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Carbohydrate Chemist - Director
Cedar Rapids, Iowa

The Regional Applications Director will have responsibility on conducting and directing the application developmental effort leading to new products and new processes and technical services resource management in grain processing enzymes markets, i.e Fuel ethanol and sweeteners. He/She will insure that these efforts are aligned with corporate, financial, strategic, organizational and performance goals. The Regional Applications Director will be responsible for managing and providing leadership to a technical staff of professionals with a budget exceeding $2 to $5 million for conducting application developmental work and technical service support.

Our client has built a new facility in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. The Cedar Rapids facility will be state of the art, new facility opening in January 2009. The Regional Applications Director will lead the transition into the new facility and will lead the technology, process and systems transfer. He/She will also be responsible for building the Cedar Rapids team.

Specific responsibilities include:

• Drive new product development to commercialize the next generation of product and technical solutions
• Develop and standardize the analytical methods needed to support Grain Processing in all three regional application labs
• Establish technical credibility by meeting critical technology milestones
• Develop and implement SOPs for analytical methods
• Conduct application development work to support the GP market (Sweeteners & Fuel Ethanol)
• Build relationships with key internal and external partners as well as customers on technical development objectives; fostering a team culture within the internal R&D group, which nurtures market savvy scientists.
• Document results and make recommendations to marketing and sales in support of existing and new product sales
• Recruit and develop the research and development organization, consisting of highly motivated and talented individuals, that efficiently delivers innovative solutions at an accelerated pace.
• Build and lead a high performance research and development team which supports and fosters an environment leading to an innovative culture.
• Manage the Applications/Tech Service Lab and personnel
• Present technical papers at international and national conferences
• Write applications and technical product brochures
• Ensure that there is a strategy and program for protecting the company’s intellectual property.
• Assist Technology and Supply on a as needed basis
• Ensure that department safety, health and environmental procedures are followed.

PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS

The successful candidate will have 5-10 years experience in enzymes applications in starch processing for sweeteners and alcohol and at least 3 years management experience. A strong background in innovation, commercialization, new product development, and applications development is a must.

The successful candidate will have a track record of strategic technology development and working with people effectively. Most importantly, he / she must have a track record of getting technology from concept through development and production, and into the market in a strategic, economic, timely and predictable manner.

• Strong basic understanding and functional knowledge on enzymes. Preferentially starch hydrolyzing and essential.
• Lead a research and development organization, and have a proven performance record as an operational manager who has significantly improved performance of a business though new product and technology introduction
• Bring a track record of development of analytical methods related to enzyme assays, separations, structural determination of proteins and enzymes
• Understand the use of modern equipment used in enzyme development i.e. purification, assays, IEF, SDS-Electrophoresis, fermentation, starch hydrolysis, etc.
• Manage an organization involving the staffing, mentoring and development of its personnel.
• Demonstrate strong business acumen with an understanding of the financial implications of new product development processes

PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS

The Regional Applications Director should be hands-on and resourceful, possess a strong work ethic, be innovative, decisive and possess the ability to create a sense of mission and attentiveness to current and future customer requirements. This individual must have the intellect to both hire and motivate bright, capable subordinates as well as possessing the ability to build cohesive teams. The Regional Applications Director must be able to manage independent, inquisitive and technically competent individuals, allowing them the scope of freedom necessary for them to excel in their positions; yet, at the same time, he/she must instill a disciplined process of prioritization and execution of product deliverables.

EDUCATION

An undergraduate degree and a Master’s degree in Biochemistry, Microbiology, and Chemical engineering or related. A PhD in Biochemistry, Microbiology or a related science a plus. Extensive experience may be substituted for an advanced degree.

If you have an interest in this role please contact Cyndi Cartwright 303-495-3547 or cyndi.cartwright@kornferry.com

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