Logo
Boaz Partners, LLC

Technical Director

Boaz Partners, LLC, Los Angeles, California, United States, 90079

Save Job

Technical Director / Head of R&D The

Technical Director / Head of R&D

will lead product development, formulations, technical strategy, and lab operations for a portfolio of 300+ cleaning and janitorial chemical products. This executive leader will drive modernization of processes, elevate R&D rigor, ensure regulatory and quality compliance, and partner with operations to ensure consistent production performance.

The successful candidate will balance

hands‑on formulation expertise ,

leadership capability , and

business‑minded product strategy , moving from legacy formulations toward modern, optimized, market‑competitive technologies.

This is a highly influential role, shaping the company's future technical direction while honoring its legacy and deeply rooted family‑type culture.

Key Responsibilities

Lead formulation development, improvement, and troubleshooting for HI&I cleaning products, including floor finishes, detergents, disinfectants, and specialty cleaners.

Modernize existing formulations by evaluating current performance, benchmarking technologies, and incorporating advances such as PFAS‑free chemistry and polymer innovations.

Evaluate the full formulation library (300–400 SKUs) and identify strategic priorities for optimization, simplification, and modernization.

Leadership & Team Development

Manage and mentor the technical team, including a Senior Chemist and QC Chemist, promoting process discipline, lab organization, and continuous improvement.

Establish a structured, high‑functioning lab environment, including equipment calibration, software utilization, testing protocols, and audit readiness.

Serve as a key member of the leadership team, contributing to broader product strategy, go‑to‑market decisions, and cross‑functional initiatives.

Quality, Regulatory, and Compliance

Oversee quality control, regulatory compliance, and documentation for all formulations and raw materials.

Strengthen investigative processes for quality issues, including root‑cause analysis and batch consistency efforts alongside quality and operations teams.

Prepare for and maintain readiness for growing customer audit requirements (industry, regulatory, or customer‑driven).

Manufacturing Support & Scale‑Up

Work hands‑on with compounders and production teams to ensure scaling, batching, mixing, and blending processes are correct, efficient, and repeatable.

Provide technical oversight to ensure batching practices (e.g., mixing order, agitation rate, equipment selection) produce consistent product quality.

Troubleshoot production issues and partner with Operations to improve sustainability, consistency, and manufacturability of products.

Vendor, Raw Material & Market Engagement

Lead vendor qualification, raw material evaluation, and technical product assessments while procurement manages pricing and purchasing.

Maintain awareness of market trends and end‑customer needs; act as a “fast follower” for newly introduced technology.

Participate in product development meetings and provide technical input on customer requests and new business opportunities.

Ideal Candidate Profile Experience

15–20+ years

of experience in formulations, R&D, or technical leadership within chemicals, preferably HI&I cleaning, personal care/cosmetics, surfactants, or adjacent formulated chemical sectors.

3–5+ years

in a leadership or supervisory role guiding chemists, QC teams, or technical staff.

Strong experience with

liquid formulations , ideally including cleaning chemicals, floor finishes, detergents, or similar products.

Experience in high‑mix, fast‑paced manufacturing environments.

Education Master’s degree is strongly preferred, Bachelor’s degree is acceptable with strong experience. Degrees may include:

Chemical Engineering

Other relevant scientific disciplines

Leadership & Soft Skills

Collaborative leader able to build trust within a long‑tenured team while guiding them through modernization and change with patience and respect.

Balanced “bench‑to‑boardroom” capability—hands‑on when needed, yet strategic in guiding product direction and organizational improvement.

Comfortable in a family‑run, close‑knit culture with strong values, cross‑functional teamwork, and shared decision‑making.

Seniority level Director

Employment type Full‑time

Job function Research

Industry Chemical Manufacturing

#J-18808-Ljbffr