JOB SUMMARY
The R&D Manager - VA, FS, and Retail, manages a technical team to develop or modify emulsion systems as required to meet project objectives and assumes the liaison role between R&D and a select customer base. Position success depends upon successfully meeting technical project requirements while managing customer relationships within a fast pace environment. Technical projects require manipulation of formula attributes; flavor, texture/rheology and visual, in addition to developing new product formulations, correcting operational deficiencies, and developing innovative product platforms within the market.
ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES
- Organize, prioritize, plan, execute, and document activity on weekly project load that allows project obligations to be met while resolving technical problems.
- Interact and communicate effectively with R&D Management, Marketing, Sales, Executive Management and current or potential business customers.
- Manage and preform scientific experiments and product development work in a laboratory setting to create product formulations, samples, and experimental data used in support of company driven projects.
- Identify and collect quantitative data, then interpret and analyze this data to provide insight and direction within development projects and solving problem scenarios.
- Proficiency in driving team alignment for utilizing corporate/business strategies within technical solutions, product and service offerings.
- Assess new and current food ingredients, including functionality and handling, to determine feasibility for utilization within supply chain.
- Travel to customer locations and work within their labs to develop new products or troubleshoot existing products.
- Identify relevant R&D team training needs and develop training plans that deliver training.
- Assist in the development of annual R&D budgets and manage the execution of these budgets throughout the fiscal year. Additionally, maintain awareness of the business context and company profitability, including budgetary controls necessary for proper monetary policy.
- Maintain a high level of competence and professionalism in a dynamic business environment (i.e., proficiency in driving team alignment on technical solutions and strategies).
- Liaise with internal Litehouse departments, such as Purchasing, Graphics, Quality Assurance, Operations, Customer Service, to align and streamline execution of activities required to produce new product formulations and successful execute upon customer projects.
- Liaise with Human Resources to practice and enforce environmental, health, and safety standards.
- Responsibility to adhere to Food Safety policies and report food safety and quality concerns to their supervisor.
- Ability to meet attendance requirements
- Ensure compliance with food safety guidelines
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
- Education: Master of Science (M.S.) preferred, but Bachelors of Science (B.S.) in Food Science, Food Engineering, Chemistry, or similar agricultural scientific discipline required from a recognized and accredited post-secondary institution. Equivalent combination of education and experience may be substituted.
- Experience: 10+ years of product development or closely related experience in food industry required.
- Experience using ROSS computer systems or other mainframe-based computer systems preferred, but not required.
KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS
- Academic food science knowledge with product development, new technology creation, and food manufacturing experience of food products intended for human consumption, specifically for salad dressing, sauces, dips, and a glaze, or other oil in water emulsion systems, is a fundamental prerequisite.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite with emphasis on advanced SharePoint, Excel and Word utilization.
- Aptitude to learn unfamiliar software systems and statistical computing programs.
- Ability to read and write correspondence and use basic technical/scientific terminology.
- Must have strong verbal and written communications skills with ability to express ideas effectively and efficiently with the ability to present information in one-on-one and small group situations to other employees (both technical and non-technical), multi-discipline management groups within the Litehouse organization and to external project customers.
- Demonstrated understanding of basic mathematics and more advanced mathematical concepts, including computing rates, ratios and percentages, and constructing, analyzing and interpreting information graphically.
- Ability to multi-task, focus and work efficiently in a fast-paced environment
- Ability to establish & maintain effective working relationships with all contacts inside and outside of the company with strong interpersonal and organizational skills
- Other activities and duties as assigned.
WORK ENVIRONMENT/PHYSICAL DEMANDS
Normal Office Environment
Exposure to fluorescent lights
Food laboratory setting with analytical equipment and diagnostics chemicals
- Sitting
- Walking
- Standing
- Near Acuity
- Speaking- Ordinary Speech
- Hearing- Ordinary Conversation
- Manual Dexterity- Computer Keyboard Fingering
The ideal candidate must be able to pass a background check and pre-employment drug test
We do not offer sponsorship
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status.
