R&D Director

Driven by our vision for sustainable growth and innovation, we are seeking an R&D Director to lead our innovation and sustainability transformation. The ideal candidate will proactively analyze market dynamics, customer expectations, technological developments, and future industry needs, while bringing a strong commercial perspective to R&D strategy and execution.

This role will be responsible for developing an R&D roadmap aligned with the company’s strategic priorities; leading new product, application, and technology development activities with a focus on commercial value and sustainability; fostering a culture of innovation; managing the R&D project portfolio; and ensuring that developed solutions create measurable value for the market, customers, and the company.

Qualifications

We are looking for a candidate who has:

• A bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, or a related field; preferably supported by a master’s or PhD degree,

• Senior-level management experience in R&D, product development, and/or application development,

• Strong ability to analyze market dynamics, customer needs, technological trends, and commercial opportunities,

• A strategic, analytical, and business-oriented mindset,

• Knowledge and experience in innovation management, transformation management, and sustainability practices,

• Proven expertise in new product development, R&D project portfolio management, and process development,

• Comprehensive knowledge of R&D Center regulations, incentives, grants, and support programs,

• Strong ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams and support result-oriented, value-creating business processes,

• Strong problem-solving, decision-making, and change management capabilities,

• Advanced proficiency in English.

Key Responsibilities

The R&D Director will be responsible for:

• Analyzing current and emerging customer needs, industry trends, technological developments, regulations, and competitive dynamics to define innovative product and application development strategies,

• Developing an R&D, product development, and application development roadmap aligned with company strategy,

• Leading the end-to-end management of new products and technologies, from ideation through development, pilot implementation, and commercialization,

• Managing, prioritizing, monitoring, and continuously improving the R&D, product development, and application development project portfolio with a focus on commercial value creation,

• Ensuring that project management systems, processes, and governance structures operate effectively, measurably, and sustainably,

• Developing strategic collaborations with universities, technology companies, suppliers, start-ups, research institutions, and industry stakeholders,

• Identifying and following up on opportunities related to R&D Centers, incentives, grants, and support programs, and leading initiatives that create value for the company,

• Managing intellectual property, patents, know-how, and technical knowledge management processes,

• Integrating sustainability into the R&D strategy,

• Ensuring that environmental impact, resource efficiency, regulatory compliance, and long-term value creation are considered in new product and application development activities,

• Developing innovative solutions that support the company’s sustainable growth objectives,

• Contributing to projects that create competitive advantage in areas such as circular economy, carbon footprint reduction, energy efficiency, and raw material efficiency.

What are waiting for you here !

Applications that support your development

• Participation in Job Orientation and AKSA Recognition Training specific to the process steps within the scope of job adaptation,

• Opportunity to participate in personal development, professional development and leadership training within the scope of our Corporate Training Academy,

• Outside fairs, training and company visit opportunities abroad,

• Master's/PhD support program,

• Foreign language support program,

Work-Life Balance

• The opportunity to work 4 days a week, which we implemented as a first in Turkey,

• Private accommodation for employees,

• Benefit package,

• Aksa Social Event Team activities (Sailing, book, running, trekking clubs),

• Service Opportunity: Asian side of İstanbul, On the Yalova-Kocaeli (Karamürsel-Gölcük-Başiskele), Bursa.

Recruitment Process

• Receiving applications,

• Preliminary evaluation to be made in line with the criteria,

• Sending personality inventory and interview process to shortlisted candidates,

• English exam,

• Senior management meeting

• Offer.