Sr. Director R&D – Kerr Restoratives, Endodontics and Rotary

Job Description:

The Sr. Director of R&D will be primarily responsible for driving strategic innovation initiatives and leading product delivery for the company’s Restoratives, Endodontics, and Rotary product lines. Responsibilities include strategic planning, technical leadership, budget management, mentoring the R&D management team, tracking KPIs, and ensuring timely completion of new product launches.

This position will be based in our Brea, California corporate office; however, the role will require frequent commutes to Pomona, CA.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

  • Oversee organizational development, hiring, leadership, staff development, and capacity planning.

  • Responsible for Kerr Restoratives, Endodontics and Rotary – new products technology and project management, as well as sustainment of existing products. Teams located in Southern California and in Europe.

  • Champion the development, maintenance, and performance against the product roadmap for the R&D organization. Look for areas to drive change and innovate across processes, products, and programs.

  • Ensure strong funnel creation by engaging with customers, KOLs, and partners. Facilitate and participate in ideation towards new products and strategies.

  • Establish and maintain a strong technology roadmap.

  • Engage with the global R&D team in a way that promotes a strong link to the company’s vision and high job satisfaction to motivate the team to perform its best.

  • Participate in the development of corporate project objectives and strategic planning and ensure execution.

  • Provide technical leadership to develop cutting-edge solutions, proactively bringing new ideas, technologies, and methodologies to the team. Ensure the optimal application of technology and engineering resources to meet product development and quality requirements.

  • Detail-oriented and prepared to be “hands-on” when necessary for problem-solving, brainstorming, and design reviews.

  • Remove barriers, streamline the infrastructure, be open to new opportunities at all levels, and look for bottom-line results.

  • Oversee the creation of all departmental budgets and manage them, taking into account the current revenue.

  • Hire, mentor, and coach the R&D management team in multiple global locations.

  • Ensure clarity of direction and management metrics are in place and tracked for the R&D organization. Oversee the creation, tracking, and maintenance of departmental and relevant KPIs.

  • Responsible for successfully delivering products to market and accelerating time to market.

  • Lead and/or assist in establishing external technology partnerships and participating in M&A activities.

  • Champions continuous improvement activities including Kaizen, 5S, Problem Solving Process, and Value Stream Mapping.

  • Travels up to 10% domestically and internationally.

Incidental Duties: The above statements describe the general nature and level of work being performed in this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, and indeed additional responsibilities may be assigned, as required, by management.

Job Requirements:

REQUIRED:

  • Bachelor’s degree in a related field
  • Minimum of 5+ years of experience leading a R&D or engineering team or equivalent.
  • Extensive experience in the full lifecycle of medical device product development with Class I, II, IIa (U.S. and Europe) required.  Experience with dental medical devices preferred.
  • Proven track record of successful product launches targeting a global customer base required.
  • Proficient in product development best practices required (i.e. DFM, DOE, FMEA, Lean PD, and agile methods).

PREFERRED SKILLS:

  • Master’s degree/PhD highly preferred.
  • Intermediate Microsoft Office including Excel and PowerPoint required.
  • Strong verbal and technical written communication skills in English required.
  • Strong presentation skills and ability to translate highly technical information required.
  • Ability to empower others to excel by holding them accountable, managing performance effectively, and confidently addressing challenging conversations with a positive and constructive approach.
  • Ability to build strong partnerships with other departments.
  • Ability to adapt to changing priorities in a fast-paced environment required.
  • Strong analytical skills and ability to leverage data when presenting a business case required.
  • Ability to handle situations with confidence, tact, and resourcefulness required.
  • Detail-oriented and the ability to solve complex problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists required.
  • Proven skills in active listening with a seeking-to-understand approach.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

  • Constantly sits.
  • Frequently uses hands and fingers.
  • Occasionally walks and stands.
  • Rarely bends and stoops.
  • Occasionally reaches up/down with arms. 
  • Occasionally lifts and/or moves up to 10 lbs.

