Director of Lipid R&D

Location - Tromso, Norway

Salary - 1,400,000 - 1,800,000 NOK

POSITION SUMMARY 

The Director of Lipid R&D is a high-impact leadership role responsible for establishing and heading Nordic Naturals’ exclusive lipid research hub in Norway. This individual will lead the identification and development of proprietary, sustainable marine and/or lipid-based ingredients to justify Nordic Naturals' premium positioning and "Why Nordic" story. The Director will act as the primary bridge between external the Norwegian marine research ecosystem and the internal US-based commercial teams, ensuring that technical innovation directly fuels the product pipeline for Heart Health Cognitive Health, Prenatal, and Healthy Aging categories per Nordic Naturals innovation priorities as defined by the marketing organization. This role will also need to collaborate closely with our Nordic Pharma oil manufacturing team near Tromso Norway.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Reasonable Accommodations Statement

To accomplish this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform, with or without reasonable accommodation, each essential function satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to help enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Develop and execute the long-term strategy for exclusive lipid ingredient development, focusing on proprietary marine-based concentrates, algal-based ingredients, and microbial oils.
• Build and maintain high-level strategic relationships with key Norwegian research institutes and universities, such as NOFIMA, SINTEF, University of Bergen, etc
• Lead the development of novel lipid processing technologies (e.g., supercritical extraction, micro-encapsulation) with the goal of generating patentable intellectual property.
• Identify and secure Norwegian research grants and public-private funding opportunities to offset R&D costs and leverage local marine expertise.
• Recruit, mentor, and manage a high-performing technical team in Norway, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and scientific rigor.
• Manage individual and team performance and growth, creating a culture of continuous improvement, and ensuring that the team environment consistently aligns with Nordic Naturals’ organizational objectives
• Partner closely with US-based Marketing, Research and Product Development teams to ensure exclusive ingredients meet consumer needs and are transferred effectively for desired health claims.
• Oversee laboratory and pilot plant operations to de-risk the transition from bench-top discovery to industrial-scale production.
• Research, qualify, and manage relationships with local raw material vendors and specialized marine suppliers.
• Leads the PD team through process of perfecting formulations and processes across various locations
• Partner with PD Project Management to track projects and establish timelines that are attainable
• Manage the startup and maintenance of pilot plant operations
• Implementation of knowledge management strategies to improve access and accuracy of technical data to the appropriate functions
• Support professional growth for direct reports and foster positive team environment

POSITION QUALIFICATIONS

Competency Statements

• Innovative: Ability to look beyond standard industry solutions to find novel lipid sources and stabilization methods.
• Research Skills: Expert ability to design and conduct systematic, objective, and critical investigations into lipid chemistry and marine bio-actives.
• Communication: Exceptional ability to communicate complex scientific data clearly to non-technical US stakeholders and executive leadership.
• Strategic Alignment: Proven capability to manage a project pipeline through an innovation stage-gate process to ensure commercial accountability.
• Positive - Ability to view all situations with a positive attitude.
• Organized - Possessing the trait of being organized or following a systematic method of performing a task.
• Detail Oriented - Ability to pay attention to the minute details of a project or task.
• Problem Solving - Ability to find a solution for or to deal proactively with work-related problems.

SKILLS & ABILITIES

Computer Skills

Must be proficient with MS Office and have excellent Excel skills for data analysis and ROI modeling
 

Other Requirements

Education: Ph.D. in Biochemistry, Organic Chemistry, Marine Biotechnology, or a related field focusing on lipid/marine ingredient development.

Experience: 10+ years of experience in lipid or marine research and development, with at least 5 years in a senior leadership role within the nutrition, pharma, or specialty chemical industries.

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PHYSICAL DEMANDS**

Physical Demands

Lift/Carry

Stand

O (Occasionally)

Walk

O (Occasionally)

Sit

F (Frequently)

Handling / Fingering

F (Frequently)

Reach Outward

O (Occasionally)

Reach Above Shoulder

N (Not Applicable)

Climb

N (Not Applicable)

Crawl

N (Not Applicable)

Squat or Kneel

O (Occasionally)

Bend

O (Occasionally)

10 lbs or less

O (Occasionally)

11-20 lbs

O (Occasionally)

21-50 lbs

O (Occasionally)

51-100 lbs

N (Not Applicable)

Over 100 lbs

N (Not Applicable)

Push/Pull

12 lbs or less

O (Occasionally)

13-25 lbs

O (Occasionally)

26-40 lbs

O (Occasionally)

41-100 lbs

N (Not Applicable)

N (Not Applicable)

Activity is not applicable to this occupation.

O (Occasionally)

Occupation requires this activity up to 33% of the time (0 - 2.5+ hrs/day)

F (Frequently)

Occupation requires this activity from 33% - 66% of the time (2.5 - 5.5+ hrs/day)

C (Constantly)

Occupation requires this activity more than 66% of the time (5.5+ hrs/day)

 

 

 

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Other Physical Requirements**

Vision (Near, Distance)

Sense of Sound (Must be able to use a multi-line phone)

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Works in a climate controlled environment.