Research And Development Manager - Buena Park, United States - Lakeview Farms

Description

Summary
The R&D Manager oversees the management of a portfolio of products for the company.

He/she works closely with Sales, Marketing, and the Leadership team to lead the growth, productivity, and maintenance of the products in the category.

The manager works closely with co-manufacturing customer to ensure successful commercialization.

This position works closely with the Operation and QA team for product and process improvement and documentation as well as collaborates with the purchasing team to identify solutions and efficiencies.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Oversee the product development for a portfolio of product categories that include big ideas in new categories, smart extensions to grow a product category across channels, and product optimization.
• Identify strategies, generate innovative ideas, establish priorities and annual goals, and monitor execution of Product Development activities that support new product initiatives, quality improvements and other company initiatives.
• Use consumer insights to build unique product attributes into new products.
• Define and communicate product design criteria to external resources (vendors, co-manufacturers, etc.). Collaborate with these to drive projects forward in a timely and effective manner.
• Document observed results, analyze data, draw conclusions, and make recommendations during product development activities.
• Lead all technical development activities to scale up for commercialization, product launch, and post-launch monitoring including development of formula, technical label copy, products specifications, and quality criteria.
• Develop, implement, and refine department policies and processes for regulatory, nutritional labeling, documentation and filing, product quality (sensory attributes) and other determined areas.
• Works with HACCP team to develop or modify HACCP/Food Safety plan
• Works closely with the Purchasing team to identify solutions and efficiencies
• Maintains library of product concepts, project proposals, completed project reports and shelf-life study reports
• Completes and documents in house sensory panels
• Uses nutritional labeling software to maintain formulas/recipes and generate ingredient statements and nutritional fact panels.
• Maintains current formulas and procedures and develops new products.
• Assists in maintaining quality programs, and technical information including ingredient specifications, shelf-life studies, formulas and procedures, and in-process analytical data.
• Other duties as assigned

Qualifications

• BS, MS, or PhD
• Experience 10+ years in Food product development
• Experience managing a team of scientists
• Proven track record of successful product development from concept to commercialization
• Solid organizational skills and proven ability to manage multiple projects and assignments
• Experience in formulating refrigerated products is a plus
• Willing to learn and share learning
• Ability to work in a team environment
• Excellent verbal and written communication
• Respect confidentiality of privileged information
• Computer skills (Microsoft Office, Genesis and Navision are helpful)

Competencies/ Skills

• Project and people management
• Presentations Skills
• Teamwork
• Problem Solving/Analytical
• Organizational Skills
• Communications Proficiency (to include written and verbal)
• Time Management (manage priorities among multiple projects)

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