Lead, R&D - Product Development

Job description

​​Serve as the R&D category lead, partnering with business units, cross-functional teams, plants, and suppliers to develop category strategies and guide projects from concept through commercialization. ​Lead category resource planning and budget management to support business priorities. ​Scope and advance business opportunities by translating research, consumer insights, and technical findings into actionable recommendations. ​Guide developers in designing and executing tests, analyzing data, documenting findings, and commercializing products. ​Establish project priorities, technical timelines, risk assessments, and contingency plans while providing clear, timely updates to business and R&D leaders. ​Partner with cross-functional teams to ensure commercialization excellence, product quality, food safety, regulatory compliance, and speed to market. ​Monitor category competitors and identify emerging technologies and external partnerships that can enable differentiated innovation. ​Collaborate with technical experts and category scientists to evaluate technologies, applications, raw materials, and product specifications. ​Lead, coach, and develop team members while building succession plans and fostering a high-performing, collaborative, and inclusive culture. ​ ​​Bachelor's degree in

Food Science, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or a related technical field with a minimum of 11 years of relevant experience OR Master's degree with a minimum of 10 years of relevant experience. ​Technical experience in Beverages such as ready-to-drink products, powders, or liquid concentrates. ​Demonstrated experience leading R&D product development and commercialization in a complex, cross-functional environment. ​Strong understanding of ingredient functionality, ingredient interactions, and

Design of Experiments. ​Proven ability to develop, coach, and lead others while fostering a collaborative, high-performing team environment. ​Strong project management skills, including managing multiple priorities, allocating resources, assessing risk, and prioritizing work for self and others. ​Self-motivated problem solver with the ability to work independently and deliver results in a fast-paced environment. ​Ability to translate technical findings into clear business opportunities and actionable recommendations. ​Excellent written and verbal communication, influencing, collaboration, and stakeholder management skills. ​Ability to apply scientific principles and prior learning to new challenges and opportunities. ​Willingness to travel up to 20% based on business needs.​