Head of R & D China

Job Title: Head of R&D China
Reports To: Direct reporting to CTO Asia; dotted reporting line to China Managing Director

Job Summary
The Head of R&D will lead the China research and development agenda, with accountability for product innovation, technical excellence, portfolio development, and OEM technical partnerships. The role will translate business and customer priorities into a focused R&D roadmap, accelerate local product adoption and co-development with major Chinese OEMs, and ensure products meet applicable performance, quality, regulatory, and sustainability requirements. As the R&D leader in China, the position will build local technical capability, strengthen collaboration with Regional R&D and commercial teams, and convert technology into differentiated customer value and sustainable business growth. Key Responsibilities and Accountabilities
R&D Strategy

• Define and execute the China R&D strategy and technology roadmap in alignment with business priorities, market trends, and regional or global R&D direction.
• Set clear priorities on local R&D, technical and operating standards.
• Establish effective R&D governance, including project prioritization, resource planning, milestones, risk management, and performance review.
• Provide technical leadership to senior management and contribute to business and portfolio decisions.

OEM and Strategic Customer Engagement

• Serve as the senior technical interface with major Chinese OEMs and strategic customers, building trusted relationships with product development, engineering, testing, and approval stakeholders.
• Lead technical proposals, co-development programs, product approvals, bench and road tests, field trials, factory audits, and technical documentation.
• Interpret OEM technical roadmaps, including engine downsizing, hybridization, electrification, and aftermarket compatibility, and translate them into R&D and portfolio actions.
• Convert complex technical data and performance claims into compelling value propositions for technical and commercial audiences.

Quality, Regulatory, and Sustainability

• Ensure products and technical claims comply with applicable standards and specifications, including GB standards, API, ACEA, ILSAC, and OEM-specific requirements.
• Monitor regulatory and sustainability developments in China and assess their implications for formulations, testing, claims, and portfolio strategy.
• Partner with Quality, Operations, and Supply Chain to support robust product validation, change control, issue resolution, and consistent product performance.
• Advance fuel-efficiency, lower-carbon, bio-based, and other sustainability-related innovation where commercially and technically relevant.

Commercial and Cross-functional Partnership

• Work closely with Sales, Key Account, Marketing, Commercial Excellence, Operations, Quality, and Supply Chain to support customer acquisition, retention, and profitable growth.
• Provide technical direction for market launches, customer training, claims substantiation, and complex troubleshooting.
• Represent the company in relevant technical forums, industry associations, universities, research institutes, and external innovation partnerships.

Resource and Operational Management

• Develop and manage the R&D operating plan, external testing resources, laboratory capability, and assigned budget in line with approved priorities.
• Track R&D effectiveness through agreed project, innovation, quality, customer, and capability indicators, and drive corrective actions when required.

Job Requirements

• Bachelor's degree or higher in Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Mechanical Engineering, Automotive Technology, Materials Science, or a related discipline; an advanced degree is preferred.
• 12+ years of relevant experience in lubricant R&D, formulation, engine or component testing, application engineering, or OEM technical collaboration, including substantial experience in China.
• Demonstrated leadership experience managing technical teams, cross-functional projects, priorities, resources, and stakeholder expectations.
• Proven experience leading Chinese OEM entry, bench and road testing, product certification, technical approval, or co-development programs.
• Deep understanding of lubricant formulation, additive chemistry, test methodology, engine hardware trends, and PCMO technologies; knowledge of hybrid, electric vehicle, and thermal management fluid requirements is an advantage.
• Sound understanding of applicable Chinese and international standards, product stewardship, quality systems, regulatory requirements, and sustainability trends.
• Ability to translate complex technical information into clear business recommendations and compelling customer value stories.
• Fluency in Mandarin and English, with the ability to operate effectively in a multicultural and matrix organization.
• Willingness to travel domestically and internationally as business needs require.