The
Director of Process Research & Innovation is responsible for defining and executing the company's research, development, and innovation strategy to drive sustainable growth and competitive advantage. This role leads the end-to-end research of ingredients and process innovations-from ideation and research through manufacturing readiness and market launch.
Essential Responsibilities: - Provide scientific, technical, and market input to build robust business cases and value propositions for new ingredients and process innovations.
- Establish and lead clinical research to validate health benefits of ingredients and support proactive business development in targeted health areas.
- Review scientific literature and emerging research to identify new opportunities and inform strategic direction.
- Serve as a technical resource to Marketing and Sales by supporting product positioning, functionality, nutrition, and application through technical documentation, white papers, and field support.
- Partner with the broader R&D team to provide project ownership for the full commercialization lifecycle for new ingredients and processes, from concept development and feasibility through scale-up, manufacturing integration, and market launch.
- Establish project scope, prioritization, and governance to ensure resources are aligned to the highest-value innovation opportunities.
- Identify, evaluate, and lead new innovation activities, including open innovation initiatives, customer innovation days, roundtables, and industry seminars.
- Partner closely with cross-functional teams to ensure alignment across product development, manufacturing, supply chain, quality, regulatory, marketing, and commercial execution.
- Lead and actively participate in cross-functional product development teams, contributing at both the strategic level and, when required, at the bench or pilot scale.
- Oversee supplier qualification, development, specifications, and ongoing management to ensure safe, innovative, and reliable ingredient sourcing.
- Serve as a visible scientific and technical leader within the industry, representing the company at conferences, trade events, and scientific forums.
- Present at industry and scientific meetings and bring forward new knowledge, insights, and partnership opportunities to the organization.
- Partner with external parties/universities/consultants, etc. to commercialize products through tolling operations. Search, vet, and review technology needed to prepare business cases for the executive team on toll manufacturing findings.
- Communicate and reinforce organizational and departmental initiatives to ensure alignment, consistency, and execution across the R&D function.
Position Requirements:- PhD or equivalent in Dairy Science, Manufacturing, Food Science or related fields preferred
- 10+ years of progressive experience leading research, development, and innovation initiatives, within dairy or ingredient-based food systems.
- Demonstrated ability to lead complex, multi-disciplinary projects across multiple innovation areas simultaneously.
- Proven success collaborating strategically with senior leaders and cross-functional partners while maintaining hands-on engagement where needed.
- Strong capability to identify and remove barriers to innovation by ensuring teams have the right tools, processes, skills, and training.
- Excellent relationship-building skills with internal stakeholders, customers, suppliers, and external partners.
- Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to translate complex R&D concepts into clear, compelling messages for executive and commercial audiences.
The salary range for this position is $120,000.00 - $140,0000.00 USD based on experience. Applicable pay within the posted range may vary based on factors including, but not limited to education, skill set and depth of experience.
