Director, Segment Innovation – Advanced Development

Role Overview

• Set the innovation direction by defining and owning global technology and application roadmaps for key innovation segments, aligned with business strategy and focused on closing critical technology gaps.
• Drive innovation from strategy to impact by translating roadmaps into clear execution plans with defined milestones, resources, and deliverables. Lead application innovation from concept to implementation, including incubation, MVP/prototyping, and business handover.
• Act as the global integrator of application and technology expertise, ensuring transparency, alignment, and reuse of know‑how across regions and functions.
• Build and scale global application expertise, ensuring availability and accessibility of application know‑how for both internal teams and external customers, and strengthening capabilities within application development and engineering teams.
• Lead Computer Aided Engineering (CAE) as a core strategic capability, positioning it as a customer‑facing door opener for early OEM/ODM collaboration. Ensure global coordination and harmonization of CAE tools, methods, software, hardware, and skills.
• Maintain and expand expertise in post‑processing and manufacturing technologies, including welding, laser marking, NMT, SMT, and related operations, ensuring strong support for internal and external stakeholders.
• Embed sustainability, circular economy, and regulatory perspectives into technology scouting, application development, and innovation roadmaps.
• Lead a global, multidisciplinary SIAD organization by developing high‑performing teams, building talent and succession pipelines, and balancing near‑term value delivery with long‑term innovation.
• Translate innovation into business value, enabling early customer engagement, supporting IP generation, strengthening Envalior’s positioning as an innovation partner, and ensuring effective handover to R&D, commercial, and business line organizations.
• Represent SIAD externally and internally, building strong networks with customers, partners, startups, and innovation ecosystems while ensuring cross‑functional alignment.
• Leads organizational transformation by balancing near‑term value delivery with long‑term ambition, protecting space for future‑oriented innovation while ensuring effective business translation, and driving the adoption of new technologies, operating models, and mindsets across global R&D and commercial interfaces.

Requirements

• Master’s degree in Engineering, Natural Sciences, Materials/Polymer Science, Chemical Engineering, or Business Innovation
• Ph.D. preferred, not required
• 10+ years in innovation, R&D, advanced development, venturing, or marketing‑related roles in international B2B environments, with 5+ years leading global, multidisciplinary teams
• Experience translating technology into market‑relevant solutions
• Cross‑industry exposure (automotive, electronics, consumer goods) or innovation consulting valued
• Polymer/materials background beneficial but not essential
• Customer‑facing and global/matrix experience preferred
• Proven people and team management capability

Key Skills & Competencies

• Innovation incubation (scouting → MVP → handover)
• Strategic thinking and foresight
• Operating effectively in ambiguity
• Business model innovation mindset
• Strong communication and stakeholder influencing skills
• IP awareness and portfolio mindset
• Technical credibility in materials, applications, and manufacturing (e.g. injection molding, compounding, testing)
• Change expert, balancing short‑term impact with long‑term ambition.
• Fluent in English (additional European language a plus)
• Willing to travel 25–30%
• Location: Dormagen or Geleen (office‑based / hybrid)

Benefits

WHY ENVALIOR?

Competitive Compensation:

Join us at Envalior and enjoy competitive compensation packages, inclusive of a global bonus program and performance bonuses, ensuring your hard work is recognized and rewarded.

Comprehensive Benefits:

Your well-being matters to us. At Envalior, we provide an array of benefits supporting your financial security, health, and overall well-being. This includes retirement plans, health programs, life insurance, and comprehensive medical care.

Work-Life Balance & Flexibility:

Maintain a healthy balance between work and personal life with Envalior's commitment to supporting your schedule.

Training & Development Opportunities:

At Envalior, your growth matters. We encourage and invest in your professional and personal development. We support our employees in their growth and personal development through ongoing investment in their knowledge and skills via training, coaching, and mentoring.

Diversity & Inclusion:

At Envalior, our people drive our success, so it’s only right that we provide a diverse and inclusive working environment and foster a culture of belonging, openness, and respect. We value diversity as a cornerstone of our success. We are committed to nurturing and empowering every individual to reach their full potential.