Director, Research & Development

Basic American Foods • Blackfoot, ID

267d • $165,000 - $185,000

About The Position

At Basic American Foods, we have been crafting reliable foods since 1933. We are looking for a high-impact R D leader with a passion for core innovation to drive profitable growth within our portfolio of potato and bean products. This role is a key member of our Commercial leadership team and will drive the development of new products, technologies, and solutions that keep us at the forefront of our field. From concept to shelf, you'll lead a passionate team of food scientists and project managers to develop products that taste amazing, meet evolving consumer needs, and complement our core capabilities. The ideal candidate will have experience in food R D, strong leadership skills, experience managing cross-functional teams, excellent communication skills, be technically savvy, and be familiar with both foodservice and consumer markets. Experience in the potato industry and a passion for potatoes is preferred! This position is located on-site in a manufacturing setting in Blackfoot, Idaho with opportunity for a hybrid schedule. Relocation assistance is available.

Requirements

• 8-10 years of related experience leading or as part of an R D/product development team.
• Strong preference for experience within the potato industry.
• Bachelor's degree from a four-year college or university in a related field of science, such as food science, agricultural science, biology, etc.
• Experience managing teams of three or more.
• Knowledge of the foodservice and consumer markets, food regulations, product commercialization, and agricultural innovation.
• Strong leadership skills and experience managing cross-functional teams.
• Excellent analytical, communication, and project management skills.
• Experience with customer and consumer product research methodologies.
• Technically savvy with system experience with development software, manufacturing software, project management software, and spreadsheet software.

Nice To Haves

• Professional member of the Institute of Food Technology is preferred.
• Experience in the potato industry is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead Product Development and R D for Basic American Foods. Areas of accountability include product development, process development, packaging development, sensory, and pilot plant operation. Provide clear direction and leadership to help establish team priorities.
• Partner with Channel Marketing and Product Strategies teams to identify new product platforms and drive short-, medium- and long-term growth projects to completion. Actively participate and provide leadership for the ideation of new product ideas by staying current with creative thinking techniques, innovation methodologies, consumer insights, culinary trends, regulatory and labeling trends, and overall industry trends.
• Lead the product development and commercialization process. Develop and maintain up to date technical expertise of the R D team including new ingredient technologies, new and novel processing technologies, new packaging technologies, and customer and consumer research methodologies in support of our new product innovations and core dehydrated products. Encourage continuing learning opportunities for the team.
• Manage and improve the Concept to Commercialization (C2C) process for all new products developed internally and externally, including macro and micro processes. Effectively manage the team budget and other resources in accordance with project demands and the BAF strategic goals, and coordinate project activities and priorities with other BAF cross functional areas including Marketing, Finance, Operations, Quality and Regulatory, Procurement, Design Engineering, and others as required throughout the new product development cycle.
• Lead knowledge management for the R D organization, including the management of trade secrets, intellectual property and patents.

Benefits

• Competitive medical, dental, and vision insurance plans.
• 401(k) with profit sharing.
• A generous time off program.
• Life and disability insurance.
• Adoption assistance.
• A scholarship program for children of employees.
• An employee assistance program for you and your family.
• Competitive base salary with an expected pay range of $165,000-$185,000 annually.
• Annual incentive.
• Relocation assistance to southeast Idaho.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Industry: Food Manufacturing
• Education Level: Bachelor's degree