Head of Non-Basic Research & Development

Head of Non-Basic Research & Development, North America

Location: York, PA

About the Opportunity

RHI Magnesita is seeking a strategic and innovative leader to serve as our Head of Non-Basic R&D for North America. In this role, you will lead the research, development, and innovation strategy for our portfolio of non-basic refractory products, helping drive growth, operational excellence, and customer success across the region.

As a key member of the North American R&D leadership team, you will oversee a talented team of Research Engineers and a Materials Scientist while partnering closely with Operations, Manufacturing Excellence, Supply Chain, Sales, Technical Marketing, Product Management, and Global R&D teams. You will play a critical role in shaping technology roadmaps, advancing product development initiatives, and leading technology transfer and manufacturing network optimization programs across multiple sites.

This is an exciting opportunity for a leader who is passionate about innovation, advanced materials, and building high-performing technical teams in a global manufacturing environment.

What You’ll Do

• Lead and develop the North American Non-Basic R&D organization, fostering a culture of innovation, collaboration, and technical excellence.
• Drive the development and execution of R&D strategies, product roadmaps, and innovation initiatives aligned with regional and global business objectives.
• Serve as a gatekeeper within the project approval process, ensuring R&D investments are strategically aligned and deliver measurable business value.
• Guide new product development, process improvement, and technology advancement efforts for the Non-Basic product portfolio.
• Lead technology transfer initiatives across manufacturing sites to support network optimization, operational efficiency, and business continuity.
• Partner with Operations, Manufacturing Excellence, Supply Chain, and Plant Leadership teams to support capacity expansion, dual-source strategies, risk mitigation, and cost competitiveness initiatives.
• Identify opportunities to standardize technologies, implement best practices, and leverage shared capabilities across the North American manufacturing network.
• Monitor project performance, including timelines, quality metrics, costs, and overall business impact.
• Collaborate with global stakeholders to accelerate innovation, commercialize new technologies, and support customers with advanced materials solutions.

What You Bring

• Bachelor's degree in Materials Science, Ceramic Engineering, Metallurgical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or a related technical discipline required.
• 10+ years of experience within refractory products, advanced ceramics, industrial materials, or a related manufacturing industry.
• 2-3 years of leadership experience managing technical professionals and R&D teams.
• Demonstrated success leading product development, technology management, and innovation initiatives from concept through commercialization.
• Strong technical understanding of refractory materials, raw materials, processing technologies, and material characterization methods.
• Experience managing complex project portfolios and prioritizing competing business and technical objectives.
• Proven ability to influence stakeholders, lead cross-functional initiatives, and build effective partnerships across multiple functions and geographies.
• Strong analytical, project management, problem-solving, communication, and presentation skills.
• Experience collaborating with global teams and leading complex technical programs.
• Knowledge of intellectual property management and patent development is preferred.
• Ability to travel as needed to manufacturing sites, customer locations, and R&D centers.

What We Offer

• Competitive Salary
• Comprehensive Benefits Package – Including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, and disability coverage.
• 401(k) Retirement Plan – With company matching to help you plan for your future.
• Paid Time Off
• Training & Development – Access to learning resources and career development programs.
• Inclusive Work Environment – A culture that values diversity, safety, and collaboration.

About RHI Magnesita

RHI Magnesita is the leading global supplier of high-grade refractory products, systems and solutions which are critical for high-temperature processes in a wide range of industries. Serving customers around the world, RHI Magnesita has more than 20,000 employees in 65 main production sites (including raw material sites), 12 recycling facilities and more than 70 sales offices.

RHI Magnesita’s team in North America helps build refractory products that solve the most extreme manufacturing challenges. From advanced lithium-ion batteries for laptops and EVs and specialized glass on smartphones and tablets, to the steel and cement that build the world around us, our high-performance bricks and linings make it possible to melt, bend, shape, and refine these materials at extreme temperatures.

With a vertically integrated value chain, RHI Magnesita has helped forge the materials that build industries and economies for almost 200 years. Refractory products are essential to the production processes for cement, steel, aluminum, and many other industrial producers in the region.

Come get fired up with our North American team!

North America | RHI Magnesita