Senior Manager, Research & Innovation (R&D)

Job Title

Reporting to the Sr Director of Research & Innovation for Beverage Creations, this position leads a team supporting the Danone Ready-to-Drink Coffee & Waters businesses.

The incumbent is responsible for managing and developing a team of food scientists, managing a portfolio of product development projects with both local and global involvement and representing R&I as a leader with both internal and external stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Directly manages a team of professional level product developers to include technical guidance, project and business advisement and career development.
• Provides technical expertise in food science and product development while supporting team in developing project briefs, timelines, risk assessments, technical plans/reports and project updates.
• Facilitates and fosters the ideation of possible new products, line extensions, and/or product reformulations with an emphasis on establishing points of difference versus competitors, promotion of nutrition/health/wellness and incorporating food safety/quality, creativity and a passion for food.
• Plan, execute, and manage the development of prototype products in lab, pilot plant and at production facilities. Maintain stringent technical and experimental documentation.
• Source and maintain vendor relationships to secure the necessary ingredients that align with prevailing company standards. Evaluate new suppliers and/or ingredients.
• Support and drive global technical initiatives to support the long-term pipeline and strategy.
• Provide technical support to engineering and operations teams to troubleshoot manufacturing challenges.
• Facilitate needed sensory evaluations and consumer taste panels. Utilize consumer insights to improve product formulations and qualify new innovations.
• Ensure all developed products meet internal and external guidelines for nutrition, regulatory affairs, and food labeling.
• Own the commercialization of products from ideation through scale up and retail launch.
• Work with, and provide technical product leadership to, cross-functional teams including but not limited to Marketing, Sales, Business Development, Operations, Finance, Engineering, and Quality Assurance.
• Provide oral and written progress updates to stakeholders and business leaders. Must be able to clearly articulate technical product information in a format that is understandable to non-technical audiences.
• All other duties as assigned.

The salary range for this position is $118,000-169,000 USD. The exact salary offered will depend on several factors, including the candidate's relevant experience, geographic location, internal equity, and market conditions. Danone North America additionally offers a performance-based bonus and has a strong benefits package including Medical, Dental, Vision, Prescription Drug Coverage, 401k Plan, Wellness Program, Life Insurance, Tuition Reimbursement, Flexible Time Off, and Paid Parental Bonding Leave, among other benefit plan options. To give our employees flexibility, Danone is a hybrid work environment. This role is considered a "hybrid" position that allows for flexible work, meaning it is a role where collaboration with key stakeholders in Danone Hubs occurs. While you may have the option to work from home on a schedule as agreed to with your supervisor, you are also expected to regularly report to your assigned office location at least 3 days per week.

Preferred Candidate Qualifications

• The following combination of education and experience is required for this position:
  • Bachelor's degree in food science or closely related field with at least 7-8 years of relevant progressive experience
  • Master's degree in food science or closely related field with at least 5 years of relevant progressive experience
  • PhD degree in food science or closely related field with at least 3 years of relevant progressive experience
• Prior experience must include significant product development, commercialization, stage gate and research, preferably focused on beverages and emulsion-based products.
• At least 2 years of previous experience managing direct reports required.
• Demonstrated examples of successful commercialization.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Demonstrated history of successful commercialization of in-market products that showcase meaningful points of difference, backed by trusted science, while delivering against consumer expectations
• Understanding of sensory and consumer validation tools to ensure product quality
• Awareness of consumer trends in ingredients, labeling and nutrition
• Knowledgeable of food safety, HACCP, regulations and quality programs
• Demonstrated analytical and problem-solving skills
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Solid planning, organizational, executional and time management skills
• Drive for delivery of business results
• Strong project management skills and proven ability to work with cross-functional teams
• Ability and passion to manage and develop others
• Attention to detail and ability to multi-task multiple projects while assessing and alleviating risks
• Must be able and willing to travel up to 35%
• Ability to safely work in a variety of environments including office, laboratory, and/or manufacturing plant settings where occupational noise and other hazards may exist