Director, Product Development Center

Alcorn State University•Lorman, MS

About The Position

The Director of the Product Development Center (PDC) leads the Center’s programming, revenue-generation activities, facility and equipment operations, staff supervision, and applied research and university engagement. The role plans and executes educational and technical programming throughout the year and develops services that connect agricultural production with value-added processing, entrepreneurship, marketing, and market access. The Center is expected to actively serve producers and businesses through programs and services, not operate solely as a facility available for use. The Director oversees equipment, supplies, assets, facility utilization, preventive maintenance, repairs, and compliance with University policies and applicable food safety, sanitation, occupational safety, and regulatory requirements. The position supervises PDC personnel, sets assignments and performance expectations, and supports staff development. It also builds opportunities for applied research, product development, student hands-on learning, and collaboration across the University’s academic, research, and Extension programs, demonstrating the University’s land-grant mission in practice.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Animal Science, Agricultural Science, Agribusiness, or a related field.
Experience in food processing, product development, or agricultural innovation.
Experience managing facilities, equipment, or technical operations.
Strong organizational, communication, and leadership skills.
Knowledge of agricultural production, value-added agriculture, food processing, product development, and/or agribusiness.
Knowledge of program development, implementation, evaluation, and continuous improvement.
Knowledge of revenue-generating and fee-for-service programs, including training, technical assistance, facility use, partnerships, and grants.
Knowledge of food safety, sanitation, occupational safety, and regulatory requirements applicable to food processing or agricultural facilities.
Knowledge of equipment and facility operations, including inventory control, preventive maintenance, scheduling, and asset utilization.
Knowledge of personnel supervision, performance management, and staff development.
Knowledge of applied research, Extension, and/or land-grant university programs and their role in serving producers, businesses, students, and communities.
Knowledge of basic budgeting, purchasing, contracting, and resource-management practices.
Skill in planning, organizing, implementing, and evaluating educational programs, workshops, demonstrations, certifications, and technical assistance activities.
Skill in developing programs and services responsive to agricultural producers, entrepreneurs, businesses, and industry partners.
Skill in managing multiple programs, projects, facilities, equipment, schedules, and priorities simultaneously.
Skill in building collaborative relationships with faculty, students, researchers, Extension personnel, producers, businesses, government agencies, and industry partners.
Skill in communicating technical and operational information effectively to diverse audiences.
Ability to translate the University’s land-grant mission into practical programs and services with measurable benefits for stakeholders.
Ability to develop and sustain an active, service-oriented center rather than relying primarily on passive facility use.
Ability to exercise sound judgment and independent decision-making in day-to-day Center operations.
Ability to establish priorities, allocate resources, meet deadlines, and hold personnel accountable for results.
Ability to develop collaborations across academic, research, Extension, industry, and community organizations.
Ability to identify opportunities for applied research, student experiential learning, product development, and industry engagement.
Ability to prepare and maintain accurate operational records, reports, inventories, schedules, and other documentation.

Responsibilities

Plan and execute a year-round calendar of educational programs, workshops, certifications, demonstrations, technical assistance, and training opportunities.
Identify and develop revenue-generating opportunities, including fee-for-service activities, training, facility use, technical assistance, product development services, partnerships, grants, and other approved initiatives.
Develop programs connecting agricultural production with value-added processing, entrepreneurship, marketing, and market access.
Ensure the Center actively serves producers and businesses through programs and services.
Maintain accurate inventories of Center equipment, supplies, and assets, and ensure equipment is scheduled, maintained, and utilized properly.
Establish preventive maintenance schedules and coordinate equipment and facility repairs and servicing.
Ensure compliance with University policies and procedures and applicable food safety, sanitation, occupational safety, and regulatory requirements.
Monitor facility utilization and identify opportunities to increase productive use of space and equipment.
Coordinate with University personnel on purchasing, contracts, maintenance, facility needs, and capital improvements.
Directly supervise PDC personnel; establish work assignments, performance expectations, schedules, and measurable outcomes.
Develop staff capacity through training and professional development.
Position the PDC as a working laboratory and innovation center that demonstrates the University’s land-grant mission.
Develop opportunities for faculty, students, researchers, producers, and industry partners to conduct applied research and product development through the Center.
Create hands-on learning opportunities for students in food processing, product development, entrepreneurship, marketing, business development, quality assurance, and related areas.
Build collaborations across the University’s academic, research, and Extension programs.
Perform other related duties as assigned.