Vice President Technology & R&D ContiTech (m/f/diverse) - REF92468U

At ContiTech, we are shaping the future of material-driven solutions. As a (senior) executive at group level you will own and steer the global technology, material and product platform strategy across ContiTech – translating technological excellence into measurable business impact, sustainability outcomes and long-term competitiveness.

Your Role & Impact:

Material & Product Platforms

• Define, implement and continuously evolve global material and product technology platforms across ContiTech
• Balance performance, scalability, complexity and cost to ensure long-term competitiveness and platform reuse
• Steer the global technology portfolio towards performance leadership, carbon neutrality and circularity
• Secure and execute robust, standardized research, testing and qualification frameworks to ensure technical excellence, compliance and speed-to-market

Technology Governance & Operating Model

• Drive R&D and innovations across regions and business areas for respective business needs
• Execute data- and tool-enabled transparency in portfolio management, decision-making and technology performance
• Ensure consistent application of technical standards, regulatory requirements and compliance across the ContiTech portfolio

Sustainability & Circular Economy

• Translate ContiTech’s sustainability ambitions into clear technology and platform roadmaps
• Embed carbon-neutral and circular-economy principles into material choices, product architectures and innovation priorities
• Ensure sustainability targets are measurable, scalable and economically viable

Digital Products & Technology Platforms

• Shape and govern technology platforms for hardware- and software-enabled products
• Define clear ownership models and interfaces between digital, material and product development
• Ensure security, reliability, data integrity and regulatory compliance across an increasingly connected technology ecosystem

Innovation & Business Modeling

• Operate and develop innovative venture unit business
• Drive structured tech scouting and innovation initiatives aligned with strategic priorities
• Enable entrepreneurial thinking across R&D and business areas, with a clear focus on scalability and value creation

Research & External Collaboration

• Define a long-term research and technology vision for ContiTech
• Build and leverage a strong global ecosystem of academic, industrial and research partners
• Position ContiTech as a preferred partner for material-driven innovation worldwide

• PhD in Chemistry or a closely related scientific discipline
• Extensive international experience in technology-related business functions, ideally within the rubber or materials industry
• Demonstrated leadership track record in complex, transformation-driven environments
• Strong understanding of value creation in technology-focused organizations; experience in private equity contexts is an asset
• Proven ability to translate customer and market needs into scalable technology and platform strategies
• Confident, credible leadership personality with the ability to lead through change and ambiguity
• Strong business acumen combined with an execution-oriented mindset
• Fluent in German and English (written and spoken), with strong communication and stakeholder-management skills

Applications from severely handicapped people are welcome.

The well-being of our employees is important to us. That's why we offer exciting career prospects and support you in achieving a good work-life balance with additional benefits such as:

• Training opportunities
• Mobile and flexible working models
• Sabbaticals

and much more...

Sounds interesting for you? Click here to find out more. 

Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging are important to us and make our company strong and successful. We offer equal opportunities to everyone - regardless of age, gender, nationality, cultural background, disability, religion, ideology or sexual orientation.

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Ready to drive with Continental? Take the first step and fill in the online application.

Continental is a leading tire manufacturer and industry specialist that develops and produces sustainable, safe and convenient solutions for automotive manufacturers as well as industrial and end customers worldwide. Founded in 1871, the company generated sales of €39.7 billion in 2024 and currently employs around 95,000 people in 54 countries and markets. 

ContiTech is one of the world’s leading industry specialists. The Continental group sector offers its customers connected, environment-friendly, safe and convenient industry and service solutions using a range of materials for off-highway applications, on rails and roads, in the air, under and above the ground, in industrial environments, for the food sector and the furniture industry. With about 39,000 employees in more than 40 countries and sales of some 6.4 billion euros (2024), the global industrial partner is active with core branches in Asia, Europe and North and South America.