Research And Development Manager

Position Description:

Provide technical oversight and expertise in product development and innovation with a quality first mindset in the Frozen Novelties category. Assure raw material specifications along with product, process and packaging design parameters are met in both internal and external manufacturing facilities. Ensure that product objectives are met, logistics are effectively coordinated, and budgets are adhered to.

The ideal candidate will have a proven track record across Product Development in food manufacturing.

Responsibilities:

• This position is responsible for hands-on, day-to-day new product development, product modifications and process development activities for Tropicale Foods.
• Utilize scientific knowledge and customer insight into product design.
• Drive continuous improvement programs to find savings and efficiencies.
• Consumer testing, product sensory testing and shelf-life testing protocols.
• Ingredient functionality, flavor, formulation, nutrition, and food labeling regulations.
• Builds and leverages external relationships with science and technology solution providers, customers and vendors to maximize external capacity and competence. Leverages external ideas and combines those with individual creativity and internal scientific capability.
• Remain abreast of new/competitive technologies as they emerge and determine their application and/or impact to Tropicale Foods.
• Partner with Marketing and have a strong fundamental understanding of the on trend needs of customers and consumers.
• Deliver technical presentations and product showings to internal and external customers/contacts, board members and investors.
• Technical knowledge of quality systems, food safety and environmental management in food processing and understanding of federal regulations and government agencies (FDA, USDA, GRAS submissions).
• Documentation of final formulation and process parameters, while ensuring finished product compliance with Nutrition, Regulatory and Food Safety requirements.
• Responsible for developing finish products specification.
• Coordinate and attend plant trial to validate formula and process capabilities.

Requirements:

• B.S, M.S or Ph. D with experience in Food Science, Chemical Engineering or related fields along with 10+ years in the Food CPG R&D space.
• Experience in Ice Cream, Dairy, Confections and/or Frozen Novelties is ideal.
• Strong knowledge of the product development concept to commercialization process.
• Experience leading and working with cross-functional teams with strong people development skills and creating effective strategies and programs.
• Ability to travel up to 20%.

Culture Fit & Impact:

• Able to operate with limited resources to drive superior results.
• Act with humility, honesty and integrity.
• Inspires collaboration and transparency in team.
• Opportunity to create disruptive, long lasting and consumer loved products.
• Self-starter - possesses a mix of both tactical and strategic thinking.
• Understands how to work in an entrepreneurial organization that is running very fast.
• Able to deal effectively with ambiguity and changing priorities.
• Thrives under pressure and desires to learn and grow.
• Mission driven and interested in transforming the food industry.

Leadership Capabilities:

• Is self-driven, creative, innovative and has strong business acumen.
• Proven ability to leverage scientific insight for process or product development.
• Can work effectively in a team setting and has a bias for action.
• Is data driven and possesses excellent analytical, organizational and multi-tasking skills, as well as the ability to interact and collaborate successfully with all levels and functional areas.
• Can drive value in promoting others and prioritizes team over self-motivation. Is culturally sensitive and promotes diversity of all kinds.