Chief Technology Officer - R&D Polymer Materials, Compounding & Innovation

Teknor Apex is a global provider of compounding solutions, driven by technical expertise, customer focus, innovation, partnership, sustainability, and integrity. With operations across North America, Europe, and Asia, we bring together global talent and capabilities to deliver customized solutions for customers worldwide.

To support our global growth strategy, we are seeking an experienced Chief Technology Officer to lead Teknor Apex’s technology, innovation, and R&D agenda. This executive role will shape the company’s technology vision, strengthen global technical capabilities, and accelerate the development and commercialization of differentiated products, materials, and processes.

Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer , the CTO will serve as a key member of the executive leadership team and partner closely with global business leaders, value chain leaders, technical teams, sales, marketing, and business development. This role offers significant enterprise-wide impact and the opportunity to help shape Teknor Apex’s future growth and competitive position.

Key Responsibilities

Technology Strategy and Leadership

• Develop and execute a global technology strategy aligned with Teknor Apex’s long-term business objectives, growth priorities, and customer needs.
• Serve as the company’s senior technology leader, providing direction across R&D, product development, technical service, process innovation, and emerging technologies.
• Partner with executive and business leaders to identify technology-enabled opportunities for growth, differentiation, and operational improvement.
• Develop automation and digital strategies to advance the speed of product development and sampling.
• Development of sustainable materials that are commercially viable.
• Develop and commercialize biomaterial platforms.

Innovation and R&D

• Lead the innovation roadmap and R&D portfolio, ensuring alignment with market opportunities, customer requirements, sustainability goals, and value chain strategies.
• Drive new products, materials, services, and technologies from concept through commercialization.
• Strengthen innovation processes, including idea generation, technical feasibility, stage‑gate management, commercialization, and performance measurement.

Technical Capability and Team Development

• Build and lead a high‑performing global technical organization with the capabilities, structure, and talent required to support business growth.
• Develop technical leaders and promote a culture of collaboration, accountability, scientific rigor, continuous improvement, and customer‑focused innovation.
• Advance core competencies in materials science, polymer technology, compounding, process engineering, application development, and data‑driven technical decision‑making.

Cross‑Functional and External Collaboration

• Partner with sales, marketing, operations, procurement, quality, regulatory, and business development teams to ensure technology initiatives support business priorities and customer expectations.
• Develop strategic relationships with customers, suppliers, universities, research institutions, technology providers, and industry organizations.
• Represent Teknor Apex externally as a senior technical leader with customers, partners, and key industry stakeholders.

Governance, Compliance, and Risk Management

• Ensure technology, R&D, and innovation activities comply with applicable regulations, industry standards, customer requirements, and corporate policies.
• Manage technology and R&D budgets, resource allocation, project priorities, intellectual property considerations, and return on investment.
• Provide regular updates to the CEO, executive leadership team, and board of directors on technology strategy, innovation progress, R&D performance, and key initiatives.

Qualifications

• Advanced degree in Engineering, Polymer Science, Materials Science, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or a related technical field required. PhD preferred.
• Minimum of 10 to 15 years of progressive leadership experience in technology, R&D, product development, innovation, or technical leadership, specifically within specialty materials, compounding, polymers, chemicals, manufacturing, or a related industry.
• Proven ability to develop and execute technology strategies that drive growth, innovation, commercialization, and competitive differentiation.
• Demonstrated success leading global technical or R&D teams in a complex, customer‑focused organization.
• Strong understanding of innovation management, product development, R&D portfolio management, regulatory requirements, sustainability, quality, and product stewardship.
• Excellent strategic thinking, business acumen, communication, executive presence, influencing, and problem‑solving skills.
• Ability to operate effectively in a dynamic, global, matrixed environment while managing multiple priorities and stakeholders.