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Director, Research & Development - Kraft Food
Ingredients-1301053
- TN-Memphis
Description
Kraft Foods Group is one
of the most admired and largest food and beverage businesses in North
America. We’re also one of the largest worldwide among publicly traded
consumer packaged food and beverage companies, based on our 2012 combined
net revenues of $18.7 billion.
We manufacture
and market food and beverage products, including convenient meals,
Refreshment beverages and coffee, cheese and other grocery products,
primarily in the United States and Canada, under a host of iconic brands.
Our product categories span breakfast, lunch and dinner meal occasions,
both at home and in foodservice locations.
Our diverse
brand portfolio consists of many of the most popular food brands in North
America, Including three brands with annual net revenues exceeding $1 billion
each – Kraft cheeses, dinners and dressings; Oscar Mayer meats;
and Maxwell House coffees – plus over 20 brands with annual net
revenues of between $100 million and $1 billion each.
In the United
States, based on dollar share in 2012, we hold the number one branded
share position in a majority of our 50 product categories, as well as in
18 of our top 20 product categories. We hold the number two branded share
position in the other two product categories.
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The Director of
Research & Development for Kraft Food Ingredients (KFI) is
responsible for all aspects of research and development activities,
product compliance and technical leadership for the Business. The individual
in the position is responsible for directing creation of new ingredient
platforms, the design, development and commercialization of products for
Savory, Dairy, Sweet and Fruit Flavors, Cheese Powders, Process and
Natural Cheese,Cream Cheese and Confection
& Gelatin categories, managing domestic and international regulatory
compliance for all KFI products and providing technical services to KFI
customers. The individual will assure that all activities adhere to
Corporate and R&D policies, procedures, budgets and objectives.
This position
is responsible for R&D oversight for approximately 25 scientists,
engineers, regulatory specialists and technicians, two pilot plant
facilities (Memphis, TN, Kendallville, IN) and 8 laboratories located at
the Memphis Facility. KFI R&D commercializes products at
approximately 15 Kraft manufacturing plants including 3 solely dedicated
KFI plants. This individual will have leadership opportunities in the
areas of strategic direction, organization development, Research & Development,
New Product Development, Regulatory Compliance and direct customer
interaction.
The individual
should have experience with the design, development, commercialization
and application of food ingredients in at least two of these three the
areas flavors, cheese & dairy and confections. This role will partner
with the Sr. Foodservice Director of Research Development Quality and
Innovation (RDQ&I) to ensure alignment on all Corporate R&D
policies.
This role is a
direct report to the General Manager and Vice President of Kraft Food
Ingredients and an indirect report to the Sr. Director of RDQ&I for Kraft Foodservice. The Director of
R&D is a member of the KFI Leadership Team and interacts with the
functional leads of Marketing, Sales, Finance and Operations for KFI.
1.
Drive successful implementation of policies,
programs, tools, growth and productivity technologies and processes, new
product development and superior technical services that position R&D
as a competitive advantage for the Business Unit, protect brand equity
while balancing the risks needed to deliver superior business success.
Leverage shared services to enable achievement of business goals
2.
Influence Senior Management and lead the
development and implementation of a strategic plan that sets a strong
R&D direction for the KFI Business. Deliver continuous improvement
through innovation, benchmarking, and leveraging cross-BU, cross-category
collaboration to ensure compliance with Kraft product design processes,
product labeling, nutritional information, compliance with USDA, FDA and
religious (Kosher/ Halal) policies and quality (Lean Six Sigma) / food
safety systems (HACCP). Drive adoption and institutionalization of key
R&D strategies that drive business success.
3.
Represent KFI and collaborate directly with
external customer peers to influence and advance tactical and strategic
business initiatives and develop strong business networks with
strategically important customers. This activity also extends to KFI’s
Inter Company initiative where KFI provides NPD, productivity and
technologies to Kraft Retail and Foodservice business units. Manage
sensitive and confidential information and activities between KFI and
external (trade) and internal (Kraft) customer base.
4.
Mentor and grow R&D professionals’
capabilities, competencies and career experiences that advances and
enables Organizational Excellence for the R&D Function and ensures
R&D retains its competitive advantage and continuously expands its
technical scope and depth.
5.
Manage KFI R&D Department budgets assuring that
resources are prioritized appropriately
Internal and
external contacts:
Operations,
Marketing, Sales, Finance leads are the key stakeholders of the KFI
Business for this position. The Director of R&D meets with these
senior leaders monthly and more frequently during issues. The Director
also works closely with the Corporate Shared Service RDQ organization,
Regulatory Compliance, Food Safety/Microbiology and Scientific Affairs.
External
contacts include KFI customers, regulatory agencies, contract technical
laboratories and services.
Qualifications
Education:
·
Master's Degree with a major in Sciences or
Engineering preferred
Functional/Technical Expertise:
·
General Work Experience – Work experience in food
ingredients with a foundation in either Research & Product
Development or manufacturing that includes exposure to flavors, C&D
products, confections, liquid sauces and application technologies.
·
Functional Work Experience – Corporate research or
BU product development, quality and/or Operations management experience.
The candidate must have strong business acumen and a deep understanding
of commercialization in addition to basic research and applied science /
technology with focus on product development.
Competencies/Abilities:
1.
Factor I: Strategic Skills – Strategic agility,
perspective, problem solving
2.
Factor II: Getting Work Done through Others –
Developing Direct Reports and Others, Informing
3.
Command skills
4.
Cluster Q - Inspiring Others: Motivating Others,
Negotiating, Building Effective Teams, Managing Vision
Kraft Foods is
an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. Kraft recruits
qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, gender, age,
ethnic or national origin, veteran status, physical or mental disability,
genetic information, sexual orientation or preference, gender identity,
marital status or citizenship status.
Job
: Research & Development
Management
Primary Location
: NA-US-TN-Memphis
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Kraft Foods Group is an
Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer.
Kraft provides
reasonable accommodation for individuals protected by Section 503 of the
Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment
Assistance Act of 1974, and Title I of the Americans with Disabilities
Act of 1990. Applicants who need accommodation in the job application
process should contact 847-646-6044 to request
assistance.
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