Director, R&D Material Science Innovation, Medical Products & Therapies (On-Site Round Lake, IL – RELOCATION Assistance Considered)

This is where you save and sustain lives

At Baxter, we are deeply connected by our mission. No matter your role at Baxter, your work makes a positive impact on people around the world. You’ll feel a sense of purpose throughout the organization, as we know our work improves outcomes for millions of patients. 

Baxter’s products and therapies are found in almost every hospital worldwide, in clinics and in the home. For over 85 years, we have pioneered significant medical innovations that transform healthcare.

Together, we create a place where we are happy, successful and inspire each other. This is where you can do your best work. 

Join us at the intersection of saving and sustaining lives— where your purpose accelerates our mission. 

Your Role at Baxter:

Baxter’s Medical Products and Therapies ($5.2B segment) includes our Infusion Therapies & Technologies and Advanced Surgery businesses.  Infusion Systems and Patient Monitoring help clinicians safely deliver medications and monitor patients at the bedside.  We’re working to enable clinicians to provide their best care to patients and safely deliver medications at the bedside. For example, we are helping elevate patient protection from the pharmacy to the bedside through our infusion pump. We are also focused on helping clinicians reduce the potential for touch contamination during setup and change of IV administration sets with single set technology for both pump and gravity medication delivery.

As a Director, R&D Material Science Innovation, you will focus on the material science related aspects of innovation and exploratory materials, products, and technologies for medical devices and drug products. Reporting to the VP, Material Characterization & Assessment, you will partner closely with multiple cross-functional organizations supporting programs intended to launch new products and platforms.  Initially you will be an individual contributor who, over time, will form their own team of 4 – 5 direct reports.

What You’ll Be Doing:

• Lead and drive innovation and exploratory materials strategies in support of Medical Products and Therapies (MPT) medical device and drug products portfolio.

• Lead pivotal exploratory initiatives with integrated functions (including Marketing and Medical Affairs).

• Implement departmental strategy and objectives that align with MPT’s vision, business, and patient needs.

• Contribute to the broader MPT Innovation strategy, product and technology roadmaps, and pre-product development pipeline across the product portfolio.

• Establish and drive long-term plans for products that incorporate green chemistry, recyclability, and sustainability considerations.

• Apply rigorous innovation methodology to identify new opportunities (both internal and external) and assess concept feasibility.

• Develop a culture of innovation across the broader R&D organization.

• Apply strong Intellectual Property strategies and protection across the pipeline applicable to global markets.

• Foster a collaborative work environment with strong working relationships across business segments, divisions, and functions, with strategic external partners, and with leading research institutions.

• Mentor and lead a team of engineers and scientists of varied professional expertise and background.

• Develop a highly effective, resilient team that is set up to scale in line with the growth of our global organization.

• Demonstrate subject matter expertise in polymer science, chemistry, novel material development, and engineering, while developing broad knowledge within MPT’s diverse product portfolio.

• Partner with and influence Sr. Management to drive long-range innovation strategies and technology investment at the divisional level, including business cases/budgets.

• Travel estimated at 25%.

Your Location:

The role is located at our R&D facility in the greater Chicago, IL area northern suburb of Round Lake.  Relocation assistance will be considered. Baxter is committed to supporting the needs for flexibility in the workplace. We do so through our flexible workplace policy which includes a required minimum number of days a week onsite. This policy provides the benefits of connecting and collaborating in-person in support of our Mission. The flexible workplace policy is subject to local laws and legal requirements. At its discretion, Baxter may decide to adjust, suspend, or discontinue as business needs change. 

What You’ll Bring:

• Master’s or PhD in Chemical Engineering, Materials Engineering, Chemistry, Physics, Materials Science, Polymer Science, or similar.

• 10 + years’ experience in new product development and/or innovation and creating intellectual property in medical device, biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, or other highly regulated industry.

• Knowledgeable in global regulatory, GMP/GLP requirements, product development process.

• Strategic leadership, impacting direction and influencing vision.

• Proven track record of building high-performing teams and talent management.

• Comfortable working with ambiguity

• Excellent communication, presentation, and relationship-building skills

#LI-JR1

We understand compensation is an important factor as you consider the next step in your career. At Baxter, we are committed to equitable pay for all our employees, and we strive to be more transparent with our pay practices. The estimated base salary for this position is $184,000 - $253,000 annually. The estimated range is meant to reflect an anticipated salary range for the position. We may pay more or less than the anticipated range based upon market data and other factors, all of which are subject to change. Individual pay is based upon location, skills and expertise, experience, and other relevant factors. This position may also be eligible for discretionary bonuses, and/or long-term incentive. For questions about this, our pay philosophy, and available benefits, please speak to the recruiter if you decide to apply and are selected for an interview.

US Benefits at Baxter (except for Puerto Rico)

This is where your well-being matters. Baxter offers comprehensive compensation and benefits packages for eligible roles. Our health and well-being benefits include medical and dental coverage that start on day one, as well as insurance coverage for basic life, accident, short-term and long-term disability, and business travel accident insurance. Financial and retirement benefits include the Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP), with the ability to purchase company stock at a discount, and the 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan (RSP), with options for employee contributions and company matching. We also offer Flexible Spending Accounts, educational assistance programs, and time-off benefits such as paid holidays, paid time off ranging from 20 to 35 days based on length of service, family and medical leaves of absence, and paid parental leave. Additional benefits include commuting benefits, the Employee Discount Program, the Employee Assistance Program (EAP), and childcare benefits. Join us and enjoy the competitive compensation and benefits we offer to our employees. For additional information regarding Baxter US Benefits, please speak with your recruiter or visit our Benefits site: Benefits | Baxter

Equal Employment Opportunity

Baxter is an equal opportunity employer. Baxter evaluates qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, protected veteran status, disability/handicap status or any other legally protected characteristic.

Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal

Reasonable Accommodations

Baxter is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities globally. If, because of a medical condition or disability, you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or interview process, please click on the link here and let us know the nature of your request along with your contact information.

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