Director of China Innovation Center

Job Description

The China Innovation Director is responsible for defining and executing a unified China innovation strategy, serving as the single voice to global stakeholders while accelerating localized innovation. This role integrates workflows, software, automation, and frontier technology scouting to rapidly develop, pilot, and scale solutions – both within China and globally.

Positioned at the intersection of customer needs, emerging technology, and global product strategy, this role will drive a high-speed innovation engine that translates local insights into scalable business impact, while helping shape Agilent’s future innovation strategy.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

• Design, test, and implement a unified China Innovation operating model integrating workflows, software, automation, and frontier technology scouting
• Own and coordinate the overall China innovation strategy, ensuring alignment with global priorities
• Represent China innovation initiatives as the single voice to global teams

Team Leadership & Development

• Lead and scale a multidisciplinary team (~16 members), including software engineers, automation and AI specialists, tech scouts, and customer engagement roles
• Foster a high-performance, agile culture focused on rapid experimentation and delivery
• Build capabilities across AI, automation, and software to support innovation goals

Customer-Centric Innovation

• Drive a high-speed learning loop through deep customer engagement to rapidly identify needs and co-develop solutions
• Enable fast prototyping, iteration, and deployment of localized workflow and digital solutions
• Partner with commercial and business divisions to accelerate adoption and commercialization

Innovation Ecosystem Engagement

• Actively engage with China’s external innovation ecosystem, including startups, academia, and technology partners
• Identify and develop strategic partnerships for co-development and technology adoption
• Collaborate with internal CTO/Frontier teams to scout and evaluate emerging technologies

Alignment & Coordination

• Ensure tight alignment with global functional teams (e.g., R&D, Software & Automation teams)
• Avoid duplication of solutions and ensure consistent messaging to multinational customers
• Create strong feedback loops between China market insights and global product development

Product & Global Scaling

• Build a pipeline of technologies, talent, and business models developed in China
• Identify opportunities to productize and scale innovations globally
• Partner with global teams to integrate China-driven innovations into broader product roadmaps

Reporting & Governance

• Lead monthly reporting, track KPIs, and drive global alignment meetings
• Ensure systematic capture and integration of local learnings into corporate strategy
• Establish governance processes to monitor performance and innovation outcomes

Qualifications

Qualifications

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Engineering, Data Analytics, or related field required; MBA or advanced degree preferred.
• 8–12+ years of experience in innovation, R&D, or technology leadership roles, with demonstrated success leading multidisciplinary teams and delivering customer-centric solutions in complex, global environments.
• Familiarity with China-specific regulations, including AI governance, data privacy/export controls, and intellectual property

Key Competencies

• Deep understanding of the local China market, customer landscape, and innovation ecosystem, with specific knowledge of the Analytical Instrumentation space
• Proven ability to lead and align multidisciplinary teams across innovation, R&D, and technology functions
• Strong track record of driving continuous innovation while maintaining high standards of execution
• Strong familiarity with workflow solutions, software development, automation, and AI technologies in Analytical Instrumentation space

• Ability to translate technical capabilities into customer value and scalable business solutions

• Experience operating within a “try-and-learn” environment with rapid iteration, testing and deployment cycles
• Comfortable navigating ambiguity, risk, and fast-paced environments

• Skilled at bridging local commercial needs with global R&D, products, and CTO functions

Additional Details

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