Head of Competence Center Process Technology and Chemistry (m/f/d)

at  Borealis

YOU WILL:

• Provide strategic, technical and scientific leadership in the area of Process Technology
• Lead the regular update of the long term competence center strategy and be responsible for its implementation, thereby play an active role in enabling technology leadership in Borealis’ core Polyolefin, Hydrocarbons and Recycling process technologies
• Collaborate closely with peer function teams and communicate complex technical topics and decisions within the department and to project and management teams and provide effective technical and scientific leadership at the R&D interfaces
• Be responsible for budget and business planning, investment planning and people management in the process technology area
• Closely align with Borealis internal stakeholders e.g. Asset Development, Technical Development, Operations, other competence areas as well as project- and portfolio managers to identify new technology trends, business opportunities and needs, to exchange knowledge and provide support
• Deliver on projects by making sure that researchers and scientists are assigned properly, that contributions and results are in line with customer- and business needs and at a high scientific level
• Develop and maintain knowledge and capabilities in these competence fields including understanding of technology trends, patent strategies and competitor analysis
• Drive highest HSE and Q standards and performance and lead the team to working safely by creating awareness and commitment for safety

ABOUT YOU

We are looking for a seasoned technical professional and expert with a PhD degree in chemical engineering, (technical) chemistry or similar (potentially also an MBA). As a manager in the (petro)chemical industry you have already demonstrated your ability to lead a diverse team of Competence Managers and high-level technical experts across multiple sites and in a matrix structure.
You are known for being a sound decision maker, someone who enjoys challenging the status quo and who has an excellent intercultural understanding. You are a conceptual thinker with an eye for the global view and details at the same time.
Overall, you are a trustworthy person, leader and partner for your team as well as for internal and external stakeholders and customers.

ABOUT THE ROLE

Location: Austria, Linz or Finland, Porvoo
Hours: Full-Time
Type of Contract: Permanent

WE ARE OFFERING A UNIQUE AND CRUCIAL FUNCTION IN OUR R&D ORGANISATION WITH A WIDE RANGE OF MANAGERIAL AND TECHNICAL RESPONSIBILITIES. AN INFLUENTIAL ROLE THAT ALLOWS YOU TO LEAD A TEAM OF EXPERTS, SCIENTISTS AND ENGINEERS, SHAPING THE FUTURE OF PROCESS TECHNOLOGY.

Our three main R&D centers in Austria, Finland and Sweden with more than 500 employees in total and continuous investments in R&D - as well as our overall company strategy - show the importance of R&D and innovation for Borealis. We value an open, international and diverse culture that is driven by our motto “Re-inventing Essentials for Sustainable Living”. We are eager to continue developing new technologies and novel, value-added products that will benefit society as a whole.
Reporting to our “Director Science & Engineering”, you will contribute to this journey by being responsible for three teams with up to 50 people in total and across different locations. These teams work on the development and improvement of all chemical processes along the Borealis Polyolefin, Catalyst and Hydrocarbons value network - including the exciting new field of recycling. You will build the team’s capabilities and oversee the process technology area. This role is a strategic partner in the Science & Engineering Management Team, that provides a high level of technical expertise in support of strategic decisions on process technology.