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Director of Innovation and Technical Services – Food Product Development

Director of Innovation and Technical Services – Food Product Development

RedBranch Executive Search & RecruitmentPeel, ON, Canada
9 days ago
Job type
  • Full-time
Job description

As a member of the Senior Management Team with responsibility for overseeing new food product development, maintenance of existing food products, R&D staff, and the innovation pipeline, your role is critical in driving the strategic direction of the company. Your role includes the management of the Product Development and Compliance team. You will report directly into the General Manager

Key Responsibilities

  • Development of new food product offerings
  • Regularly assess market trends, customer feedback, and competitor analysis to identify new product opportunities
  • Work closely with sales, marketing, and production teams to ensure the successful integration of new products into the market. You will also need to ensure that products align with the company’s vision, values, and strategic goals
  • Maintenance of existing food products
  • Leverage R&D to develop cutting-edge products that will differentiate our company in the marketplace
  • Ensure that existing products meet the highest quality standards and adhere to brand guidelines.
  • Collaborate with the production team to continually optimize the existing product line to improve efficiency, reduce costs, and enhance customer satisfaction
  • Implement systems for gathering and analyzing customer feedback to identify areas for improvement or opportunities to enhance current offerings
  • Provide continuous learning opportunities for the R&D team to keep them motivated, engaged, and on the cutting edge of industry trends.
  • Facilitate regular brainstorming sessions, cross-functional team meetings, and ensure clear communication channels between departments to foster innovation.
  • Ensure the R&D department has the necessary resources, tools, and budget to succeed.
  • Develop and maintain a roadmap for innovation that aligns with the company’s long-term goals, ensuring that both new and existing products are accounted for in the innovation pipeline.
  • Assess risks in the innovation process, such as market readiness, financial implications, and potential challenges in production.
  • Work on improving the time-to-market for new innovations without compromising quality, by streamlining processes and removing roadblocks.
  • Ensure that all product developments and innovations are in line with the company’s mission and core values.
  • Ensure that all product development initiatives and R&D practices comply with the company’s internal policies, industry regulations, and sustainability practices.
  • Guide product development with a focus on sustainability, ethical sourcing, and responsible production.
  • Provide leadership and mentorship to R&D and other departments involved in product development to ensure a high level of productivity and morale.
  • Work with other members of the Senior Leadership Team to ensure strategic alignment across departments (e.g., sales, marketing, finance) and promote collaboration across teams.
  • Regularly update the SLT and other relevant stakeholders on the progress of the innovation pipeline, highlighting key successes, challenges, and strategic decisions.

Requirement

  • Post-secondary degree in Food Science or equivalent from an accredited college or university;
  • Minimum 8+ years of hands-on experience within Product Development in food manufacturing
  • Minimum 5+ years managing a team
  • Minimum 8+ years working in food manufacturing and / or distribution industry;
  • Knowledge of industry benchmarks (GFSI-BRC) with related training is required;
  • Knowledge of labeling regulations and guidelines;
  • Knowledge of the Health Canada’s Food & Drug Act and Regulations.
  • Knowledge of nutritional make-up / value of ingredients is required;
  • Experience in utilizing currently accepted R&D criteria;
  • Superior mathematical and computer skills;
  • Laboratory competence including clinical assays is required;
  • Exceptional time management and organizational skills are a must;
  • Excellent communication skills, both written and oral;
  • Strong leadership with focus on positive attitude in what we say and do;
  • Able to communicate effectively across all levels of the organization as well as the customers;
  • Strong interpersonal skills;
  • Attention to detail is essential;
  • Able to define problems, collect data, establish facts, draw valid conclusions, and resolve discrepancies in a reasonable amount of time.