhesives, and encapsulants under the Humiseal brand, serving Automotive, Aerospace, Defense, and Renewable Energy markets. The Director will provide hands-on technical leadership while building the systems, processes, and organizational discipline required to improve speed-to-market, portfolio focus, and commercial impact.

This position reports to the Vice President of Marketing, Product Development, and R&D and works closely with Marketing, Sales, Operations, and Manufacturing teams globally.

Key Responsibilities

R&D Leadership & Execution

• Lead and develop a global R&D organization supporting EMS, providing technical direction, prioritization, and execution oversight.
• Drive consistent R&D operating processes across the organization, including project management, documentation, and governance.
• Ensure R&D effortsalignwith business priorities, customer requirements, and regulatory standards.

Technology & Portfolio Development

• Develop andmaintaintechnology roadmaps that connect current capabilities with future market and customer needs.
• Guide R&D project selection and prioritization to support new product development, application expansion, and system-level solutions.
• Support new product introduction (NPI) processes in partnership with Manufacturing and Operations.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner with Marketing and Sales to translate customer needs and market insights into differentiated technical solutions.
• Collaborate with Manufacturing to ensure solutions are scalable, cost-effective, andproduction ready.
• Support customer engagement activities by providing technicalexpertiseand solution development leadership.

People Development

• Manage and develop R&D leaders and technical staff, fostering accountability, continuous improvement, and professional growth.
• Build technical depth and bench strength across the organization to support future growth.

Continuous Improvement

• Improve R&D efficiency, time-to-market, and project outcomes through structured processes and performance tracking.
• Contribute to integration and standardization efforts related to business growth and acquisitions.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 10 years of experience in electronic materials, including PCB assembly protective materials or closely related technologies.
• Demonstrated experience leading R&D or technical teams within a manufacturing or industrial environment, with accountability for execution and outcomes.
• Proven experience developing new or enhanced products and application-level solutions from concept through commercialization, using structured product development processes (e.g., stage-gate).
• Demonstrated ability to improve R&D effectiveness, execution discipline, and predictability through systems, processes, and prioritization.
• Strong cross-functional collaboration skills, with experience partnering across R&D, Marketing, Operations, Manufacturing, and Commercial teams.
• Commercially aware technicalleaderable to balance technical depth with business and customer priorities and translate technical concepts into business-relevant terms.
• Results-oriented, hands-on leadership style witha track recordof building, developing, andretaininghigh-performing technical teams in fast-paced or change-oriented environments.
• Willingness to travel domestically and internationally (up to approximately 50%).

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, or a related technical discipline (advanced degree preferred).