APPLICANT MUST HAVE CURRENT/RECENT FOOD/BVG MFG EXPERIENCE TO BE CONSIDERED

·          Coach, develop and manage a group of six R&D food scientists (MS/PhD) and technicians, and enable their success through mentoring relationships that foster professional and individual career development while delivering solid business results.

·          Lead cross-functional leadership team responsible for staging 18 month play-book strategy for launching Rapid Response projects. Work closely with peers in other functions (primarily marketing, product supply and consumer insights) to identify cost savings, product improvement/line extensions and new product opportunities through consumer exploratory work.

·          Within R&D, provide technical leadership to drive Brand Health initiatives, including Cost Savings, Supply Assurance, Consumer Complaints, Regulatory Compliance, and Technology Strategy.

§          Provide regulatory, safety, claims and marketing communication support to entire Foods SBU.

§          work working closely with PSRC, Legal, Brand and Sales on consumer/customer relevant topics (MSG, HFCS, melamines, mercury, sodium.)

§          Support Claims and Marketing Communication efforts across all brands.

·          Responsible for assigning resources and guidance to R&D team in order to effectively and efficiently support business demands through cross-functional partnerships – some accomplishments include:

§          Manage FTE allocation and prioritization based on SPP initiatives.

§          Lead strategy to implement active partnership with Global Strategic Sourcing in order to identify, prioritize and execute cost saving and supply assurance projects

§          Responsible for maintaining Stage Gate dbase up-to-date on resource allocation, research expenses and risk assessment for management roll-up at end of every Quarter.

§          Train and on-board new hires on the Technical Roadmap for Foods Product Development.

·          Lead and manage overall organizational development and design strategy, including hiring decisions and new position creation. Manage CapEx budget for Foods R&D Lab. Provide guidance for discretionary, non-recurring budget for entire Foods SBU including travel, technical services and consumer & market research spending. Oversee expenses for general lab and facilities maintenance

·          Serve as principal contact for technology, intellectual property and regulatory compliance groups, including consumer demo development and labeling accuracy per FDA 21CFR.

·          Lead technical and business contact for contract manufacturing and specialty certification (Organic/Kosher) including serving as the primary regulatory operations contact for government authorities (USDA) and industry groups (FDA, AIB, NFPA).

§          Institute best practices for Stage Gate process documentation as well as laboratory testing and method development