Director RD&A

Director Of R&D To Lead Our Stocks And Broths Platform In North America

We are seeking a dynamic and experienced Director of R&D to lead our Stocks and Broths platform in North America. This role will drive innovation, technical leadership, and product development across customer segments including retail, QSR, foodservice, and industrial manufacturing. The Director will be responsible for shaping the future of authentic, clean label, and functional stocks and broths, partnering closely with cross-functional stakeholders to deliver value through science-backed, culinary-inspired solutions.

This is a high-impact leadership role that combines strategic thinking with hands-on technical expertise, offering the opportunity to directly influence product innovation for major North American food brands.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic & Technical Leadership

Lead the North America R&D strategy for the Stocks and Broths portfolio, aligning with regional commercial goals and global R&D platforms

Identify and capitalize on growth opportunities by leveraging consumer trends, customer insights, and emerging technical capabilities

Drive development of clean label, natural, and functional ingredient solutions with differentiated sensory and nutritional benefits

Stay current with industry trends, competitive landscape, and regulatory changes affecting the stocks and broths category

Innovation & Product Development

Lead product development across diverse platforms, including shelf-stable, refrigerated, and frozen formats

Oversee end-to-end R&D processes from bench-scale research through pilot testing to full-scale production in Kerry and customer facilities

Partner with process engineering, culinary, sensory, and regulatory teams to ensure technical feasibility, regulatory compliance, and consumer appeal

Establish and maintain technical standards, protocols, and best practices for the stocks and broths platform

Customer Partnership & Business Development

Act as a trusted technical advisor and innovation partner to key North American customers, providing deep expertise in culinary and savory solutions

Lead technical discussions, co-creation sessions, and product presentations with customers

Support business development efforts by translating customer needs into viable technical solutions

Build and maintain strong relationships with customer R&D and procurement teams

Team Development & Cross-Functional Collaboration

Manage, mentor, and develop a team of food scientists, technologists, and culinary developers across multiple locations

Foster a high-performance, collaborative culture focused on scientific rigor, curiosity, and measurable business impact

Work closely with commercial, operations, supply chain, quality, and regulatory teams to ensure seamless project execution

Champion knowledge sharing and best practice development within the broader Kerry R&D organization

Qualifications And Skills

Education & Experience

Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Food Technology, Culinary Science, or related field; Master's or PhD strongly preferred

10+ years of progressive R&D experience in the food industry, with demonstrated expertise in savory systems, broths, stocks, or protein-based products

5+ years of leadership experience managing technical teams and complex projects

Proven track record of leading product development projects from concept through successful commercialization

Technical Expertise

Deep understanding of clean label formulation principles and natural processing technologies (hydrolysis, fermentation, extraction)

Expertise in flavor chemistry, protein functionality, and thermal processing as applied to stocks and broths

Knowledge of scale-up processes and manufacturing considerations for liquid food products

Familiarity with U.S. regulatory standards (FDA, USDA) and customer quality requirements

Recommended salary range for this position is Minimum 177K / Midpoint 244K / Maximum 311K