Director R&D - Performance & Analytical Testing

DESCRIPTION

Driven by a commitment to research, quality, and service, PDI provides innovative products, educational resources, training, and support to prevent infection transmission and promote health and wellness. Encompassing three areas, our Healthcare, Sani Professional and Contract manufacturing divisions, we develop, manufacture, and distribute leading edge products for North America and the world. We have several locations across the US and are looking for new Associates to join our team!

POSITION PURPOSE

The Director of Performance & Analytical Testing is a R&D leader within the Product Development Delivery (PDD) team, responsible for ensuring robust, compliant, and executionready analytical, compatibility, and performance testing in support of PDI's endtoend product development pipeline.

This role owns the strategy, execution, and continuous improvement of analytical and performance testing capabilities that enable timely, highquality, and compliant product development and launch readiness across FDA and EPA regulated product categories. The Director ensures testing programs are scientifically sound, riskbased, and aligned to regulatory expectations while driving accountability for results, disciplined execution, and strong people development.

As a leader within Product Development Delivery, this role partners closely with Product Development, Microbiology, Quality, Regulatory, Packaging, and Operations to translate product requirements into executable testing strategies that support on time commercialization and longterm product performance. The Director is accountable for building highperforming teams, establishing clear ownership, and delivering measurable outcomes.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND BASIC DUTIES

General

• Own and lead the analytical, compatibility, and performance attribute testing strategies for new and existing products across FDA and EPA regulated portfolios.
• Ensure test methods, protocols, and validation approaches are scientifically rigorous, regulatoryappropriate, and fitfor
• Drive riskbased testing strategies that balance speed to market, product robustness, and compliance.
• Ensure analytical and performance data clearly support product claims, specifications, shelf life, and intended use.
• Partner with R&D teams to integrate testing timelines, deliverables, and decision points into overall program plans.
• Ensure analytical and performance testing deliverables enable ontime stage gate progression, regulatory submissions, and commercialization milestones.
• Actively identify risks, resource constraints, and execution gaps-and drive timely resolution.

Regulated Development & Compliance

• Ensure analytical and performance testing activities comply with internal quality systems, regulatory requirements, and applicable industry standards.
• Support FDA and EPA regulated product development by ensuring traceability, documentation integrity, and audit readiness.
• Collaborate with Quality and Regulatory Affairs to address testingrelated questions, deviations, and regulatory interactions.

Metrics, Accountability & Results Delivery

• Establish clear performance metrics for analytical and performance testing, including cycle time, rightfirsttime execution, data quality, and ontime delivery.
• Hold teams accountable for meeting commitments, delivering results, and resolving issues proactively.
• Drive a culture of ownership, urgency, and continuous improvement, using data to inform decisions and prioritize work.
• Provide transparent reporting on progress, risks, and outcomes to R&D and executive leadership.

People Leadership & Team Development

• Build, lead, and develop highperforming analytical and performance testing teams, including managers and individual contributors.
• Set clear expectations, goals, and accountabilities aligned to business priorities.
• Coach and develop team members to strengthen technical capability, execution discipline, and leadership skills.
• Foster an inclusive, highaccountability culture focused on results, learning, and professional growth.
• Proactively assess talent needs and build succession and capability plans for sustained performance.

PERFORMANCE MEASUREMENTS

• Ontime delivery of analytical, compatibility, and performance testing milestones supporting product launches and maintenance.
• Quality, completeness, and regulatory readiness of testing data and documentation.
• Reduction in development risk through effective testing strategies and early issue identification.
• Team performance against defined metrics, priorities, and development goals.
• Strength of talent pipeline, engagement, and capability growth within the team.

QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION/CERTIFICATION

• Advanced degree (master's or higher) in chemistry or relevant scientific discipline.
• Doctorate or business degree is a plus.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE

• Strong understanding of analytical testing, method validation, compatibility assessment, and performance attribute testing in regulated product environments.
• Knowledge of product development and lifecycle management.
• Familiarity with quality systems, regulatory expectations, and development documentation requirements.
• Ability to operate effectively in crossfunctional, matrixed organization.

EXPERIENCE REQUIRED

• 10+ years of progressive R&D experience, with at least 5 years in people leadership roles.
• Demonstrated leadership of analytical, performance, or testing organizations supporting regulated product development.
• Proven track record of delivering results in complex, deadlinedriven development environments.
• Experience managing multiple projects, priorities, and stakeholders simultaneously.

SKILLS/ABILITIES

• Strong results orientation with demonstrated accountability for outcomes.
• Excellent leadership, coaching, and talent development skills.
• Ability to make sound, datadriven decisions under uncertainty.
• Clear, confident communicator capable of influencing at all organizational levels.
• Strong organizational, prioritization, and execution discipline.

WORKING CONDITIONS

• No hazardous or significantly unpleasant conditions.

SALARY RANGE:

• $202,000 - $233,000 annually

BENEFITS

PDI is pleased to offer comprehensive and affordable benefits for our associates, which includes:

• Medical, behavioral & prescription drug coverage
• Health Savings Account (HSA)
• Dental
• Vision
• 401(k) savings plan with company match and profit sharing
• Basic and supplemental Life and AD&D insurance
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)
• Short & long-term disability
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Health Advocacy Program

PDI also offers many voluntary benefits such as: Legal services, critical illness, hospital indemnity, accident coverage, ID theft and fraud protection, pet insurance and employee discounts.

At PDI, we are also committed to helping our associates maintain a healthy and sustainable work/life balance and are proud to provide associates with paid time off programs including: sick & safe leave, vacation, company & floating holidays, paid parental leave, and depending on the position we also offer summer hours and flex place/flex time options.