Research and Development Director - MXMY

Job content

Griffith Foods is a global manufacturer of food products. We provide a wide range of taste and texture components for food industry customers throughout the world. Our products include seasoning blends, dry mixes, coating systems, dough blends, crumbs, flavors, sauces and food bases that are used in an extensive variety of application from snack foods and processed meat and poultry to ready meals. Our customers include food processors, restaurant operators and grocery retailers. While our name may not be familiar to consumers, our products are key components of foods offered by many of the world’s best-known companies.

Research and Development Director

Summary

To provide technical leadership to a Griffith Foods Business Unit as an active member of the Griffith Foods Leadership Team. To help drive and accelerate our Purpose Driven Strategy by executing global and regional strategic technical initiatives, and planning local initiatives in order to enable our How to Win and Where to Play initiatives, with specific focus on elevating Food Science capabilities. To contribute locally, regionally and globally to through the attainment of Research & Development (R&D) objectives by leading managers, scientists and technologists in developing products through highly complex scientific experimentation.

Major Responsibilities

• Reports directly to the General Manager, Griffith Foods MX for all local R&D activities, with primary focus on local Development activities. Reports to the Vice President of North America R&D for all regional & global R&D focused related activities.
• Leads the MX R&D team in the area of Product Development (Reactive and Proactive customer projects). Supports the Vice President of North America R&D for all Research projects (Proactive and Breakthrough Technology projects).
• Member of the Griffith Foods MX Leadership Team.
• Communicates all relevant matters pertaining to R&D; encompassing all R&D projects, activities and the commercialization of all products developed in the unit. Key partner in managing the RAPI model growth initiatives.
• Leads the R&D team in enabling, executing and communicating the Purpose Driven Strategy. Aligns and executes the local plan in all areas of the Where to Play and How to Win categories (specific focus on the 6 “New” Where to Play and 4 “New” How to Win capabilities).
• Champion and owner of 2 specific Capabilities: Food Science and the “building” of Nutritional Expertise. Ensures consistent integration and application of Consumer Insights, Culinary and Sensory capabilities into R&D processes.
• Executes and measures the Product Portfolio Transformation (Health & Nutrition, Innovation, New Product Categories)
• Develops and engages key Ecosystem partnerships (Industry Associatons, Suppliers, Customers and Academia)
• As a key member of the Leadership Team, operates within defined “core values” and openly supports these operating principles.
• Oversees the MX R&D People and Organization Plan.
• Prepares and submits annual budgets, strategic plans, estimates, forecasts, statistics, analysis and financial information in conjunction with ongoing business requirements, priorities, policies and procedures related to the Business Unit R&D department.
• Develops, implements and monitors functional metrics and goals.
• Liaises and collaborates with staff at all levels on matters pertaining to R&D: food safety, regulatory issues, technical coordination, good manufacturing practices, continuous improvement, sales support and customer service.
• Identifies, in conjunction with Sales, Marketing and Engineering Management, promising areas of research or technology addressing unmet needs.
• Evaluates risk assessment, participates in potential acquisitions and assesses new capital equipment opportunities.
• Prepares applications for R&D Grants from Governments.
• Ensures all required patents are obtained for new products produced by Griffith Foods, utilizing requisite resources in conjunction with Griffith Foods Corporate Council, Legal Council, Patent Attorneys and the Patent office .
• Builds targeted local customer relationships in alignment with the Global Commercial Structure.
• Tracks industry trends, relevant legislation and competitor activities, as well as represents Griffith Foods as an advisor and participant on government, university and industry associations.
• Leads, implements and follows all security policies; responsible for maintaining and enhancing the security of all information regarding product formulas and related confidential information.
• Approves capital expenditures as it relates to R&D projects
• Active participant in the business unit’s crisis management program
• Responsible for the implementation of effective processes to ensure manufacturing instructions and quality specifications are developed to ensure customer requirements
Minimum Education Requirement:

• Degree in food science or food technology or related field (Graduate Degree Preference).
Minimum Experience & Training Requirement:

A minimum of 15 years experience in progressively responsible positions within the food industry with a minimum of 10 years in an R&D department.

Broad depth of knowledge in product development, meat science, snacks, texture systems, food processing and regulatory requirements.

EEO AA M/F/Vet/Disability

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