Research and Development Project Manager

This role is responsible for supporting the organization’s product development and customer engagement strategy by managing all phases of product development projects for key customer accounts. Key area of expertise in various food categories, including dairy, cheese, sauce, vegetable and/or meat, to provide ingredient, processing, and related technical knowledge to support innovative solutions to meet customer needs.

Job Responsibilities

• Job is an individual contributor and has no direct reports.
• Develop and manage new product development projects through product development and the commercialization process.
• Identify opportunities to drive top line business growth via new and improved technologies, processes, or ingredients.
• Partners with other cross functional departments (Sales, Manufacturing, Culinary, Engineering, Quality, Operation Excellence) to provide technical leadership as a member of Product Development Team.
• Provides technical and scientific expertise to other R&D members, in the hands on development of new product, quality improvement, ingredient substitution, line extensions and any applied technology.
• Manage and perform product development in bench, pilot and plant operations levels meeting the product development needs of the projects.
• Provide technical guidance and solutions during cross functional team meetings bringing projects to commercialization.
• Provide leadership for customer specific trials and product development including pre-production planning and post-production summarization.
• Participate in weekly cross-functional customer meetings to ensure alignment and completion of tasks and objectives.
• Pro-actively recommend new concepts or prototypes in line with latest product trends.
• Provide reports to business teams regarding both tactical plans and achievements.
• This role has the responsibility to understand and placed in practice appropriate safety procedures.This responsibility is achieved through education, training, use of protective equipment (as applicable) and by following safety policies, regulations, standards, and laws.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Experience & Skills

• 5-10 years of experience in related field is preferred.
• In developing and commercializing of food products. Experience in kettle cooking, sous vide, dry sausage/meat processing or sauce/soup manufacturing is a plus.
• Excellent proficiency in all Microsoft Office Suite Products.
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively, both verbally and in writing, to influence business decisions.
• Strong knowledge of ingredient and functionality, product formulas, processing and manufacturing.
• Familiar with USDA/FDA regulations and standards.
• Experience with new product development processes and protocols.
• Demonstrated creative thinking and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work successfully independently and under limited supervision.
• Hands-on scientist that is able to manage multiple projects in a fast-paced environment.
• Excellent organization and time management skills.
• Proficient in use of both on-line work systems and product development software tools.

Education

• BA/BS or equivalent is preferred.
• In Food Science, Dairy Science, Meat Science or related fields.
• Advanced degree is a plus.

Work Environment

• Work can be performed within a manufacturing plant environment with noise, extreme temperatures, and significant movement of powered equipment, people and conveyors (may depend on the role).
• Work conditions are typical of an R&D Center.
• This role requires 30% domestic travel.
• Position may require the physical agility of lifting up to 50 pounds
• Position may require frequent and/or infrequent bending, squatting, pushing, pulling, stretching/reaching, use hands or fingers, talk, hear, feel objects, tools, controls and standing/walking on concrete flooring.
• Position may require the physical ability to stand/walk for Greater than 4 hours.