R&D Director in Woking

Challenge Yourself and Impact the Future! Fernox operates as a subsidiary business of MacDermid Enthone Industrial Solutions, a global diverse producer of high technology specialty products and a provider of technical services. Fernox is a leading manufacturer of water treatment chemical products, central heating system filters, plumbing consumables and diagnostic testing services. Fernox has pioneered the development of energy efficient products both for traditional and renewable technology in domestic and commercial applications. The business is committed to a progressive Research and Development program and invested in an extensive in-house R&D team of scientists based in the UK, People's Republic of China and the US, and has also offices in France, Germany, Italy, Belgium, Netherlands, Hungary and Turkey.

We strive to embody the five 'Elements of our Culture' - our '5C's'; Challenge, Commit, Collaborate, Choose, and Care. These core values are the foundation of our organization which our employees embrace in their interactions with customers, colleagues and other stakeholders, to drive financial performance and create a rewarding work environment.

We are seeking an R&D Director in our Fernox business to implement the global R&D and innovation strategy, driving the development of differentiated, sustainable, and commercially viable technologies that align with our long-term growth objectives. This role bridges scientific research, product development, and market application, ensuring Fernox remains at the forefront of water treatment and energy efficiency innovation.

The R&D Director will be responsible for the following functional teams: chemistry, engineering, and digital innovation as well as Technical Services and Laboratories.

• Accountable for all technical aspects of new product development and existing technologies.
• Foster a culture of scientific excellence, experimentation, and continuous learning.
• Work closely with Product Management to deliver the end-to-end innovation process from ideation through to commercialization.
• Prioritize projects based on technical feasibility, customer value, and commercial impact.
• Implement robust stage-gate processes, project management and KPIs to track progress and ROI.
• Collaborate closely with the Strategic Marketing and Product Management teams to translate customer insights into R&D priorities.
• Define and execute a global R&D roadmap aligned with Fernox’s strategic pillars.
• Engage directly with key customers and partners to co-develop solutions and validate prototypes in real-world environments.
• Identify and evaluate emerging technologies, academic collaborations, and start-up partnerships that can accelerate innovation.
• Represent Fernox in external innovation ecosystems, consortia, and technical forums eg. HHIC / BEAMA Water Treatment Group.
• Ensure protection of intellectual property through patents and trade secrets.
• Maintain compliance with global regulatory standards and certifications relevant to product development.
• Close collaboration with Operation Team to ensure design for manufacture is fit for purpose.
• Oversee the technical services function to ensure effective support for product application, troubleshooting, and customer training.
• Collaborate with commercial teams to translate technical insights into service offerings and support tools.
• Drive continuous improvement and capability building within R&D and technical services to enhance customer satisfaction and product performance.

To succeed in this role, you’ll need a strong background in the HVAC sector, with at least 7–10 years of R&D experience and a minimum of a degree-level education. Exceptional communication skills are essential, as you’ll not only be responsible for implementing our global R&D and innovation strategy but also for representing Fernox at external events as the face of our business. You should have a proven track record of leading multi-disciplinary teams, developing high-performing R&D groups, and driving continuous improvement initiatives to enhance technical service capabilities.

What competencies will you need?

• Deep technical expertise in chemistry, materials science, or engineering (preferably water treatment or HVAC-related).
• Strong innovation management and product development experience.
• Strategic thinking with the ability to balance long-term vision and short-term delivery.
• Excellent stakeholder engagement and communication skills.
• Proven track record of leading teams and managing complex R&D portfolios.
• Proven project management skills and experience of agile product management techniques.