Director, Research & Development - Foodservice
About The Position
Grande is seeking an experienced professional to lead its Foodservice Business Unit Research and Development (R&D), New Products and Processes, and Starter Culture teams. This leadership role will be instrumental in advancing the company's position in creating "the finest Italian cheeses money can buy!" on both domestic and international scales. The Director will collaborate with the Sr. Flavor Architect, Group Vice President of FSBU, and their team to drive strategic initiatives, including new product launches and the advancement of the company's product trademark. The role involves a "designer" product model, integrating historical insights with new scientific research to achieve breakthroughs in product advancement. Additionally, the Director will lead continuous improvement initiatives and support the growth and development of team members, requiring a proven track record in developing individuals and teams, leading innovation, strategy planning, and product commercialization. This position is key to linking Foodservice Business Unit needs with R&D capabilities to advance strategic priorities and deliver exceptional results.
Requirements
- Bachelor's Degree in Biology, Microbiology, Bacteriology, Food Science, Food Engineering, or other related field, or equivalent experience.
- Minimum of ten (10) years of progressive leadership and R&D experience with a history of company stability.
- Experience with incorporating biological science into a manufacturing process.
- Experience understanding how biological components like dairy continue to evolve and develop post-production.
- 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.
- Ability to innovate and grounded in research and analytics, with a passion and patience for high quality food products.
- 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 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 exercise independent judgment and decision-making skills that demonstrate solid business acumen and sensitivity for Grande’s cultural norms and senior leadership expectations.
- Ability to foster relationships with internal stakeholders, external suppliers and key opinion leaders.
- Ability to develop teams and individuals to reach their full potential.
Nice To Haves
- Master's Degree or PhD preferred.
- Experience and knowledge in Dairy, Cheese, Fermentation or Culture Industries preferred.
- Strive to develop team with deep experience in people development.
Responsibilities
- Lead the Foodservice Business Unit Research and Development (R&D), New Products and Processes, and Starter Culture teams.
- Advance the company's position in creating "the finest Italian cheeses money can buy!" domestically and internationally.
- Collaborate with Sr. Flavor Architect, Group Vice President of FSBU, and team members to drive strategic initiatives.
- Lead new product launches and the advancement of the company's product trademark.
- Implement a "designer" product model, integrating historical insights with new scientific research for product breakthroughs.
- Lead continuous improvement initiatives.
- Support the growth and development of all team members.
- Develop individuals and teams.
- Lead innovation, strategy planning, and product commercialization.
- Manage professional-level product development staff and cross-functional teams.
- Communicate and work in an environment of deep collaboration and respect.
- Work in a "designer" product development and improvement model.
- Innovate and ground work in research and analytics, with a passion for high-quality food products.
- Translate market insights and innovative ideas into successful product and service implementations.
- Articulate the FSBU's strategic vision into sound innovation and R&D business plans and processes.
- Manage ambiguity and changes in direction inherent to the innovation process.
- Work effectively across functions and different levels of the organization.
- Work with commercial partners.
- Discern and see value in "historical insights" and learning from observations, applying them with new scientific research for product advancement.
- Exercise independent judgment and decision-making skills demonstrating solid business acumen and sensitivity to Grande's cultural norms and senior leadership expectations.
- Foster relationships with internal stakeholders, external suppliers, and key opinion leaders.
- Develop teams and individuals to reach their full potential.
Benefits
- Low-cost onsite clinics.
- Free onsite fitness center.
- Free healthy snacks throughout facility.
- Health and wellness reimbursement program.
- Associate cheese purchasing program.
- Two-year mentorship program.
- Relaxation rooms (based on location).
- Coffee and gelato bar (based on location).
- State of the art corporate building.
- Paid Parental Leave.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Director
