R&D Manager

Would you like to be part of an established company that has fantastic benefits, an impressive budget for research and is the market leader in two billion-dollar categories?  My company hosts iconic brands, is steadily growing and is in the process of building a new, state of the art innovation center.

If you have a PhD and enjoy managing scientists in the food industry, please reach out to me directly.  Maryr@cps4jobs.com.

Overview:

The Research and Development Manager is responsible for leading a team of scientists to conduct timely and relevant dairy microbiology, chemistry, and texture research to propel the business forward.  The key role of this team is to explain and improve understanding of phenomena using established and advanced analytical tools and research methods.  A primary duty of the manager is to advance the team’s skills and capabilities and create development opportunities.  The manager maintains resources dedicated to starter culture selection, product attribute measurement, analytical chemistry, and pilot plant capability.  Additionally, the R&D Manager inspires the team of scientists to find and apply technology to support the company’s objectives.  The Research and Development Manager reports to the Director of Innovation and Technical Services and works with Product Development, Technical Services, Manufacturing, Continuous Improvement, and Engineering to improve the business.

Responsibilities:

• Build a research department that attracts top talent
• Pursue strategies to continually find scientists with competencies to elevate our work
• Mentor scientists and create career development opportunities
• Plan, prioritize, and manage projects to accomplish corporate goals
• Develop new products and improve the quality and consistency of the existing ones
• Conduct collaborative research with suppliers and universities
• Investigate new analytical capabilities and qualify new instrumentation
• Develop new testing methods for research, quality, and processing
• Proactively conduct research that anticipates future needs
• Contribute to the innovation process and support the launch of new product and processes
• Oversee starter culture strategies and programs
• Assist QA to qualify new analytical instrumentation used in manufacturing
• Managed R&D expenses, including submitting an annual budget for R&D activities
• Ensure confidentiality is maintained during experimentation and in contracts relating to research and technology
• Establish documentation guidelines for R&D ensuring quality, conformity, and security
• Contribute to problem solving in manufacturing facilities
• Conduct technical training, determined on a case-by-case basis
• Function as a technical resource for other departments in the company
• Manage the pilot plant operation to conduct research, develop new products, evaluate and optimize processing parameters, develop new processes, and unlock potential business opportunities
• Manage a diverse portfolio of research projects
• Seek opportunities to publish studies in reputable journals that contribute to the general body of knowledge and advance the dairy industry

**If you’d like to hear more about this opportunity and others we are currently working on, please contact Mary Harris-Rigas at maryr@cps4jobs.com.

JO:  309.23MH
#LI-MH1

Technical Qualifications:

• Ph.D. degree in food science, dairy manufacturing, engineering, microbiology, chemistry, or a related field
• At least 10 years of industrial experience
• Dairy industry experience
• Cultured dairy products research experience
• Successful people management record
• Project management experience
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills to work up and down the organizational structure
• Excellent presentation skills
• Strong leadership skills including decision making, delegation, listening, and inspiring others
• Sense of urgency and accountability
• Demonstrated ability to drive complex projects
• Ther ability to deliver results and quality research in a demanding environment
• Technical depth in dairy systems and processing
• The ability to deliver innovative ideas
• Experience with data analysis, experimental design, statistics, and statistical software
• Experience with chemical, microbiological, and textural analysis of dairy products
• Knowledge of starter cultures n dairy products
• Proven record of publishing in reputable journals
• Organization, goal setting, and prioritization skills
• Semi-frequent travel is required

**If you’d like to hear more about this opportunity and others we are currently working on, please contact Mary Harris-Rigas at maryr@cps4jobs.com.

JO:  309.23MH
#LI-MH1