Senior Manager, Research & Innovation (R&D)

Danone•Louisville, CO

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

Reporting to the Sr Director of Research & Innovation for Beverage Creations, this position leads a team supporting the Danone Ready-to-Drink Coffee & Waters businesses. The incumbent is responsible for managing and developing a team of food scientists, managing a portfolio of product development projects with both local and global involvement and representing R&I as a leader with both internal and external stakeholders.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in food science or closely related field with at least 7-8 years of relevant progressive experience
Master’s degree in food science or closely related field with at least 5 years of relevant progressive experience
PhD degree in food science or closely related field with at least 3 years of relevant progressive experience
Prior experience must include significant product development, commercialization, stage gate and research, preferably focused on beverages and emulsion-based products.
At least 2 years of previous experience managing direct reports required.
Demonstrated examples of successful commercialization.
Demonstrated history of successful commercialization of in-market products that showcase meaningful points of difference, backed by trusted science, while delivering against consumer expectations
Understanding of sensory and consumer validation tools to ensure product quality
Awareness of consumer trends in ingredients, labeling and nutrition
Knowledgeable of food safety, HACCP, regulations and quality programs
Demonstrated analytical and problem-solving skills
Excellent written and oral communication skills
Solid planning, organizational, executional and time management skills
Drive for delivery of business results
Strong project management skills and proven ability to work with cross-functional teams
Ability and passion to manage and develop others
Attention to detail and ability to multi-task multiple projects while assessing and alleviating risks
Must be able and willing to travel up to 35%
Ability to safely work in a variety of environments including office, laboratory, and/or manufacturing plant settings where occupational noise and other hazards may exist

Nice To Haves

preferably focused on beverages and emulsion-based products.

Responsibilities

Directly manages a team of professional level product developers to include technical guidance, project and business advisement and career development.
Provides technical expertise in food science and product development while supporting team in developing project briefs, timelines, risk assessments, technical plans/reports and project updates.
Facilitates and fosters the ideation of possible new products, line extensions, and/or product reformulations with an emphasis on establishing points of difference versus competitors, promotion of nutrition/health/wellness and incorporating food safety/quality, creativity and a passion for food.
Plan, execute, and manage the development of prototype products in lab, pilot plant and at production facilities.
Maintain stringent technical and experimental documentation.
Source and maintain vendor relationships to secure the necessary ingredients that align with prevailing company standards.
Evaluate new suppliers and/or ingredients.
Support and drive global technical initiatives to support the long-term pipeline and strategy.
Provide technical support to engineering and operations teams to troubleshoot manufacturing challenges.
Facilitate needed sensory evaluations and consumer taste panels.
Utilize consumer insights to improve product formulations and qualify new innovations.
Ensure all developed products meet internal and external guidelines for nutrition, regulatory affairs, and food labeling.
Own the commercialization of products from ideation through scale up and retail launch.
Work with, and provide technical product leadership to, cross-functional teams including but not limited to Marketing, Sales, Business Development, Operations, Finance, Engineering, and Quality Assurance.
Provide oral and written progress updates to stakeholders and business leaders.
Must be able to clearly articulate technical product information in a format that is understandable to non-technical audiences.
All other duties as assigned.