Job Description

Position Description
Business Division: CreAgro
Department: Chemistry
Location: Udaipur
Position Title: Group Leader - Chemistry
Level: M2-S2
Reporting to (Title): Head - Chemistry
Position Purpose
The role holder shall lead a team of research scientists and team leaders, direct and supervise research activities for multiple projects leading to the discovery, and pre-development of innovative chemicals for crop protection / crop growth with an aim of adding significant value to the business of PI. The group leader shall also be responsible for supporting the Head-Chemistry in project and resource planning for efficient project operations, driving knowledge management and innovation in teams and creating new IP through patents.
Strategic Responsibilities

• Provides inputs to Head-Chemistry 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
xc2xb7 Planning

• Provide inputs for annual 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.

xc2xb7 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

xc2xb7 Documentation

• Ensure research reports / papers documented by research scientists are as per norms
• Continuous documentation and reporting of all research results obtained within the area of responsibility and the planned synthesis projects

xc2xb7 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 Head - Chemistry

xc2xb7 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 formulation development.
• Represent the department in external forums as appropriate.

xc2xb7 Reporting

• Report progress on assigned projects as directed by Head - Chemistry.

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
• 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 consideration for special reward
• Mentor and coach team members so that they can enhance their performance

Education Qualification

• PhD in Organic/Analytical Chemistry / Agro 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 of molecular chemistry, chemical synthesis, research process and methods
• Research Strategy
• Data Analysis - Interpretation of analytical and biological data
• Experimental skills related to chemical reactions

Interaction Complexity and Team Work
Interaction
Frequency
Purpose of Interaction
Internal : Research scientists ,Team Leader, Head - Chemistry, Head - Biology, HR, Finance, SCM
As and when required
Planning work, discussing results of experiments, resolving doubts, for hiring and HR related issues, for reimbursement claims.
External : Members of Professional Bodies, Industry experts
-
For knowledge sharing / seeking mentoring