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Target Market Salary Range:

Actual compensation packages take into account a wide range of factors that are unique to each candidate, including but not limited to geographic location; skill sets; relevant education and certifications; depth of experience; performance; and other business and organizational needs. The disclosed reasonable estimate has not been adjusted for the applicable geographic differential associated with the location at which the position may be filled.  At Envista, it is not typical for an individual to be hired at or near the top of the range for their role and compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case. The total compensation package for this position may also include an annual performance bonus, medical/dental/vision benefits, 401K match, and/or other applicable compensation plans.

$138,100 – $256,500

Operating Company:

Kerr

Envista and all Envista Companies are equal opportunity employers that evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, marital status, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or other characteristics protected by law. The “EEO is the Law” poster is available at: http://www.dol.gov/ofccp/regs/ compliance/posters/pdf/eeopost.pdf.

Envista and its family of companies (Envista) will not accept unsolicited resumes from any source other than directly from a candidate.  Envista will consider unsolicited referrals and/or resumes submitted by vendors such as search firms, staffing agencies, professional recruiters, fee-based referral services and recruiting agencies (Agency) to have been referred by the Agency free of charge and Envista will not pay a fee for any placement resulting from the receipt such unsolicited resumes.  An Agency must obtain advance written approval from Envista's internal Talent Acquisition or Human Resources team to submit resumes, and then only in conjunction with a valid fully-executed contract approved by the Global Talent Acquisition leader and in response to a specific job opening.  Envista will not pay a fee to any Agency that does not have such agreement and written approval in place.

Operating Company: Kerr
Location: Brea,CA,US
Date Posted: March 24, 2025
Req Number: R5022496

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Founded: 1891
Known for: Industry-leading dental consumables
HQ: Orange, California

For 125 years, Kerr has been serving the comprehensive needs of the entire dental care community in pursuit of enhancing oral health. Individual Kerr brands are encompassed within the Kerr Restoratives, Kerr Endodontics, Kerr Rotary, and Kerr TotalCare product lines. We believe in partnership because together, we’re more. We partner with our customers to help them provide the best possible outcome for their patients. We partner with our employees to provide the training, resources, and opportunities that allow each of them to show up every day as their authentic self and thrive. Join a global organization where you have the power to make a difference, and celebrate the difference in others.

For more information, please visit our website.

Founded: 1891
Known for: Industry-leading dental consumables
HQ: Orange, California

For 125 years, Kerr has been serving the comprehensive needs of the entire dental care community in pursuit of enhancing oral health. Individual Kerr brands are encompassed within the Kerr Restoratives, Kerr Endodontics, Kerr Rotary, and Kerr TotalCare product lines. We believe in partnership because together, we’re more. We partner with our customers to help them provide the best possible outcome for their patients. We partner with our employees to provide the training, resources, and opportunities that allow each of them to show up every day as their authentic self and thrive. Join a global organization where you have the power to make a difference, and celebrate the difference in others.

For more information, please visit our website.

About Envista Play Video

About Envista

Envista is a global family of more than 30 trusted dental brands, united by a shared purpose: to partner with professionals to improve lives. Envista helps its partners deliver the best possible patient care through industry-leading products, solutions, and technology. Our comprehensive portfolio, including dental implants and treatment options, orthodontics, and digital imaging technologies, covers an estimated 90% of dentists’ clinical needs for diagnosing, treating, and preventing dental conditions as well as improving the aesthetics of the human smile.

About Envista Play Video

About Envista

Envista is a global family of more than 30 trusted dental brands, united by a shared purpose: to partner with professionals to improve lives. Envista helps its partners deliver the best possible patient care through industry-leading products, solutions, and technology. Our comprehensive portfolio, including dental implants and treatment options, orthodontics, and digital imaging technologies, covers an estimated 90% of dentists’ clinical needs for diagnosing, treating, and preventing dental conditions as well as improving the aesthetics of the human smile.

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