The Head of Science & Technology will be responsible for establishing a new function from the ground up, focused on strengthening product formulations, improving process robustness, and driving scientific excellence across the business. This role requires an experienced, hands-on leader who can diagnose current challenges, set a strategic direction, and build the structure, capabilities, and resources needed for long-term success. It is an exceptional opportunity for a technically strong, strategically minded individual with the ability to influence, collaborate, and lead transformation in an evolving environment.

Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Vision

• Establish the Science & Technology function, defining its mission, operating model, and long-term strategy.
• Conduct a full diagnostic of existing product formulations, manufacturing processes, and technology gaps.
• Develop a multi-year plan for scientific capability development, talent acquisition, and resource requirements.
• Act as a key advisor to senior leadership on scientific and technical matters impacting product quality, performance, and operational efficiency.

• Lead troubleshooting of formulation challenges to improve product stability, efficacy, and manufacturability.
• Evaluate and strengthen process robustness across production, identifying root causes of variability and implementing scientifically sound solutions.
• Support R&D efforts, leveraging pharmaceutical-grade methodologies and best practices.
• Champion scientific rigor in experimental design, method development, validation, and documentation.

• Build strong relationships with Manufacturing, Quality, Regulatory, Operations, and Commercial teams to ensure alignment and smooth project execution.
• Provide scientific leadership to project teams, influencing without direct authority in a matrixed environment.
• Play a key role in shaping the company’s technical culture, fostering collaboration, continuous improvement, and evidence-based decision-making.

• Identify critical roles and skill sets needed for the newly established function.
• Develop job descriptions, lead hiring processes, and onboard new scientific and technical talent.
• Mentor future team members and establish a high-performance culture rooted in curiosity, accountability, and innovation.

• Degree in Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chemical Engineering, Formulation Science, or related discipline; advanced degree a strong advantage.
• Strong track record in troubleshooting formulation issues and improving process robustness.
• Experience in pharmaceuticals is an advantage.

• Demonstrated ability to build a function, team, or capability from scratch, ideally in a scaling or rapidly evolving environment.
• Strong influencing skills with the ability to drive change without formal authority.
• High emotional intelligence, diplomacy, and interpersonal maturity; able to navigate ambiguity and evolving structures.
• Strategic thinker capable of balancing big-picture planning with hands-on technical engagement.
• Excellent communicator with the ability to translate complex technical concepts for diverse stakeholders.

• On-site presence is mandatory due to the hands-on nature of science and engineering activities.
• Comfortable operating in an environment with minimal existing processes, establishing structure where needed.
• Passion for innovation, and scientific excellence.