Global Applications Director - Refrigerants

You’re purpose driven. Growth minded. Ready to stretch your potential. That’s the spirit of the community you’ll find at Orbia: where the purpose to advance life around the world drives our global team of over 23,000 every single day. 

From creating solutions to deliver clean water, secure food supplies and reliable information to steering material advances that power the future of green and smart cities, transportation, and healthcare, we never settle for “good enough” when there’s an opportunity to make life better. Where purpose comes to life, it changes lives. This is what we live for.

Orbia Fluor and Energy Materials (OFEM), an Orbia business, is currently seeking a Global Applications Director - Refrigerants for a remote position based in the USA or UK.

Main Purpose:

Lead and direct the Applications Development team to align with the business strategy of Orbia Fluor and Energy Materials (OFEM) Refrigerants Business Unit, focusing on new and emerging applications. Establish and maintain the necessary internal and external application infrastructure to achieve successful technical outcomes. Drive innovative technical excellence and maximize productivity from technical experts, ensuring optimal outcomes across the organization.

Key Responsibilities:

• Collaborate with business development, sales, and marketing teams to identify and understand customer needs

• Translate customer needs into product development for automotive, commercial refrigeration, and residential HVAC applications

• Represent the voice of market applications in the development and maintenance of the technology roadmap for the Refrigerant Business Unit, actively participating in long-term technology planning

• Determine, develop, and manage application development infrastructure, both internally and externally, to meet short- and long-term objectives

• Manage and build a strong applications development team, identifying resource needs and establishing partnerships to support development efforts

• Organize and oversee diverse global teams, ensuring effective long-term organizational development

• Maintain a comprehensive understanding of key refrigeration applications, including stationary comfort cooling, cold chain, and mobile HVAC systems

• Ensure alignment of technical work with project and business strategic goals, maintaining technical rigor throughout

• Establish and direct project and experimental processes, prioritizing safety, health, and environmental (SHE) standards

• Develop and implement technical service and product support strategies for both new ventures and established business areas

• Build a strong external network to accelerate development and optimize outcomes

• Work closely with R&D, process, commercial, and leadership teams across OFEM to align strategic initiatives

• Develop comprehensive project work plans, defining scope, objectives, and realistic timelines

• Collaborate with leadership on strategic actions for new product initiatives and projects

• Ensure representation in relevant industry bodies (e.g., ASHRAE, ISO, AHRI) to stay informed of competitor activity, customer requirements, and industry trends

Education Requirements:

• Advanced degree in Engineering, Chemistry, or a related field

• PhD in Engineering, Chemistry, or a related field is desirable

Knowledge and Experience Requirements:

• Minimum 15 years of business experience, with at least 5 years in a senior R&D or business development role

• Demonstrated expertise in application development within the automotive and/or stationary thermal management industries

• Proven ability to navigate complex international organizations, effectively engaging key executives and stakeholders while managing relationships

• Strong hands-on experience in application development, including infrastructure requirements and project management

• Recognized expertise in fluorination, fluorinated chemicals, applications, and engineering systems

• Proven track record of successful product development and/or product launches

• Excellent presentation skills, capable of delivering compelling, clear, and concise communications

• Strong networking and relationship-building skills, with the ability to connect internally and externally

• Exceptional organizational and people management skills; able to effectively convey information in a timely manner

• Proactive, self-driven, and committed to continuous learning and knowledge expansion

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to travel frequently and coordinate teams across various global regions

• Must be capable of working in laboratory and experimental testing settings, adhering to safety, health, and environmental (SHE) protocols

• Ability to perform tasks that may require standing, walking, lifting, and moving equipment as necessary

• Must have clear vision at both close and distant ranges to accurately assess experimental results and documentation

Language Requirements:

• English: Fluent – Strong verbal and written communication skills required to effectively collaborate with global teams and stakeholders