R&D Director

Are you ready to take up a Strategic R&D leadership role to integrate multi-site formulation labs and shape the next phase of sustainable innovation? Then please, read on.

Ajinomoto Agro Solutions is the specialty agriculture business unit of the global Ajinomoto Group . With around 175 employees, the division combines the stability of a large multinational with the agility and entrepreneurial spirit of a medium-sized company. They operate two core businesses: TensioFix in Belgium, focusing on adjuvants and the transition to green surfactants, and a fast-growing biostimulant business in Spain. The company has experienced over 10% annual growth in the last five years and has the ambition to double its turnover by 2030. They offer a dynamic environment with significant room for maneuver and the opportunity to make a tangible impact.

The Team

The successful candidate will lead a team of approximately 14 specialists spread across two main laboratories. The lab in Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium, consists of about 5 experienced professionals. The lab in Valencia, Spain, has a team of around 9 people with a mix of senior and junior profiles. This position is a member of the Agro Solutions Leadership Team and reports directly to the General Manager. The working language within the leadership team is English. They value collaboration and a straightforward, results-oriented approach.

Functie

As the R&D Director you will hold a key strategic leadership position responsible for unifying and directing the company's laboratory activities. This is a managerial role focused on strategy, organization, and integration, not a hands‑on laboratory position. Your main objectives will be to create a single, cohesive 'Agro Lab' and ensure its optimal performance.

Key responsibilities:

• Leading and managing the formulation and application laboratories in Belgium (Louvain-la‑Neuve) and Spain (Valencia).
• Driving the strategic integration of both labs into one efficient and collaborative unit.
• Optimizing the organization of the workload and improving operational efficiency, with a particular focus on balancing customer‑driven projects and long‑term innovation initiatives.
• Managing the departmental budget, including OPEX and CAPEX.
• Serving as the crucial link between the Innovation department and the labs, ensuring that new ideas are translated into viable, scalable, and marketable products.
• Providing strategic input based on technical knowledge and market trends, particularly in the adjuvants sector, to support the innovation pipeline.

Profiel

For this strategic role, you combine technical expertise with strong leadership capabilities. You recognize yourself in the following characteristics:

• A strategic thinker with demonstrated experience in a leadership role.
• Strong organizational skills, with the ability to structure processes and optimize team workloads effectively.
• Experience in managing scientific or technical teams, preferably across multiple sites.
• A collaborative mindset, with the ability to build bridges between different departments such as R&D, innovation, and commercial teams.
• Enjoys working in a dynamic and international environment.

Your Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years of experience leading complex formulation projects within an R&D or innovation environment, including strategic decision‑making, team leadership, and laboratory oversight.
• Master’s or PhD degree in Chemistry, Bioengineering, Agricultural Sciences, or a related scientific discipline.
• Proven experience in the chemical industry, preferably in sectors such as detergents, food ingredients, oil & gas, agrochemicals, surfactants, or adjuvants.
• Fluent in English (written and spoken); knowledge of French, Dutch, or Spanish is considered an asset.

Aanbod

This is an opportunity to take on a high‑impact role within a fast‑growing and ambitious organization. You will have a high degree of autonomy and the chance to shape a key function for the future. In addition, they offer:

• A competitive salary package
• A company car.
• A comprehensive benefits package including a pension plan, meal vouchers, health insurance, and a net expense allowance.
• A full‑time, permanent contract.
• The opportunity to work in a dynamic environment that combines the stability of a multinational with the agility of a medium‑sized business.

Location

You stay in Louvain-la‑Neuve (Belgium) and travel regularly to Montaverner in Spain. This involves being present in the laboratory in Spain for one to two weeks per month.

Respond

Ajinomoto Agro Solutions has exclusively outsourced the Recruitment and Selection for the R&D Director position to CeresRecruitment. For more information, you can contact Jan Palmaers at . More information about the organization can be found at their corporate website

The application procedure

• Telephone contact with a Ceres consultant.
• Personal interview with a Ceres consultant.
• Presentation/introduction to the client.
• 1st interview with the client, this will be the HR‑team.
• 2nd interview with the client with the Director Agro and VP Global Innovation.
• Job offer.
• Agreement on both sides? Congratulations on your new job.