Key responsibilities:

Technical strategy linked to R&D and creative strategies

• Support the Integration of technical knowledge in the creative strategy
• Define and develop technologies to improve fragrance performance and delivery at the different stages of Fabric Care
• Lead development of fragrance solutions integrating key technologies
• Screen technologies that could improve fragrance performance and make recommendations for testing / introduction
• Work closely with R&D to ensure optimal commercialization and applied development of new technologies and delivery systems
• Source and make recommendations for partnerships with external collaborations in order to work on new technologies
• Focus on Mission Critical and Global Must Win projects, resource alignment, and problem solving to support the business win rate

Leadership

• Ensure the right technologies and training are available for the creative teams
• Ensure cross-category information flow and cross fertilization by enabling knowledge/insight sharing within the global team as well as Hilversum Creative Center
• Continuously monitor the project portfolio to anticipate future product needs and developments and to make proactive recommendations for action.
• Drive best practices and approach changes within C&A and aligned to the Global COE Director
• Support and ensure updates on fragrance ingredient performance and stability
• Develop and lead joint innovation projects with key customers
• Identify and develop talent within the Global Fabric Care Technical and Hilversum team to elevate the knowledge level of the organization; empower direct reports to do the same with their teams
• Ensure that all team members have SMART performance objectives and development plans
• Drive the succession process of talent development - all direct reports should have solid succession plans in place

Customer focus

• Enable the technical team so that they are working closely with sales to understand the customer needs and the product base development.
• Ensure the right process is in place to quickly define performance and stability in specific commercial bases
• Ensure right interpretation of consumer habits in relevant technical and evaluation protocols
• Foster integration of Fragrance Development Group and Perfumers to ensure optimal cross functional approach to customer projects
• Develop specific commercialisation plans based on technologies and different customers

Required Skills

• Excellent leadership and team building capabilities
• High level of business knowledge and acumen within the Fragrance industry
• Passionate about the industry and the products
• Strong communication (both written/verbal - in English)
• Creative problem solver
• Very good with change management
• Proactive
• Global mindset
• Mobile - can travel / live abroad

Required Experience

• 10-15 years experience in an international environment
• Organic (molecule) or physic chemistry background
• Graduate level degree (technical discipline)
• Excellent olfactive capabilities (candidates will be required to complete internal smelling test)
• Product application/development and R&D.
• Innovation and project management processes
• Developing and implementing new technology
• Supporting the strategic ideation process for a category / business