What are the responsibilities and job description for the Research and Development Manager position at Champion Foods?
Baking a Better Future
Champion Foods, a pizza trailblazer, is expanding, and we're looking for dynamic talents to enhance our innovative and quality-driven team. We produce products cherished by families nationwide and pride ourselves on our entrepreneurial spirit, commitment to quality, and a warm workplace culture that feels like family. If you're passionate, eager to grow, and want to work for a company that values each voice and champions personal development, your next career adventure starts here. Join us, and let's craft great things together, one delicious slice at a time.
Your Mission:
Take the lead in research, design and recommendation of new products resulting from Concept to Market meetings, customer requests or management direction. Work with research sciences, operations and other resources to assess product feasibility, costs and revenue potential in the market. Define product specifications for product development initiatives that meet or exceed all product requirements, regulatory standards, including but not limited to Federal Drug Administration (FDA), Global Food Safety Initiatives (GFSI), USDA, or other quality and food safety requirements. This position will operate under minimal supervision from management and have discretion to adjust formulas, product evaluations or other variables during the development phase. This position will directly supervise the Food Technicians
What You'll Do:
- Lead efforts involved in new product/processes development and improvement, including but not limited to product concept, design, ingredients, cost, production and packaging.
- Initiate, evaluate plans direct, execute, implement and report on activities related to the development of new products, improvements or cost savings ideas.
- Create and manage approved specifications and document results of experimental and developmental tests.
- Provide leadership to product testing pilots, including quality, cost, feasibility and production potential of all new products.
- Work with cross-functional teams to deliver projects for top and bottom line growth.
- Identify opportunities for competitive market advantages.
- Investigate and document any compliance issues. Provide results to management and make recommendations related to results of investigations.
- Maintain all recordkeeping related to research and development projects or issues.
- Provide leadership to the research & development team by directly supervising all Food Technicians.
- Follow regulatory and technological changes that may affect the food industry by maintaining professional contacts with peers in the industry, universities and government organizations.
- Work with ingredient or other suppliers as required.
- Travel to customer or vendor sites as needed.
- Participate in project teams or perform work additional work assignments as requested. Collaborate with other work groups to promote and sustain plant quality systems.
What You'll Bring:
- Bachelor degree in Food Science, Microbiology, or related field.
- Minimum of four (4) years’ experience in product research and development. Knowledge of food production and packaging a plus.
- Knowledge of chemical composition, structure and properties of substances, chemical processes, production techniques, product specifications, safety, sanitary and food storage and handling techniques.
- Three (3) to five (5) years of project management experience. Demonstrated ability to move products from ideation to commercialization.
- In-depth knowledge of requirements for nutritional data and regulatory requirements from USDA and FDA as well as state and local health and food safety codes. Previous experience with American Institute of Baking (AIB), BRC, and HACCP requirements.
- Evidence of highly developed research skills and ability to find, analyze, interpret and critique data quickly and accurately. Evidence of strong analytical and organization skills with the ability to multi-task and prioritize concurrent projects.
- Strong problem-solving skills with the ability to apply clear logic to troubleshoot and resolve conflicts and unexpected outcomes.
- Evidence of effective communication skills, including the ability to present technical information to a variety of audiences. Demonstrated strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills with both internal and external contacts.
- Evidence of computer proficiency (database, Internet, Microsoft Office, etc.).
- Ability and willingness to travel as needed.
Where You'll Work:
- Food manufacturing environment.
All items listed above are illustrative and not comprehensive. They are not contractual in nature and are subject to change at the discretion of Champion Foods LLC.
Champion Foods LLC is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regards to that individual’s race, color, religion or creed, national origin or ancestry, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity, age, physical or mental disability, veteran status, genetic information, ethnicity, citizenship, or any other characteristic protected by law.
The Company will strive to provide reasonable accommodations to permit qualified applicants who have a need for an accommodation to participate in the hiring process (e.g., accommodations for a job interview) if so requested.
This company participates in E-Verify.