• Lead Dips / Salsa & high moisture food Breakthrough Innovation through ingredients, formulation, process technologies, and packaging interaction.
• Explore new ingredients, products, and processes leveraging internal and external resources.
• Work with Product Supply and Co-Manufacturing facilities to evaluate, qualify, and commercialize additional platform capacity.
• Design and execute experiments. Analyze and interpret data to make sound technical recommendations on product and process issues.
• Communicate impact to the business.
• Coordinate production at bench top, pilot plant, and manufacturing levels for shelf life, stability, sales samples, scale-up, and other needs.
• Heavy interaction and direct engagement with Contract Manufacturing & Ingredient Suppliers.
• Develop and maintain effective working relationships across R&D and non-R&D functions, including Procurement, Co-Manufacturing, Quality, SRA, and Legal.
• Provide trial and commercialization support to products at co-manufacturing facilities.
• Effectively manage multiple projects (new and existing) and project types (Innovation, Productivity, and Brand Stewardship), develop work streams, define resource needs, and drive alignment.
• Input, review, and finalize formula specifications and ingredient specifications.
• Actively participate in Marketing Research, including focus groups, consumer research, etc..
• Perform basic economic evaluations on ingredients, suppliers, and formulations.
• Support talent development by providing guidance and oversight to less experienced developers and technicians.
• Represent R&D on multi-functional business teams comprised of individuals from a variety of disciplines, including Marketing, Purchasing, Engineering, and other groups.
• Influence others through strong communication & interpersonal skills.
• Travel 25-30%

Qualifications

• M.S. or PhD degree in Food Science or Food Engineering or related field with 9+ years of experience – ideal experience working with high-moisture foods and thermal processing in rigid, semi-rigid, and flexible containers (shelf stable and refrigerated products).
• PhD preferred.
• Strong knowledge of ingredient functionality & formulation chemistry.
• Strong working knowledge of experimental design & product development protocols (from concept to execution), including formulation, stability testing, product/package interaction, and sensory and consumer testing methodology.
• Demonstrated ability to function effectively in a dynamic and fast-paced environment as well as manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Adapts to change. Demonstrates personal leadership to influence and positively motivate self and peers.
• Outstanding teamwork and communication skills.
• Can effectively work with various functions regardless of level (from techs to leadership).
• Strong organization, documentation, and formula management skills.