Job Description

Position Description

Business Division: CreAgro

Department: Chemistry

Location: Udaipur

Position Title: Sr. Team Leader / Group Leader - Analytical Chemistry (Process Research and Agro Kinetics)

Level: M1-M2

Reporting to (Title): Senior Group Leader - Analytical

Position Purpose

The role holder shall lead a team of researchers involved in developing analytical techniques and analysis of synthesised target molecules for the process research group and pre-development of innovative chemicals for crop protection / crop growth with an aim of adding significant value to the business of PI. The role holder shall also supervise the domain of Agro Kinetics including but not limiting to determination of phys-chem properties such as Aqueous solubility, Solubility in different solvents, pKa, LogP, Henry's law constant per OECD guidlines.

Strategic Responsibilities

• Provides inputs to Senior Group Leader - Analytical on the research road-map & annual strategic plan for Agro Chemical Research.
• Drives innovation in the team by actively seeking contributions from team members, by providing encouragement and team environment conducive to fostering new ideas.
• Drives knowledge management processes and initatives within the team to ensure capture and dessimination of knowledge inorder to build and enhance team capability.
• Provides technical leadership to researchers and team leaders and ensures projects are delivered to achieve desired outcomes.

Operational Responsibilities

Staffing & Planning

• Provide inputs for annual manpower budgets and strategic research plans.
• Provide inputs on annual operational plans to meet the overall research goals for the department.
• Review work plans and work allocation for assigned research projects
• Provide direction on project deliverables, time lines and resources to be used for executing work.

• Coordinate with SCM teams for sourcing of key starting material, intermediates, raw materials, fine chemicals & solvents from the domestic & international market, lab equipment and any other project requirements.

Project Execution

• Explain the overall research objectives and outcomes expected to team members.
• Mentor team to resolve any technical queries from team related to research activites.
• Review and approve research results and ensure correctness and validity of analysis and findings.
• Review progress of research activities and provide guidance to team leaders on corrective actions in case of delays or omissions.

Documentation

• Ensure research reports / papers documented by research scientists are as per norms.

Process Adherance & improvements

• Ensure adherence to all safety / information security / quality norms related to research procedures.
• Identify and implement process improvement inititatives under direction of Senior Group Leader - Analytical.

Knowledge Management

• Participate in knowledge management initiatives by actively contributing to KM portal and encouraging team members to do the same. .
• Contribute to competitor intelligence through secondary research, participation in internal / external forums, professional organizational networks.
• Identify and utilize best practices in Process Research and Agro Kinetics.
• Represent the department in external forums as appropriate.

Reporting

Report progress on assigned projects as directed by Senior Group Leader - Analytical.

Financial Responsibilities

• Track and maintain adherance to budgets for all assigned projects.

People Responsibilities

• Ensure adequate team staffing and provide support in screening and shortlisting candidates for hiring into the team.
• Lead professional development through continuous learning and development initiatives within and outside the organization.
• Foster a learning culture in team and ensure constant updation of knowledge using online and print literature, webinars, and national and international conferences on topics related to agro chemistry.
• Collaborate with team members and cross functional teams to ensure meeting research objectives.
• Set performance goals, review performance of team members and provide ongoing feedback on development areas.
• Recognise and propose high performers in the team for reward.
• Mentor and coach team members so that they can enhance their performance.

Education Qualification

• PhD in Analytical Chemistry from a reputed University / Institute with excellent academic credentials.
• Post-doctoral research experience in a reputed university abroad, preferably in the US, West Europe or Japan
• Research publications and/or patents appreciated

Work Experience

10-12 years of post academic industrial research experience with at least 3-5 years of team management experience.

Industry to be Hired from

Agro Chemical / Pharma / Chemical

Functional Competencies

• Scientific Knowledge: Excellent knowledge of molecular chemistry, chemical synthesis, research process and methods (Viz. Designs research projects, including sampling, controls, and acceptable analysis procedures, synthesises and tests and analyses results), lab procedures, lab equipment and lab protocols.
• Research Strategy: Identify and develop strategy based on literature research and competitor intelligence, plan & propose projects, monitor work allocation & performance
• Experimental Skills: Knowledge of diverse chemical reactions, troubleshoot and optimize reactions
• Data Analysis
• Ability to discharge day to day various administrative jobs

Interaction Complexity and Team Work

Interaction

Frequency

Purpose of Interaction

Internal : Research scientists ,Team Leader, Head - Chemistry, HR , Finance, SCM

As and when required

Planning work, discussing results of experiments, resolving doubts, for hiring and HR related issues, for reimbursement claims, procuring materials / equipment for experiments.

External : Members of Professional Bodies, Industry experts

For knowledge sharing / seeking mentoring