Head of Applications, Global

Role details

Position Summary

Sterling Specialty Chemicals seeks a Head of Applications, Global to establish and lead its applications development function worldwide.

The successful candidate will convert Sterling’s chemistry into demonstrable customer performance across Energy, Water and Industrial markets and will be accountable for making applications science a source of competitive advantage.

This is a hands-on role. The Head of Applications will personally design tests, enhance methodologies, analyze data and support field trials while building the function. Leadership in this role is demonstrated through direct technical contribution.

Chemistry Platforms and Applications

The role spans the following platforms and end-use applications, the latter listed in order of priority:

Chemistry platforms

Oleochemicals · Polymers· Surfactants

Applications

Stimulation · Chemical EOR ·Drilling · Water Treatment ·Production · Oil Sands· Cementing ·Mining

Key Responsibilities

• Hands-on technical delivery. M

ethod development, data analysis and field trial support and remain directly engaged in the technical work as the team grows.

• Testing capability.

Specify, commission and run laboratory capability to support every application area, including equipment selection, layout and investment cases.

• Methods and standards.

Develop and maintain Sterling’s test methods, qualification protocols and data standards so that results are rigorous, repeatable and credible with operators, service companies and industrial customers.

• R&D direction.

Set and manage the development portfolio across oleochemicals, polymers and surfactants; support R&D and manufacturing sites to move products from bench to field.

• Commercial impact.

Partner with sales, product line management and marketing to qualify products, resolve field performance issues and support account growth and retention.

• Governance.

Own the applications budget, project prioritization and stage-gate inputs; report progress and returns to commercial leadership.

What You Bring

We are seeking a hands-on technical leader who builds the function and does the work. The ideal candidate combines depth in chemistry with a record of personally delivering results that customers can measure.

Technical expertise

• Deep, hands-on expertise in at least one of our platforms (polymers, surfactants or oleochemicals) and sound working knowledge of the others.
• Direct experience in one or more of our applications; oilfield chemistry (stimulation, chemical EOR, drilling, production or cementing) and/or water treatment strongly preferred.
• Understanding of structure–performance relationships and of how formulation, interactions and field conditions drive results.
• A track record of designing test methods and qualification programs and of translating lab data into field outcomes.
• Recent hands-on laboratory and field experience and a willingness to remain personally involved at the bench and in the field.

Leadership and capability building

• Proven experience establishing a laboratory or program, including scoping, budgeting and commissioning.
• Ability to set priorities, manage a portfolio of projects and make clear resourcing decisions.
• Experience directing external partners such as contract labs and universities.

Commercial and customer orientation

• Credibility with operators, service companies and industrial customers at both technical and management level.
• Ability to frame technical work in commercial terms: value delivered, cost to serve and return on development spend.
• Clear, confident communicator able to present to customers, senior leadership and plant teams.

Qualifications

• Degree in chemistry, chemical engineering or a related discipline; MSc or PhD preferred.
• 10+ years in applications development, technical service or R&D within specialty chemicals, including at least 5 years in a leadership role.
• Authorization to work in the United States.