Vice President, Global Research and Development

Kemin is seeking a Vice President of R&D to serve as the chief scientific officer for our global pet food and rendering business. Reporting directly to the Business Unit President, this leader will own the end‑to‑end innovation agenda—from discovery through commercialization—and be accountable for global R&D performance and impact.

As the senior scientific voice for the business, this role leads the discovery and application of novel molecules emerging from centralized research and external partnerships, translating cutting‑edge science into market‑ready solutions. With a strong foundation in cellular and molecular biology, the ideal candidate is both a visionary scientist and a trusted enterprise leader, shaping strategy, talent, and innovation as a core member of the Kemin Nutrisurance Leadership Team.

Join the Kemin Team and Transform Lives!

We are a privately held, family-owned-and-operated global biotechnology company driven by curiosity and committed to transforming the quality of life for people, pets, and the planet. 

We create solutions that strengthen health and wellbeing, provide nutrition and immune support for pets and production animals, safeguard the planet’s natural resources, and protect the global food supply chain for generations to come.

We supply over 500 specialty ingredients for various industries, including human and animal health and nutrition, pet food, aquaculture, nutraceutical, food technologies, crop technologies, textiles, biofuels, and animal vaccines.

We employ 3,500 global employees and operations in 90 countries, including manufacturing facilities in Belgium, Brazil, China, Egypt, India, Italy, San Marino, Singapore, South Africa, and the United States.

As a valued member of our team, you'll enjoy a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your financial, physical, and professional well-being:

• Competitive Financial Package: Enjoy a rewarding salary, uncapped bonus opportunities, a 401k match program, and generous paid vacation and holidays.
• Career Development and Advancement: Unlock your potential with opportunities for growth and development throughout your entire career.
• Continued Learning Opportunities: Grow your skills with our in-house learning platforms, offering thousands of training resources both live and online, and take advantage of tuition reimbursement for external post-secondary pursuits.
• Service Opportunities: Make a positive impact with paid time off for volunteering in your community

• Set the strategic direction and evolution of the innovation roadmap across all product platforms, aligning scientific priorities with business growth objectives and global customer needs.
• Serve as the senior scientific authority for the business, upholding the highest standards of scientific rigor, quality, and ethical conduct while enabling confident, data‑driven decision‑making.
• Provide executive oversight of product development and commercialization, ensuring the successful translation of research into differentiated, market‑ready solutions that deliver customer value.
• Partner globally with Kemin R&D leaders to share knowledge, accelerate innovation, and drive the effective commercial translation of new technologies across regions and platforms.
• Lead, develop, and inspire the R&D organization, strengthening technical capability while fostering a highly engaged, high‑performance culture.
• Build a strong and sustainable leadership pipeline by hiring, coaching, mentoring, and developing R&D managers and technical experts through organizational design and talent development.
• Shape and prioritize the research portfolio by identifying novel scientific opportunities and advancing technologies that expand or enhance the product pipeline.
• Govern innovation execution through Kemin’s Product Innovation Process, ensuring disciplined prioritization, resource allocation, and timely progression from concept to commercialization.
• Ensure regulatory compliance for novel technologies across global markets through close collaboration with regional regulatory teams.

• Education and Experience:
  • PhD in Biochemistry, or cellular and molecular biology
  • A minimum of five years of experience in a functional leadership capacity. 
  • A minimum of ten years experience with a proven track record of develpoing products in a lead position. Experience in gut health, microbiome preferred.   Pet food and rendering experience highly desirable. Regulatory experience highly preferred. 
• Demonstrated track record of accomplishment in product commercialization by taking products based on new technologies from laboratory and launching it successfully in the markets.
• Leads and develops a diverse, multidisciplinary organization, including central discovery teams and geographically distributed regional application teams, fostering collaboration, inclusion, and high performance.
• A strong bias for action. A balanced approach between strategic thinking and tactical skills, not letting perfection get in the way of progress.
• Exceptional communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills
• Highly organized, detailed minded with the ability to effectively manage multiple projects and initiatives simultaneously.
• Demonstrates a servant-leader mindset with strong presence and likability, holds self and others accountable, and brings an entrepreneurial, business‑building drive to succeed.
• High energy, tenacity, and willingness to go the extra mile.
• Travel up to 50%. 

We are an equal opportunity employer. We consider all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, creed/religion, national origin, ancestry, citizenship or immigration status (where applicable), sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy/childbirth/breastfeeding or related conditions, age (40+), disability (including the use of a service animal), genetic information, marital status, familial or caregiver status, military or veteran status, status as a victim of domestic violence, reproductive health decision‑making, and any other status protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. We also prohibit retaliation for raising concerns or participating in an EEO process. Applicants who need a reasonable accommodation to apply or interview can email TalentAcquisition.US@Kemin.com.

A post-offer background check and drug screen is required.  Additional pre-employment requirements may be necessary based on position.

Kemin is a drug-free and tobacco-free campus. 

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