Director of Research, Development & Engineering - Canadian Operations

ChampionX has an immediate need for a Director of Research, Development & Engineering - Canadian Operations​ located in Calgary, AB. This individual will head the Research, Development and Engineering (RD&E) group for the Canadian Business Unit. The candidate will be responsible for leading development and deployment of innovative technology solutions to achieve the business objectives by building sustainable technology advantages that deliver margin expansion and top-line growth. This individual will be a senior leader within the global Chemical Technologies RD&E management team and will receive program direction from the Vice President RD&E & General Manager Canada. This position will report to the Vice President RD&E for ChampionX Chemical Technologies.

This position is based in Calgary, Canada and will be responsible for leading the regional technology team of 30+ scientists and engineers in laboratories located in Calgary and in Edmonton. Additionally, this individual will work in close collaboration with global business, RD&E and marketing counterparts in other global laboratory locations to ensure global connectivity.

This role requires a people-oriented leader with strong business acumen and a track record of success working in a global, matrixed, cross-functional environment. Must be able to integrate multiple technologies in formulating technology strategies for a variety of production technology areas. The candidate will have to be adept in working in collaboration with business leaders in understanding the needs of our customers for new solutions and balancing short- and long-term requirements of the business with the need to drive sustainable innovation. In addition, the incumbent will be expected to partner with sales leadership and establish influential relationships with customers, key opinion leaders and relevant trade organizations. The upstream production chemicals market is a critical growth area for ChampionX and we have excellent technologies and the leading global franchise. We are looking for an innovative leader with strategic vision to advance market opportunities incorporating enabling technologies such as new delivery systems, sensors and leveraging data analytics/digital connectivity to complement our deep chemical expertise in our future value propositions to our customers.

What's in it For You:

• The ability to make an impact and shape your career with a company that is passionate about growth.
• The support of an organization that believes it is vital to include and engage diverse people, perspectives, and ideas to achieve our best.
• Thrive in a company that values sustainability, drives a safety-focused culture and has been recognized as one of the most ethical companies in the world.
• Comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, dental, vision, a company-paid pension plan, stock purchase plan, tuition reimbursement and more!

What You Will Do:

• Owns the operational safety of the Canadian RD&E Organization. Embeds a culture of safety throughout their team and ensures that all activities are performed in a manner that conforms to company safety and regulatory requirements and policies. Reinforces the company safety culture and holds personnel accountable for good safety practice. Focuses on achieving our goal of zero harm to personnel and to the environment.
• Develops organizational talent and succession plans and provides ongoing coaching and mentoring for staff. Owns the strategy for team and organizational development, including safety and employee engagement.
• Leads the Canadian RD&E Organization to meet the business growth and operational objectives:

(a) Develops and drives technology roadmap for the Canadian production chemicals business in collaboration with marketing counterparts and aligns resources to ensure profitable growth and optimal global resource/spend leverage.

(b) Builds and deploys a strategy to ensure resources with required technical and leadership skills are deployed effectively and globally, in alignment with business growth priorities.

(c) Supports the portfolio management process to ensure innovation pipeline meets business growth targets and ensures commercial effectiveness within new and modified products metrics. Manages resource allocations to support the current business and new product projects from ideation to successful launch execution.

(d) Supports the new ideation process, and ensures new concepts are prioritized and tied to customer requirements. Ensures global and cross divisional opportunities are considered with established global communication paths for improved leverage across priority geographies, customers segments and accounts.

(e) Drives the execution phases of new product development initiatives, developing organizational competencies in project management for continuous improvement.

(f) Leads customer technical support operation, ensuring resources are prioritized on highest value opportunities and high-quality output is maintained.

(g) Works closely with Supply Chain and Marketing functions to maximize operational innovation through the development of Value Chain Optimization.

• Participates on Canadian Leadership Team providing technical counsel on technology advancements, new product and service opportunities, and improvements in operational/organizational efficiencies and productivity. Member of Chemical Technologies RD&E Leadership team, driving enhancements to improve overall return on R&D investment.
• Responsible for environmental and regulatory compliance and maintains awareness of current and pending regulatory changes.
• Actively works with key customers to understand technical challenges and industry direction and ensures resources are aligned to deliver on commitments.
• Ensures the development and utility of intellectual property, through patent filings, trade secrets, and the support of technical notebooks and reports.
• Ensures ongoing external awareness of technology, competitors, and emerging and disruptive opportunities.
• Represents ChampionX to key customers, academia and trade organizations. Establishes active leadership role in key external organizations.

Position Details:

• Candidate must reside in Calgary, AB or the surrounding area.
• Immigration sponsorship is not available for this role.

Qualifications:

• Advanced degree in chemistry, engineering, biology, or related scientific/technical discipline required. PhD preferred.
• Ten or more years of relevant experience including technology strategy development & implementation, leading & developing teams, and driving innovation.
• Requires track record of successful technology development, new product / service launch and leveraging of external technology.
• Excellent communication skills and ability to engage well with customers to translate their needs into effective programs.
• Significant experience operating in global technical and business environments.
• Proven track record of global organization development. Agile change agent skills.

About ChampionX:

ChampionX is a global leader in providing chemistry programs and services, drilling technology, artificial lift solutions, and automation technologies for the upstream and midstream oil and gas industry. Our world-class safety culture fuels our purpose to improve lives through our commitment to deliver sustainable operations.

Our Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion 

At ChampionX, we believe the best teams are diverse and inclusive, and we are on a journey to create a workplace where every employee can grow and achieve their best. We are committed to fair and equal treatment of employees and applicants. We recruit, hire, promote, transfer and provide opportunities for advancement on the basis of individual qualifications and job performance. In all matters affecting employment, compensation, benefits, working conditions, and opportunities for advancement, we will not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, religion, color, creed, national origin, citizenship status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expressions, genetic information, marital status, age, disability, or status as a covered veteran. 

In addition, we are committed to furthering the principles of Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) through Affirmative Action (AA). Our goal is to fully utilize minority, female, disabled and covered veteran individuals at all levels of the workforce.  

We will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with criminal histories, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws, including the City of Los Angeles’ Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance and the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance.