Business Innovation & Development Leader - (F/M/X)

Solvay is all about chemistry. We’re not just referring to chemical reactions here, but also to the magic that occurs when the brightest minds get to work together. This is where our true strength lies. In you. In your future colleagues and in all your differences. And of course, in your ideas to improve lives while preserving our planet’s beauty for the generations to come.

About the role 

Our Membrane Technologies Architecture and Implementation team, composed of 8 people, is integrated in the Business Innovation & Development department and focuses on the strategic development and industrialization of advanced membrane technologies in collaboration with R&I, Technology, IP, Legal, and external partners.

As a Business Innovation & Development Leader – Senior Scientist, you will work on scouting, developing, and implementing membrane technologies to support Solvay’s leadership in Soda Ash processes and emerging applications. You will get the opportunity to contribute to high-impact innovation projects and have a positive influence on sustainability, competitiveness, and technological excellence.

You will be accountable for:

• Driving strategic business development and innovation for membrane technologies, including emerging technologies .
• Leading cross-functional teams and managing partnerships with universities and industrial players to ensure successful scale-up and industrialization.
• Managing the intellectual property strategy and conducting technology scouting aligned with Solvay’s strategic goals.
• Performing business intelligence and market analysis to identify opportunities and enhance process competitiveness.
• Ensuring high-level reporting and visibility at GBU/group level.

We offer a permanent contract with a hybrid working mode (3 days per week onsite) and occasional travel depending on project needs.

About you

Relevant education in Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, Polymer Application Science, or electro-chemistry.
Minimum 10 years of experience in membrane technologies, innovation management, or industrial process development.

Competencies

• Strong expertise in membrane science, industrial applications, and innovation-to-industrialization processes.
• Strategic thinking with solid business acumen, project management, and stakeholder engagement capabilities.
• Proven experience in technology transfer, fluent in English, with additional EU languages considered a plus.

Behaviors

• Entrepreneurial mindset and proactive approach.
• Collaborative and able to lead transversal teams, curious, analytical, and solution-oriented
• Fluent in english and french.

About the pay

Attractive and equitable pay for all: compensation is determined within a range to foster your development in the role. The base pay expected for this role is 84,640€ – 105,800€ per year in Belgium.
Your salary may ultimately be higher or lower based on your skills and experience. Additionally, we provide a competitive total rewards package that includes a bonus and/or other incentives.

Benefits

Solvay Cares program: minimum of 16 weeks of parenting leave for all employees and package with healthcare, disability and life insurance coverage.
Well-being prioritization: work-life balance promotion, flexible approach to part-time or hybrid work arrangements, employee assistance program with access to physical and psychological support.
Professional development: prioritization of internal talents for career progression, access to a training platform, opportunities to join Employee Resource Groups (ERG) for experience sharing and mentorship, and free language courses.

About us

• Solvay, a pioneering chemical company with a legacy rooted in founder Ernest Solvay's pivotal innovations in the soda ash process, is dedicated to delivering essential solutions globally through its workforce of over 9,000 employees. Since 1863, Solvay harnesses the power of chemistry to create innovative, sustainable solutions that answer the world’s most essential needs such as purifying the air we breathe and the water we drink, preserving our food supplies, protecting our health and well-being, creating eco-friendly clothing, making the tires of our cars more sustainable and cleaning and protecting our homes. As a world-leading company with €4.7 billion in net sales in 2024 and listings on Euronext Brussels and Paris (SOLB), its unwavering commitment drives the transition to a carbon-neutral future by 2050, underscoring its dedication to sustainability and a fair and just transition.
• At Solvay, we seek to promote unity and not uniformity. We value the diversity that individuals bring and we invite you to consider a future with us, regardless of background, age, gender, national origin, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, ability or identity. We encourage individuals who may require any assistance or accommodations to let us know to ensure a seamless application experience. We are here to support you throughout the application journey and want to ensure all candidates are treated equally. If you are unsure whether you meet all the criteria or qualifications listed in the job description, we still encourage you to apply.

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