Director, R&D Kettle

CTI Foods • Saginaw, TX

7d

About The Position

Welcome to CTI Foods, where quality, service, and people are at the heart of everything we do. We are a leading food manufacturing company, dedicated to providing our customers with the best possible products and our employees with a rewarding career. At CTI, we passionately believe that people are our #1 ingredient. We provide a positive and supportive work environment, opportunities for growth and advancement, and a competitive compensation package. We value our employees' contributions and strive to create a culture of respect, teamwork, and excellence. Whether you're interested in a career in production, quality control, or management, we have a variety of opportunities available. We believe that our success is a result of our focus on quality, service, and people, and we look forward to continuing to serve our customers and employees with excellence. If you're looking for a rewarding career in the food manufacturing industry, look no further than CTI Foods! Join our team and become a part of a company that values quality, service, and people. Job Overview The Director of R&D for the Kettle Business will lead all product development and innovation initiatives related to kettle-cooked products, including soups, sauces, and other wet-processed foods. This role is responsible for driving technical strategy, ensuring compliance with food safety standards, and delivering customer-focused solutions that align with business objectives.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Food Science, Food Engineering, or related field; advanced degree preferred.
• Minimum 10+ years of experience in food product development, with significant expertise in kettle-cooked products
• Proven track record of leading R&D teams and successful product commercialization.
• Strong knowledge of food safety regulations and process optimization.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and project management skills.
• Integrity, Collaboration, Continuous Improvement, and Accountability.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and manage multiple projects simultaneously.

Responsibilities

• Strategic Leadership: Develop and execute the R&D strategy for kettle products to support growth and profitability goals.
• Identify emerging trends and technologies to maintain competitive advantage in kettle processing.
• Product Development & Commercialization: Oversee formulation, process development, and scale-up from bench to plant trials.
• Ensure successful commercialization of new products, meeting quality, cost, and timeline targets.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner with Sales, Operations, FSQ, and Procurement teams to align product development with customer needs.
• Provide technical expertise during customer presentations and product launches.
• Compliance & Safety: Ensure adherence to GMPs, SSOPs, and regulatory requirements throughout development and production.
• Team Leadership: Manage and mentor a team of scientists and technicians, fostering a culture of innovation and continuous improvement.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director
• Number of Employees: 1,001-5,000 employees