Director, R&d Core Technology - Battle Creek, United States - WK Kellogg Co

Mark Lane

Posted by:

Mark Lane

beBee recruiter


Description
At WK Kellogg Co, we exist to create joy and connection to inspire Gr-r-reat days.

We believe that doing good is always good for business and we have stood for this belief since Kellogg Company was founded more than 117 years ago.

We are passionate about doing our part to make nutritious foods, create social connectivity and respect natural resources. Together, these actions create positive progress for people and the planet - today and for years to come.

We have big plans for how we are going to accomplish this, and we would love for you to join us in this effort.

The Research & Development (R&D) Director partners cross functionally to invent, influence, and deliver top and bottom-line innovation. Key stakeholders are Supply Chain, Marketing, and peers in R&D.

Through strong collaboration, develops and implements strategies maximizing internal and external capabilities to:

deliver business objectives, activate programs which drive competitive advantage, create consumer relevant product design (food and packaging) and ensure compliance to design.


This is a Hybrid role that requires the incumbent to live within sixty miles of the Battle Creek Michigan Headquarter office.

This job sometimes involves extended work schedules and time commitments and changing priorities. Incumbent must be able to deal with some stress and facilitate sound decision making. Occasional travel to manufacturing or test facilities (up to 25%) of the time. In the event of international travel, it includes developing countries and potential prolonged time away from home. Projects sometimes require working beyond the normal workday hours.

Working Relationships

  • Reports to Senior Director or Vice President R&D.
  • Supervises Foo Technologists, Food Developers, Packaging Designers & Managers.
  • Occasionally manages specialists, analysts, and contractors.
  • Works with crossfunctional and multilevel teams to
accomplish project/program objectives.

Key contacts

  • Supply Chain, Marketing, Program Leaders, Wellbeing,
Sensory, Finance, Quality, Consumer Affairs, Manufacturing Plants, Supplier

Partners & Contractors, Consultants, and Industry Organizations.


HERE'S A TASTE OF WHAT YOU'LL BE DOING

  • Sets R&D direction for 49 technical professionals (Food Designers, Packaging Designers, etc.)
  • Manages delivery of results within R&D Operating Budget ($15MM)
  • Invents and drives technical solutions for top and bottomline innovation.
  • Initiatives in partnership with Commercial and broad technical community.
  • Manages up to 1 corporate or regional program or up to 2 major complex projects.
  • Advocate for product design quality improvements and supports complianceto design initiatives.
  • Sets direction for team against R&D and business goals and ensures delivery
of results. Balances resources against short
- and long-term objectives.

  • Advocates for prioritization of business initiatives with Commercial & Supply Chain
  • Develops and energizes R&D talent while instituting organizational improvements.
  • Directs R&D innovation and margin improvement projects through all phases of design execution providing creative problem solving.
  • The incumbent is responsible for final product design (food & Pack) all the way to shelf.
  • Specify/validate new technology to be used in production
systems for innovation/renovation/margin improvement projects.

  • Proactively seek opportunities to maximize efficient use of current corporate
assets for the manufacture of new and existing food products/packaging. This

includes recommendations for new products/package sourcing.

  • Provide technical support / troubleshooting expertise /leadership to resolve
product/packaging performance issues.

  • Creates & leads program or major complex projects adding value to organization or results.
  • Recruits and develops diverse technical talent growing R&D community and
technical pipeline.

  • Provides technical direction and expertise within the department with a high


level of technical competency in a specific discipline; keeps current with latest, developments and technology through investigation, training, and communication within that discipline.


  • Proactively seeking insights from other Regions about top & bottom line
solutions and Programs.

  • Open to change and possesses a continuous improvement mindset.

YOUR RECIPE FOR SUCCESS

Required:

  • Requires bachelor's degree in food science, packaging,
chemical or agricultural engineering with ten years' experience.

  • Experience in product design (food and/or packaging) preferred.
  • Possess leadership, cost consciousness, communication skills, technical curiosity and diplomacy that will promote good relationships with all facets of organization and other technical and scientific disciplines in the effective execution of business results.
  • Functions effectively as a Project Manager, Planner, Coach, Coordinator, Communicator, and Senior Technical Expert.

Bonus Points:

  • Master's degree, in food science, packa

More jobs from WK Kellogg Co