Global Vice President of R&D (Core Products) (1083175)

Our client is currently seeking a Global Vice President of R&D & Technology for their Core Products Business segment. The Global VP will be based in the Lexington, KY area. A 100% Full Relocation Package is available!

The VP will oversee the full portfolio of products across multiple business segments and be responsible for maintaining and enhancing the performance, market relevance, and compliance of each product line to meet global standards. With a focus on ensuring product consistency, quality, and sustainability, the role demands a strategic approach to product lifecycle management, aligning product offerings with customer needs, OEM requirements, and competitive benchmarks. This position will lead global product teams, collaborating closely with engineering, sales, marketing, supply chain, and technical teams to drive business growth.

This person needs to be technically strong but with an executive-level business acumen, possessing excellent leadership and people management skills. Someone who can develop and execute a broader vision and world-class strategic approach.

Interested professionals should contact Lee Douglas at and send a copy of their current resume to .

Responsibilities:

• Lead, mentor, and develop a global team of product line technical leads, fostering a culture of innovation, quality, sustainability, and accountability.
• Develop and execute product management strategies that ensure relevance, competitiveness, and profitability across global markets.
• Oversee the product lifecycle from conceptualization through to phase-out, focusing on performance optimization and market alignment.
• Identify and address gaps in the current product offerings and align with emerging market trends and customer demands.
• Partner with technical organization, marketing, product strategy, and regional commercial teams to integrate feedback and ensure product quality and performance.
• Coordinate with global product teams to maintain consistent product standards and drive improvements across all regions.
• Ensure that all products meet regulatory, environmental, and OEM standards, staying ahead of any changes that impact product requirements.
• Collaborate with quality control and compliance teams to guarantee that all product lines maintain the highest levels of quality and reliability.

Qualifications & Requirements:

• Master's Degree in Chemistry or Chemical Engineering; Ph.D. preferred.
• 10+ years of direct industry experience in lubricants, greases, or industrial fluids.
• Direct experience in R&D, product development, and product lifecycle management.
• Strong technical background in engineering fundamentals including lubrication, thermodynamics, tribology, heat