Principal/Director , Innovation Consulting

Allow us to introduce ourselves.

At dss+, we are not just your average operations consulting firm; we are implementers and change makers. Our passion lies in engaging organisations to craft resilient and sustainable business, guiding them through transformational changes in safety, risk and resilience and through their energy transition. We take the complex world of risk and sustainability and translate it into actionable roadmaps that work with our clients’ business. We implement, working side-by-side with our clients to deliver real, tangible results.

dss+ services fall into three core areas—operational risk management, operational excellence and sustainability—each bolstered by learning, development and culture change solutions and digital technologies. Teams around the globe work with clients in metals and mining, chemicals, oil and gas, power and utilities, agriculture, food and beverage, industrial and manufacturing, and private equity.

The Opportunity

We are seeking a dynamic and strategic Principal, Innovation to lead innovation-driven transformation initiatives for our clients in the Chemicals industry. This role requires deep consulting experience in Commercial or Marketing functions, a strong understanding of R&D and Innovation processes, and a proven track record of delivering impact in the Chemicals industry.

What You Will Do:

Client Engagement & Leadership

• Lead strategic consulting engagements focused on innovation, commercialization, and marketing transformation for our clients in the Chemicals industry.
• Build trusted relationships with senior stakeholders both internally and externally.
• Translate client challenges into actionable innovation strategies and roadmaps.

Innovation Strategy & Execution

• Design and implement innovation programs, including product development, portfolio optimization, and go-to-market strategies.
• Advise on R&D transformation, technology scouting, and open innovation models.
• Drive cross-functional collaboration between R&D, marketing, and commercial teams.

Thought Leadership & Market Insight

• Stay ahead of emerging trends in Chemicals, sustainability, and digital innovation.
• Develop thought leadership content and represent the firm at industry events and forums.
• Contribute to internal capability building and mentoring junior consultants.

Business Development

• Identify and pursue new business opportunities within the Chemicals sector.
• Support proposal development and pitch presentations.
• Collaborate with global teams to bring best practices and insights to the China market.

Requirements

Background Required:

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Business, or related field.
• 15+ years of experience in consulting, with a focus on R&D, Innovation , Commercial or Marketing strategy.
• Experience of leading or setting up a practice would be highly beneficial
• Strong exposure to R&D or innovation functions, ideally within Chemicals or similar industries.
• Proven success in leading complex transformation projects.
• Business Development experience with the ability to identify new client opportunities and take the sales process from start to finish.
• Strategic thinking with strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Fluent in Mandarin and English.

Preferred Experience:

• Experience working with multinational chemical companies or leading Chinese chemical enterprises.
• Familiarity with digital tools and platforms used in innovation and R&D.
• Knowledge of sustainability trends and ESG imperatives in the Chemicals sector.