Director, Research & Development - Foodservice

Grande•Fond du Lac, WI

4d•Onsite

About The Position

Grande is seeking an experienced professional to lead our Foodservice Business Unit Research and Development (R&D), New Products and Processes, and Starter Culture teams. As a leader in the space, you will have the unique opportunity to help us further advance our position as creating “the finest Italian cheeses money can buy!” on both a domestic and international scale. Through partnership and collaboration with our Sr. Flavor Architect, Group Vice President of FSBU, and members of your exceptional team, you will play a key role in advancing the strategic initiatives of our company including the delivering of new product launches and leading the advancement of our world-class product Trademark. With over 80 years of history, this role will be integral in ensuring we advance our “designer” product model – discerning and honoring “historical insights” and observations and applying those with new scientific research to develop breakthroughs in product advancement. In addition, as a leader of this area, you will be empowered to lead continuous improvement initiatives and charged with supporting the ongoing growth and development of all members of the team. Therefore, it is imperative that candidates have a proven track record of developing individuals/teams as well as leading innovation, strategy planning and advancement, and product commercialization. This work is vital to ensuring you are supporting the ongoing advancement of Grande’s Mission and Culture. This exciting role plays a vital part in linking our Foodservice Business Unit needs (the what) and our R&D capabilities (the how) – and as leading member of our FSBU team, you are key to helping us advance our strategic priorities and delivering exceptional results! With this exciting role, you don’t have to love pizza…but it sure does help!

Requirements

Master's Degree or PhD preferred, Bachelor's Degree required in Biology, Microbiology, Bacteriology, Food Science, Food Engineering, or other related field or equivalent experience is required.
Minimum of ten (10) years of progressive leadership and R&D experience with a history of company stability.
Proven success in leadership roles encompassing innovation, strategy, planning, and product commercialization.
Proven leadership managing professional level product development staff and cross functional teams.
Ability to communicate and work in an environment of deep collaboration and respect.
Ability to work in a “designer” product development and improvement model.
Strong business acumen with an ability to translate market insights and innovative ideas and solutions to implementation of successful product and services.
Excellent communication skills with the capability of articulating the FSBU’s strategic vision into sound innovation and R&D business plans and processes.
Ability to manage and deal with ambiguity and changes in direction, both inherent to the innovation process.
Ability to work effectively across functions, different levels of the organization, and ability to work with commercial partners.
Ability to exercise independent judgment and decision-making skills that demonstrate solid business acumen and sensitivity for Grande’s cultural norms and senior leadership expectations.

Nice To Haves

Experience and knowledge in Dairy, Cheese, Fermentation or Culture Industries preferred.
Experience with incorporating biological science into a manufacturing process; experience with understanding how biological components like dairy continue to evolve and develop post-production.
Strive to develop team with deep experience in people development.
Ability to innovate and grounded in research and analytics, with a passion and patience for high quality food products.
Ability to discern and see value in “historical insights” and learning from unintended observations and applying those with new scientific research to develop breakthroughs in product advancement.
Ability to foster relationships with internal stakeholders, external suppliers and key opinion leaders.
Ability to develop teams and individuals to reach their full potential.

Responsibilities

Lead our Foodservice Business Unit Research and Development (R&D), New Products and Processes, and Starter Culture teams.
Advance our position in creating “the finest Italian cheeses money can buy!” on both a domestic and international scale.
Play a key role in advancing the strategic initiatives of our company including the delivering of new product launches and leading the advancement of our world-class product Trademark.
Advance our “designer” product model – discerning and honoring “historical insights” and observations and applying those with new scientific research to develop breakthroughs in product advancement.
Lead continuous improvement initiatives.
Support the ongoing growth and development of all members of the team.
Lead innovation, strategy planning and advancement, and product commercialization.
Develop teams and individuals to reach their full potential.
Foster relationships with internal stakeholders, external suppliers and key opinion leaders.
Exercise independent judgment and decision-making skills that demonstrate solid business acumen and sensitivity for Grande’s cultural norms and senior leadership expectations.
Communicate and work in an environment of deep collaboration and respect.
Innovate and be grounded in research and analytics, with a passion and patience for high quality food products.
Translate market insights and innovative ideas and solutions to implementation of successful product and services.
Articulate the FSBU’s strategic vision into sound innovation and R&D business plans and processes.
Manage and deal with ambiguity and changes in direction, both inherent to the innovation process.
Work effectively across functions, different levels of the organization, and with commercial partners.
Discern and see value in “historical insights” and learning from unintended observations and applying those with new scientific research to develop breakthroughs in product advancement.