Director of Lipid R&D
Description
Location - Tromso, Norway
Salary - 1,400,000 - 1,800,000 NOK
POSITION SUMMARY
The Director of Lipid R&D is a high-impact leadership role responsible for establishing and heading Nordic Naturals’ exclusive lipid research hub in Norway. This individual will lead the identification and development of proprietary, sustainable marine and/or lipid-based ingredients to justify Nordic Naturals' premium positioning and "Why Nordic" story. The Director will act as the primary bridge between external the Norwegian marine research ecosystem and the internal US-based commercial teams, ensuring that technical innovation directly fuels the product pipeline for Heart Health Cognitive Health, Prenatal, and Healthy Aging categories per Nordic Naturals innovation priorities as defined by the marketing organization. This role will also need to collaborate closely with our Nordic Pharma oil manufacturing team near Tromso Norway.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Reasonable Accommodations Statement
To accomplish this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform, with or without reasonable accommodation, each essential function satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to help enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
- Develop and execute the long-term strategy for exclusive lipid ingredient development, focusing on proprietary marine-based concentrates, algal-based ingredients, and microbial oils.
- Build and maintain high-level strategic relationships with key Norwegian research institutes and universities, such as NOFIMA, SINTEF, University of Bergen, etc
- Lead the development of novel lipid processing technologies (e.g., supercritical extraction, micro-encapsulation) with the goal of generating patentable intellectual property.
- Identify and secure Norwegian research grants and public-private funding opportunities to offset R&D costs and leverage local marine expertise.
- Recruit, mentor, and manage a high-performing technical team in Norway, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and scientific rigor.
- Manage individual and team performance and growth, creating a culture of continuous improvement, and ensuring that the team environment consistently aligns with Nordic Naturals’ organizational objectives
- Partner closely with US-based Marketing, Research and Product Development teams to ensure exclusive ingredients meet consumer needs and are transferred effectively for desired health claims.
- Oversee laboratory and pilot plant operations to de-risk the transition from bench-top discovery to industrial-scale production.
- Research, qualify, and manage relationships with local raw material vendors and specialized marine suppliers.
- Leads the PD team through process of perfecting formulations and processes across various locations
- Partner with PD Project Management to track projects and establish timelines that are attainable
- Manage the startup and maintenance of pilot plant operations
- Implementation of knowledge management strategies to improve access and accuracy of technical data to the appropriate functions
- Support professional growth for direct reports and foster positive team environment
POSITION QUALIFICATIONS
Competency Statements
- Innovative: Ability to look beyond standard industry solutions to find novel lipid sources and stabilization methods.
- Research Skills: Expert ability to design and conduct systematic, objective, and critical investigations into lipid chemistry and marine bio-actives.
- Communication: Exceptional ability to communicate complex scientific data clearly to non-technical US stakeholders and executive leadership.
- Strategic Alignment: Proven capability to manage a project pipeline through an innovation stage-gate process to ensure commercial accountability.
- Positive - Ability to view all situations with a positive attitude.
- Organized - Possessing the trait of being organized or following a systematic method of performing a task.
- Detail Oriented - Ability to pay attention to the minute details of a project or task.
- Problem Solving - Ability to find a solution for or to deal proactively with work-related problems.
SKILLS & ABILITIES
Computer Skills
Must be proficient with MS Office and have excellent Excel skills for data analysis and ROI modeling
Other Requirements
Education: Ph.D. in Biochemistry, Organic Chemistry, Marine Biotechnology, or a related field focusing on lipid/marine ingredient development.
Experience: 10+ years of experience in lipid or marine research and development, with at least 5 years in a senior leadership role within the nutrition, pharma, or specialty chemical industries.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
|
Physical Demands |
Lift/Carry |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Push/Pull |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
N (Not Applicable) |
Activity is not applicable to this occupation. |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
O (Occasionally) |
Occupation requires this activity up to 33% of the time (0 - 2.5+ hrs/day) |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
F (Frequently) |
Occupation requires this activity from 33% - 66% of the time (2.5 - 5.5+ hrs/day) |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
C (Constantly) |
Occupation requires this activity more than 66% of the time (5.5+ hrs/day) |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Other Physical Requirements
Vision (Near, Distance)
Sense of Sound (Must be able to use a multi-line phone)
WORK ENVIRONMENT
Works in a climate controlled environment.
As published by greenhouse · 10 questions
Basics
First Name, Last Name, Email, Phone, Resume/CV, Cover Letter, Location
Short answers (3)
- Preferred First Name optional
- LinkedIn Profile optional
- How did you hear about this position?
Pick from a list (7)
- Will you be able to provide proof of your identity and employment eligibility if you are hired?
- Will you now or in the future require sponsorship for employment visa status (e.g., H-1B visa status)?
- I hereby authorize Nordic Naturals, to thoroughly investigate my references, work record, education and other matters related to my suitability for employment and, further, authorize the references I have listed to disclose to the company any and all letters, reports and other information related to my work records, without giving me prior notice of such disclosure. In addition, I hereby release the Company, my former employers and all other persons, corporations, partnerships and associations from any and all claims, demands or liabilities arising out of or in any way related to such investigation or disclosure.
- I hereby certify that I have not knowingly withheld any information that might adversely affect my chances for employment and that the answers given by me are true and correct to the best of my knowledge. I further certify that I, the undersigned applicant, have personally completed this application. I understand that any omission or misstatement of material fact on this application or on any document used to secure employment shall be grounds for rejection of this application or for immediate discharge if I am employed, regardless of the time elapsed before discovery.
- I understand that nothing contained in the application or conveyed during any interview which may be granted or during my employment, if hired, is intended to create an employment contract between me and the Company. In addition, I understand and agree that if I am employed, my employment is for no definite or determinable period and may be terminated at any time, with or without prior notice, at the option of either myself or the Company and that no promises or representations contrary to the foregoing are binding on the Company unless made in writing and signed by me and the Company’s designated representative.
- Should a search of public records (including records documenting an arrest, indictment, conviction, civil judicial action, tax lien or outstanding judgment) be conducted by internal personnel employed by the Company. I am entitled to copies of any such public records obtained by the Company unless I indicate waiver below. If I am not hired as a result of such information, I am entitled to a copy of any such records even though I have waived below.
- I waive receipt of a copy of any public record described in the paragraph above.