Teknor Apex

Chief Technology Officer

Teknor Apex$180K — $250K *
Manufacturing & Automotive
8 - 10 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Advanced degree in Engineering, Polymer Science, Materials Science, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or a related field; PhD preferred.
  • 10-15 years of progressive leadership experience in technology, R&D, or product development, ideally in specialty materials or a related industry.
  • Proven track record in developing successful technology strategies for growth and innovation.
  • Experience leading global technical or R&D teams in customer-focused environments.
  • Strong grasp of innovation management, regulatory requirements, sustainability, and quality.
  • Excellent strategic, business, and communication skills.
  • Ability to thrive in a dynamic, global, matrixed setting.

Responsibilities

  • Develop and execute a global technology strategy aligned with business objectives and customer needs.
  • Provide direction for R&D, product development, and emerging technologies.
  • Identify tech-enabled growth opportunities in collaboration with executive leaders.
  • Develop automation strategies to expedite product development and sampling.
  • Lead the innovation roadmap ensuring alignment with market trends and sustainability goals.
  • Drive new product development from concept to commercialization.
  • Build and nurture a high-performing global technical organization.

Benefits

  • Opportunity to significantly impact enterprise-wide strategy and innovation.
  • Collaborative environment with strong partnerships across departments and globally.
  • Role at the forefront of product and material commercialization.
  • Chance to shape the future of sustainable materials and biomaterials.
  • Access to a robust network with industry leaders, universities, and research institutions.
Full Job Description
To support our global growth strategy, we are seeking an experienced Chief Technology Officer to lead Teknor Apex's technology, innovation, and R&D agenda. This executive role will shape the company's technology vision, strengthen global technical capabilities, and accelerate the development and commercialization of differentiated products, materials, and processes.

Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer, the CTO will serve as a key member of the executive leadership team and partner closely with global business leaders, value chain leaders, technical teams, sales, marketing, and business development. This role offers significant enterprise-wide impact and the opportunity to help shape Teknor Apex's future growth and competitive position.

Key Responsibilities

Technology Strategy and Leadership
  • Develop and execute a global technology strategy aligned with Teknor Apex's long-term business objectives, growth priorities, and customer needs.
  • Serve as the company's senior technology leader, providing direction across R&D, product development, technical service, process innovation, and emerging technologies.
  • Partner with executive and business leaders to identify technology-enabled opportunities for growth, differentiation, and operational improvement.
  • Develop automation and digital strategies to advance the speed of product development and sampling
  • Development of sustainable materials that are commercially viable
  • Develop and commercialize biomaterial platforms

Innovation and R&D
  • Lead the innovation roadmap and R&D portfolio, ensuring alignment with market opportunities, customer requirements, sustainability goals, and value chain strategies.
  • Drive new products, materials, services, and technologies from concept through commercialization.
  • Strengthen innovation processes, including idea generation, technical feasibility, stage-gate management, commercialization, and performance measurement.
  • Experience

Technical Capability and Team Development
  • Build and lead a high-performing global technical organization with the capabilities, structure, and talent required to support business growth.
  • Develop technical leaders and promote a culture of collaboration, accountability, scientific rigor, continuous improvement, and customer-focused innovation.
  • Advance core competencies in materials science, polymer technology, compounding, process engineering, application development, and data-driven technical decision-making.

Cross-Functional and External Collaboration
  • Partner with sales, marketing, operations, procurement, quality, regulatory, and business development teams to ensure technology initiatives support business priorities and customer expectations.
  • Develop strategic relationships with customers, suppliers, universities, research institutions, technology providers, and industry organizations.
  • Represent Teknor Apex externally as a senior technical leader with customers, partners, and key industry stakeholders.

Governance, Compliance, and Risk Management
  • Ensure technology, R&D, and innovation activities comply with applicable regulations, industry standards, customer requirements, and corporate policies.
  • Manage technology and R&D budgets, resource allocation, project priorities, intellectual property considerations, and return on investment.
  • Provide regular updates to the CEO, executive leadership team, and board of directors on technology strategy, innovation progress, R&D performance, and key initiatives.

Qualifications
  • Advanced degree in Engineering, Polymer Science, Materials Science, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or a related technical field required. PhD preferred.
  • Minimum of 10 to 15 years of progressive leadership experience in technology, R&D, product development, innovation, or technical leadership, preferably within specialty materials, compounding, polymers, chemicals, manufacturing, or a related industry.
  • Proven ability to develop and execute technology strategies that drive growth, innovation, commercialization, and competitive differentiation.
  • Demonstrated success leading global technical or R&D teams in a complex, customer-focused organization.
  • Strong understanding of innovation management, product development, R&D portfolio management, regulatory requirements, sustainability, quality, and product stewardship.
  • Excellent strategic thinking, business acumen, communication, executive presence, influencing, and problem-solving skills.
  • Ability to operate effectively in a dynamic, global, matrixed environment while managing multiple priorities and stakeholders.


About Teknor Apex

Teknor Apex is a plastics manufacturing company that produces a wide range of products, including thermoplastic elastomers, vinyl compounds, and color concentrates. The company was founded in 1924 and is headquartered in Pawtucket, Rhode Island. Teknor Apex serves customers in various industries, including automotive, consumer products, and medical devices. The company has manufacturing facilities in the United States, Europe, and Asia. Teknor Apex is a privately held company and is owned by the Teknor Apex Company Trust.
Learn more about Teknor Apex
Size
2,500 employees
Industry
Founded
1924

Similar Jobs

More Jobs at Teknor Apex

  • Teknor Apex
    Technical Lead, Raw Materials
    $100K — $130K *
    Pawtucket, RI 02860 (Providence County)
    Manufacturing & Automotive
    In-Person
  • Teknor Apex
    Control Systems Engineer II
    $80K — $110K *
    Pawtucket, RI 02860 (Providence County)
    Manufacturing & Automotive
    In-Person
  • Teknor Apex
    Controls Systems Engineer II
    $80K — $100K *
    Pawtucket, RI 02860 (Providence County)
    Manufacturing & Automotive
    In-Person
  • Teknor Apex
    Production Manager
    $75K — $95K *
    Brownsville, TN 38012 (Haywood County)
    Manufacturing & Automotive
    In-Person
  • Teknor Apex
    Chief Technology Officer
    $180K — $250K *
    Pawtucket, RI 02860 (Providence County)
    Manufacturing & Automotive
    In-Person

More Manufacturing & Automotive Jobs

Find similar Chief Technology Officer jobs: