Associate R&D Director for Cheese Product Development

OVERVIEW

The Associate R&D Director is responsible for leading multiple business segments, geographical locations, and employees in Savencia North America R&D Department. This position is responsible for initiating, planning, carrying out, and reporting back on Cheese related projects, as an individual contributor and as a team leader. The R&D Associate Director is a seasoned project and people manager, able to independently manage and develop team members, priorities, and multiple cheese-related projects effectively. This position reports to the VP of R&D.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

LEADERSHIP:

• Responsible for primary day-to-day leadership of the R&D Product development and Industrialization team in the areas of cream cheese, soft ripened cheese, blue cheese and other dairy-based products.
• Capable of strategic and tactical leadership of multiple business segments in high-volume manufacturing locations throughout the US; Foodservice, business to business, retail, consumer brand, co-pack, export. Must be capable of leading through ambiguity and helping to craft go-forward plan.
• Assumes leadership (accountability and responsibility) and demonstrates in-depth knowledge of the cheese and dairy product business segments with capability to lead technical (such as ingredient, processing, formulation, industrialization) and application development efforts to drive business growth.

EXECUTION:

• Ensure all projects from business segments/locations are fully scoped, risks assessed, budgets are met, and high-quality products are designed/manufactured and delivered on agreed timelines that meet or exceed internal and external customer’s expectations.
• Leads the management of strategy implementation, staff, and project work. Leads the team by directing the activities, setting priorities, developing and supporting team members’ career path, ensuring personnel development plans and objectives are set according to strategy and delivered upon, provides coaching and feedback to team.
• Able to independently lead platform level efforts from inception to communication elements to implementation and follow up.
• Independently capable of assessing industrial capabilities and connecting ideation to customer business plans; developing/conceiving business opportunities for Savencia North America with a strong ability to develop clarity and focus through uncertainty.
• Leads efforts to drive improvements in ways of working via establishing systems and processes, driving technical acumen, and intra-department culture.

COMPLIANCE:

• Develops excellent customer relationships that support mutual business growth and common goals of success; capable of resolving customer problems and setting go-forward plans.
• Responsible for adhering to all quality system requirements and Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs).
• Follows plant rules & comply with applicable regulatory standards and performs other duties as assigned.
• Assist with support for cross-facility teams at Savencia North America.

KEY COMPETENCIES

• Min. 5 years proven people management and development skill
• Min. 4 years of experience in natural cheese production and R&D
• Product and process development track record in cheese production environment
• Problem solving skills and ability to bring solutions quickly in high-speed working situation
• Ability to work with cross functional team to achieve a goal
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, foster collaboration
• Ability to adapt to changes and respond to achieve business objectives
• Manage and work with confidential information
• Speaking and writing another language is a plus

KEY BEHAVIORS FOR SUCCESS IN THIS ROLE

• Curiosity, operating with confidence and composure to drive a high standard of accountability
• Mastery of building internal/external relationship to effectivity negotiate and resolve conflicts
• Can delegate, drive focus/clarity in complex situations acting as a coach to team members
• Demonstrate patience with ability to manage through thought processes and influence with/without authority
• Demonstrates the ability to adapt to a changing environment and to adjust approach to achieve goals

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE 

• 4-year degree in Food Science/Dairy Technology or related field
• 6-10 years of increasing responsibilities experience in Food/ Ingredient development or Processing in a high-speed manufacturing environment, preferably consumer packaged goods
• Minimum 3 years’ experience working and developing cream cheese and soft ripened cheese products. Blue cheese experience is a plus
• Ability to manage people and lead teams is required.

TRAVEL

• This position is located in New Holland PA, USA and requires up to 45% travel including travel to other production facilities.