Vice President, Research & Development and Innovation

Ruiz Food Products • Frisco, TX

2d

About The Position

The Vice President, Research & Development and Innovation leads the company's product innovation and R&D strategy, overseeing product development, food science, commercialization, sensory programs, and portfolio enhancement. As a member of the Leadership Team, this role identifies growth opportunities, brings innovative products to market, and keeps the company responsive to consumer preferences, market trends, and business needs. The VP collaborates with Marketing, Sales, Operations, Supply Chain, Manufacturing, Finance, Food Safety, and Quality to develop and launch products that meet expectations for taste, quality, value, and performance while balancing innovation, operational capabilities, speed to market, and business results.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Food Engineering, Chemistry, Biology, or a related scientific discipline.
• At least 15 years of progressive food industry experience.
• At least 8 years of leadership experience managing R&D, product development, innovation, or commercialization functions.
• Experience in CPG, food manufacturing, or foodservice industries.
• Deep understanding of food science, ingredient technologies, product development, commercialization, and manufacturing processes.
• Strong business acumen and ability to connect innovation strategies to financial outcomes.
• Strong understanding of food quality standards, food safety principles, and regulatory requirements in a food manufacturing environment.
• Ability to balance innovation, product quality, operational capabilities, and business objectives.
• Exceptional leadership and team development skills.
• Strong strategic planning, project management, and decision-making abilities.
• Ability to influence and collaborate effectively across all levels of the organization.
• Experience managing complex cross-functional initiatives and organizational change.
• Proven record of bringing successful products to market and leading innovation portfolios.

Nice To Haves

• Master's degree.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute the company's innovation and product development strategy to support growth, profitability, and long-term business objectives.
• Lead Research & Development and Innovation activities from concept through commercialization.
• Drive the innovation pipeline by identifying consumer trends, competitive opportunities, and new product platforms.
• Partner with Marketing, Sales, Operations, Supply Chain, Quality, and Finance to commercialize new and improved products successfully.
• Set priorities for product development initiatives and align resources with strategic objectives and business needs.
• Provide technical leadership in food science, product formulation, ingredient functionality, product quality attributes, and manufacturing processes.
• Collaborate with Quality and Food Safety teams to ensure products meet company standards, regulatory requirements, and consumer expectations.
• Identify opportunities to improve product quality, consistency, and the overall consumer experience.
• Build, develop, and lead a high-performing team and foster innovation, accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Manage the R&D budget, innovation portfolio, and related performance metrics to use resources effectively and achieve business objectives.
• Serve on the leadership team and provide strategic recommendations supporting growth, operational excellence, and innovation leadership.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Executive