Research & Development Director

  • by
Location
Candidate No.
1878798

About this Candidate

DAVRON CV: Candidate 1878798

R&D EXECUTIVE | SUSTAINABLE MATERIALS, INNOVATION STRATEGY & NEW BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

Core Expertise

  • Leading global R&D teams to deliver end-to-end product development and commercialization.
  • Crafting multi-year innovation strategy and roadmaps to meet aggressive sustainability goals.
  • Launching new product categories and businesses generating over $200M in revenue.
  • Driving sustainable materials, circular product design, and zero-plastic product development.
  • Leading cross-functional commercialization with marketing, supply chain, operations, and finance partners.
  • Mentoring technical leaders and building high-performing innovation organizations.

Project Background

  • Created and commercialized a new building-materials category from concept to national retail distribution, delivering nearly $200M revenue.
  • Developed fully biodegradable consumer applicator and zero-plastic product portfolios with novel chemistry and tactile parity to plastics.
  • Led breakthrough manufacturing program improving spunbond nonwoven processes for industry-leading throughput and quality.
  • Managed raw materials strategy for 500M+ lbs annual procurement across multiple manufacturing assets, securing supply and innovation pipelines.
  • Delivered LEAN manufacturing improvements saving $20M and achieving multimillion-dollar cost reductions.
  • Inventor on 11 U.S. patents spanning polymers, absorbents, advanced materials, and sustainable product technologies.

Key Skills

  • Innovation strategy | Portfolio management | New business development
  • Sustainable materials | Circular design | Polymer & nonwovens expertise
  • Product development lifecycle | Scale-up | Manufacturing transfer
  • Cross-functional leadership | Commercialization | Stakeholder engagement
  • LEAN | Agile | Scrum | Continuous improvement
  • Patent strategy | IP development | Technical mentoring

Education

  • B.S., Chemical Engineering — Georgia Institute of Technology

Awards & Recognition

  • Five-time recipient of corporate global nonwovens innovation awards
  • Corporate award for green manufacturing impact and sustainability leadership
  • Outstanding Women and Outstanding Young Alumna honors from Georgia Institute of Technology

Why Interview this Candidate?

Seasoned R&D executive with 30+ years leading cross-functional teams to launch 25+ market-winning products and generate over $200M in new revenue. Proven at creating sustainable, circular product platforms, inventing novel materials (11 U.S. patents), and driving manufacturing and cost improvements. Brings strategic vision, hands-on technical depth, and a track record of building high-performing innovation organizations ready to accelerate product and sustainability goals.

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