Lead Scientist

Job Description

Job Purpose

.To work on innovations that would enable the business to take a quantum leap through patented products and processes, and develop a portfolio of new investment opportunities for the business, that will strengthen the competitive positioning of the business.
.Contribute towards the Research & Development organization by developing business opportunities thereby delivering a competitive edge and differentiation for the business.

Job Context & Major Challenges

The Pulp and Fibre business of Aditya Birla Group is the global leader in Viscose Staple Fibre with a market share of 21% with a turnover of approximately US $ 2 billion. Fibre is manufactured in plants located in India, Indonesia, Thailand and China. The key raw material for fibre manufacturing, Dissolving Grade Pulp, is chiefly manufactured in house at plants in India, Canada and Sweden. Under a strategy of backward integration, the Business has also invested in Eucalyptus plantations in Lao PDR. The business produces more than 2000 metric tonnes of VSF per day. The fibre is sold in almost 63 countries under the brand name of Birla Cellulose. The key strengths of the business include a wide portfolio of products with regular and specialty fibres and strong cost leadership. In view of strong competition, and the business vision to be the Global Leader, a need was felt to further expand the Research & Development organization.

The R&D team is thus expected to work on innovations that would enable the business to take aquantum leap through patented products and processes, and develop a portfolio of new investment opportunities for the business, that will strengthen the competitive positioning of the business.

Major challenges of the job include-
.Managing interdepartmental interactions across multiple verticals functions (Marketing, Manufacturing, Business Units), and across multiple geographies.
.Working together across multiple technology groups both internal Pulp R&D, ABSTC, CTC, BRI, ABCFRC, and TRADC and external scientists/researchers representing vendors, Academic Institutes, Analytical and regulatory services.
.Building in a market focus for the innovation by creating marketable products and supporting customers technically and continually improve quality of existing product offerings.
.Ensuring that the business core strength of cost competitiveness is retained and built upon while enhancing the focus on innovation.
.Keeping abreast of the relevant scientific & technological developments
.Building a network of Raw material and equipment suppliers

Key Result Areas