Overview
Job Purpose Lead and coordinate innovation activities within the premium ceramic dental implant and prosthetic portfolio by ensuring strategic alignment, technical readiness, and customer-centric value creation across a distributed innovation organization.
Responsibilities
* Direct and coordinate early-stage innovation activities outside formal design control processes within the ceramic implant and prosthetic domain.
* Manage a portfolio of high-risk initiatives across multiple locations, functions, and external partners.
* Ensure innovation efforts are aligned with customer needs, product strategy, and corporate objectives while systematically reducing uncertainty across technical feasibility, business viability, desirability, and strategic fit.
* Combine strong technical expertise with strategic thinking and an entrepreneurial mindset; operate in a complex, cross-functional, and international environment, connecting stakeholders across R&D, product management, production, and external partners.
* Manage innovation projects and relationships with customers, internal stakeholders, academic and industrial partners.
* Drive innovation in the ceramic implant and prosthetic portfolio, including new materials, surfaces, and related production technologies.
* Ensure alignment of innovation activities with corporate strategy and long-term portfolio vision.
* Facilitate collaboration across internal departments (e.g., product development, regulatory, IP, production) and external partners to ensure efficient knowledge flow and execution.
* Scout, assess, and prioritize emerging technologies and innovation opportunities to strengthen the future ceramic portfolio.
* Support the transition of innovation projects into design-controlled development.
* Translate market insights and customer needs into clear problem statements and innovation priorities.
* Design and lead experimental studies based on defined innovation goals.
Education & Experience
* Education: University degree in engineering or life sciences (MSc or PhD level) or equivalent; project management training is an advantage; training or experience in innovation management is an advantage.
* Experience: 5+ years in a start-up environment, R&D or innovation in industry; ceramic materials (e.g., zirconia) and processing technologies, preferably in medical or dental applications; innovation project management, customer relationship management; product development in a regulated environment (preferably medical device business); initiation and management of collaborations with external partners (e.g., universities, technology owners, start-ups, and larger corporations).
Personal Attributes
* Strong interpersonal skills and actively cultivates a network of productive relationships in an international environment.
* Strong team player; dynamic and self-motivated; comfortable working in a matrix environment.
* Curious, open-minded, learner mindset; energetic, straight-forward and performance-driven with strong execution abilities and customer focus.
* Innovative and entrepreneurial personality capable of appropriate risk taking; strong customer orientation and results orientation.
* Strong analytical skills and self- and social-awareness; highly energetic and proactive.
* Display of personal and professional ethics and alignment with Straumann’s Mission and Culture.
* Strong communication skills in a multi-lingual environment; professional proficiency in English required; German is preferred.
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or disability.
Employment Details
* Employment Type: Full Time
* Location: Switzerland: Basel
* Travel Percentage: 0 - 20%
* Requisition ID: 20701
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