Innovations Manager – Ingredients Division

Reporting to the Head of R&D, the Manager of Innovations – Ingredient Excellence Center will work actively with the Americas Ingredients leadership to develop and drive the Ingredients business.  This business will focus heavily on the development of new product ingredients and formulations.  This position will transfer the tremendous knowledge and experience built in Vietnam into our business in the US.  It will be part of a team of creative employees who will seek new and innovative ways to create new lines of business with our customers and seamlessly manage the overall customer experience for large Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) and Private Label customers.  This position will serve a critical role in designing the entire Ingredient Excellence Center for the business and putting in place a technical team to manage the business.  Direct people management experience is not required, however, having leadership capability is absolutely needed as there will likely be management responsibilities in the near future.  STRONG communication skills are also required as there is a great deal of customer communication that will take place in this position.  This position will require an individual who has proven experience in balancing the needs of the business with the wants and desires of the customer.  They should be motivated and engaged by the opportunity to build a new food ingredient business and new product lines in Ingredients.  This individual should be outgoing and professional.  They should excel in an ever-changing environment with a high expectation on successfully meeting competing business demands.  Brand new technical center!

Position Responsibilities:

• Manage the Ingredient Excellent Center (IEC) for the business in the United States, specifically located in Chicago
• Research high value growth opportunities to expand into commercial production plant for specialty ingredients
• Work with other Ingredients leadership to develop Innovation projects, including growth initiatives as well as those of strategic US and global customers
• Partner with global plant teams to:
  • Transfer the technology and process from lab and pilot trials to regular production of new ingredients
  • Finalize the specifications and standard operating procedures (SOPs) through partnership with the Quality teams
  • Troubleshoot and lead issue resolution during the start-up phase
• Provide continuous engagement and meaningful interactions with customers, including buyers, research and development (R&D)
• Partner with impacted technical teams to understand customer and R&D issues/obstacles. Work to proactively provide solutions that support the business and attaint customer goals
• Represent Ingredients at the Chicago Customer Solution Center (CSC) for all cross-product initiatives and during application development using ingredients

**If you’d like to hear more about this opportunity and others we are currently working on, please contact Kristine O’Sullivan at kosullivan@cps4jobs.com.

JO:  64.24KO
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Technical Qualifications:

• MS degree in Food Science, Food Engineering, Chemistry, or related field is required. PhD is highly preferred
• Five (5) years of previous Research and Development experience is required
• Experience in commercialization of Ingredients and Ingredients-based beverages a plus
• Experience with bio/ag food research experience is preferred
• Fermentation experience is a plus
• Experience with scientific literature, publications, and intellectual property is required
• Strong communication skills, both verbal and written, and excellent analytical and problem-solving skills are required

**If you’d like to hear more about this opportunity and others we are currently working on, please contact Kristine O’Sullivan at kosullivan@cps4jobs.com.

JO:  64.24KO
#LI-KO1