Senior Director - Cluster Lead / Platform Delivery Lead - Science, Innovation & Labs (f/m/d)

Location: Delft, Netherlands other global hubs possible

Role Overview:

At dsm-firmenich, we combine cutting-edge science with passion for innovation to create solutions that nourish, protect, and improve life.

We are seeking a visionary Senior Director – Cluster Lead / Platform Delivery Lead to drive the digital transformation of our Science, Innovation & Labs organization. This role offers the unique opportunity to build capabilities from the ground up, lead leaders, shape supplier strategies, and steer a portfolio of >€25M annual value creation. Based in Delft (or other global hubs), you’ll be at the heart of advancing digital solutions for R&D and laboratory environments worldwide.

Your Key Responsibilities

As Cluster Lead (People & Business Leadership):

Lead, inspire, and develop a highly engaged cluster of 30+ internal employees and 50+ external colleagues, fostering a culture of excellence, collaboration, and continuous learning.
Provide direction and thought leadership: set clear goals, align with business ambitions, and shape future portfolio strategy.
Act as career manager for chapter members, coaching and mentoring Chapter Leads to build next-generation digital leaders.
Own strategic supplier management across D&T: secure capability and capacity agreements, ensure clear outcomes, and drive performance against value-based contracts.
Lead strategic assignments such as transitions, acquisitions, transformations, or innovations, ensuring successful execution and stakeholder alignment.
Build and manage the cluster budget in close collaboration with the Unit Head, ensuring transparency and value delivery.

As Platform Delivery Lead (Science, Innovation & Labs):

Shape and execute the digital roadmap for R&D and laboratory platforms, ensuring high-quality, fit-for-purpose solutions.
Oversee delivery of a >€25M annual portfolio, ensuring financial transparency, accountability, and business value creation.
Secure resourcing and capabilities for product squads, balancing internal talent development with external expertise.
Drive the adoption of agile, product-centric ways of working to ensure smooth transition into operations and sustainable support.
Safeguard continuity of critical platforms to protect innovation productivity and R&D output.
Serve as a trusted advisor to senior business stakeholders, translating strategy into actionable digital outcomes.

Your Daily Impact

In this role, no two days are the same. You may:
Update the Platform Lead on delivery performance and portfolio progress.
Run a weekly sync with your cluster team to drive engagement and capability.
Align with Product Managers to resolve dependencies and advance the roadmap.
Lead a steering committee with key technology partners, challenging them to innovate and deliver value.
Brainstorm with architects and squads on next-generation solutions for our scientists and labs.

We offer:

A rich history and a promising future of bold scientific innovation and passionate creation with our customers.
A space to grow by encouraging and supporting curiosity and an open mindset.
The opportunity to work for a company where sustainability is much more than a claim and is core to our strategy and purpose
A flexible work environment that empowers people to take accountability for their work and own the outcome
A firm belief that working together with our customers is the key to achieving great things;
An eagerness to be one team and learn from each other to bring progress to life and create a better future

You bring:

Master’s Degree in Life Sciences, Engineering, Computer Science, Laboratory Sciences, or other scientific or technical degrees
+/- 15 years of relevant experience in the science, innovation and labs domain
Conceptual understanding of scientific, digital, and lab domains (including research, application, QC, and dry labs), FAIR scientific data management and custom-built cutting-edge scientific software development.
Capability development for Product leadership - Experience in leading & developing leaders in business analysis, solution design and technical leadership, service delivery, project/program management, software quality & automation, and M&A strategy & transaction.
Strategic thinking – experience defining roadmaps, prioritising initiatives, and aligning stakeholders around shared objectives.
Engaging communication skills – Demonstrated ability to communicate clearly and effectively with senior stakeholders and at all levels within the organization.
Global leadership and delivery at scale - Experience leading and delivering digital transformation projects on a global scale, while addressing local science and lab team needs.
Experience in managing suppliers, partnerships, and multi-million contracts.
Fluent in English
Willing to travel to our various locations.

About dsm-firmenich:

As innovators in nutrition, health, and beauty, dsm-firmenich reinvents, manufactures, and combines vital nutrients, flavors, and fragrances for the world’s growing population to thrive. With our comprehensive range of solutions, with natural and renewable ingredients and renowned science and technology capabilities, we work to create what is essential for life, desirable for consumers, and more sustainable for the planet. dsm-firmenich is a Swiss-Dutch company, listed on the Euronext Amsterdam, with operations in almost 60 countries and revenues of more than €12 billion. With a diverse, worldwide team of nearly 30,000 employees, we bring progress to life™ every day, everywhere, for billions of people.

www.dsm-firmenich.com

Inclusion, belonging and equal opportunity statement:

dsm-firmenich is fully dedicated to inclusion because when people feel engaged and empowered, their creativity and innovation drives unprecedented progress. We aim to build a workplace where opportunity really is equal, so everyone can thrive. We do not discriminate: (here,) there’s a place for everyone with us.

dsm-firmenich is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer. Our people are as diverse as our customers. For us that includes a commitment to ensuring equal employment opportunities for all job applicants and employees. Employment decisions are based upon job-related reasons regardless of an applicant's race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, disability, marital status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other status protected by law.

We are committed to providing reasonable support for disabled applicants in our recruiting process. Should you need assistance, and are comfortable to share this, please let us know.

Agency statement

We’re managing this search directly at dsm-firmenich. If you’re applying as an individual, we’d love to hear from you. We’re not accepting agency submissions or proposals involving fees or commissions for this role.