Your Opportunity as the Director, Frozen Handheld & Spreads R&D -Product Development & Process

As a key member of the Frozen Handheld & Spreads R&D leadership team, the Director will lead a seasoned team with responsibilities for delivering against the Frozen Handheld & Spreads SBA's strategic priorities related to the Frozen Handheld category. Key priorities in the immediate future include: Uncrustables (UNCR) Innovation pipeline including Transformation, Foundational Work to improve production efficiency, & 'run model' for the newly established Process Research Lab (Odyssey). You will be expected to help influence the innovation pipeline, provide scientific and technical guidance, support business continuity planning and continuous improvement across all aspects of R&D. Must be a strong steward of our brands, products, quality and safety who models Resonant Leadership and is passionate about coaching and development of the team. You will lead Product Development (including Discovery) and Process Engineering efforts for retail Frozen Handheld and partner with other Frozen Handheld & Spreads R&D Lead Team members for Products Research, Packaging, Technology Scouting & Analytical support.

Location: Orrville, OH Corporate Campus

Work Arrangements: Approximately 40%-50% expected in person/onsite presence with approximately 20% travel

In this role you will:

• Coach and develop individuals, managers and teams to have both the technical capabilities to drive business results, but also the resonant leadership to build engagement
• Through your team, successfully lead and manage a large, cross-disciplinary technical team through all aspects of the innovation life-cycle, establishing priorities for the team, tracking progress and providing course correction as appropriate throughout the year.
• Build strong, collaborative relationships with cross-functional partners, bringing technical leadership and driving decisions and strategic alignment through value-added expert input.
• As a member of the Frozen Handheld & Spreads R&D Leadership team, collaborate with peers to lead Frozen Handheld & Spreads' and the Company's R&D capability and systems (processes, competencies. policies, site programs, etc).
• Develop and deploy robust technical strategies to support a diverse portfolio of Innovation, Renovation, Value Engineering and Current Business Support initiatives.
• In partnership with peers in the Frozen Handheld & Spreads R&D Leadership team, manage and oversee productive resource allocation (people, budget, capital, etc.).
• Oversee utilization of the existing Frozen Handheld & Spreads PRL and the new UNCR PRL facility ensuring quality, safety (human & food), utilization, and continuous improvement.

The Right Place for You

We are bold, kind, strive to do the right thing, we play to win, and we believe in a strong community that thrives together. Our culture is rooted in our , and we believe in supporting every employee by meeting their physical, emotional, and financial needs.

What we are looking for:

Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree or higher in Science (e.g., Food Science, Chemistry, Physics, Biology, Nutrition, etc.) or Engineering (e.g., Chemical, Biochemical, Food, etc.)
• 10+ years of Consumer Packaged Goods Research & Development experience
• 5+ years in Consumer Packaged Goods Research & Development and/or Technical Services managing others, with at least 3 years at Sr. Manager level or higher
• Proven ability to manage teams of individual contributors
• Proven ability coach and develop talent.
• Experience successfully partnering with commercial functions to drive better outcomes
• Experience in building or improving existing R&D systems
• Experience leading CPG R&D functional workstreams from Concept to Commercialization
• Experience in 2 or more R&D sub-disciplines (e.g., Process, Formulation, Packaging, Products Research, etc), even as an individual contributor.
• Experience working in a highly collaborative team environment
• Demonstrated skills in strategic and critical thinking, impactful scientific research, study design, and analysis and interpretation of scientific data
• Demonstrated ability to consistently deliver high-impact results
• Ability to continually integrate new learnings with existing knowledge
• Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities
• Drives accountability for self and team

Additional skills and experience that we think would make someone successful in this role:

• Experience leading Product Development and/or Process Engineering
• Experience in the Food and Beverage industry
• Intermediate-level knowledge of requirements/regulations governing food formulations and claims
• Identify and implement Best in Class approaches to Product Development and/or Process Engineering.
• Collaborate with multi-functional partners to deliver business results.
• Assure sound assignment planning and succession planning for the employees in the department.

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