The Requirements
To be a good fit for the R&D Manager opportunity, you will have:- A bachelor's degree in Food Science or another related field
- 5+ years of experience in the food industry, in quality or R&D Quick question for you - click here
, including:
- Exceptional technical knowledge in food product development, ideally in grocery
- A solid understanding of production
- The ability to create formulations and emulate existing products
- Strong customer-facing skills
- Demonstrated leadership and management abilities
- Working knowledge of Prop-65, FDA, and CFIA regulations, SOPs, cGMPs and FSMA
- Proficiency in R&D/labeling software, ideally Genesis, and MS Office (Work, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook)
- Good general understanding of business and financial principles
- Experience with nut butters is preferred but not required
- Strong time management, planning and data analysis skills
- Professional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate at all organizational levels internally and externally
- Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to build productive working relationships
- Demonstrated conflict resolution, problem-solving and decision-making skills
- The ability to learn our business, be a team player and enjoy working in a collaborative environment
- Proven strong work ethic, integrity and professional conduct
Pictured: From our manufacturing operations in the northwest, northeast and southeast, Golden Boy Foods produces jar and bulk peanut butter for retail, foodservice and industrial customers across North America, as well as for export to Europe, Asia and Middle East. Private label peanut butter varieties include conventional and organic; regular, old-fashioned, natural, sweetened, unsweetened, reduced fat, salted, unsalted etc.
Role Overview
Reporting to the Director of Marketing & Commercialization, you will provide leadership and mentoring to a team of three. Overall you will be responsible for developing and executing new products, and working with the commercialization team to bring these products to market. Quick question for you - click here![](/images/comment_icon.gif)
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In this role you will develop new formulae, create benchtop trial samples and execute successful scale up activities to ensure the products are successfully commercialized. You will gather scientific evidence through a variety of established and recognized resources, to support the beneficial effects of ingredients and manufacturing practices as it relates to our categories. This will include leveraging your strong data analysis skills to interpret and take action on key findings. As you interact with the different plants, we'll look to you to ensure that GMPs are demonstrated and that SOPs are understood. You'll also ensure accurate and appropriate record keeping is maintained.
You'll motivate the R&D team to ensure we meet promised timelines on analyses and projects. Your team will work with the operations departments to ensure that our products maintain a consistent good quality.
It will be your responsibility to keep abreast of current trends, practices, developments, and regulatory changes that would affect our products or formulations. You'll also be a key gatekeeper for packaging reviews, to help ensure accuracy and legality for all packaged products in the Nut Butter Business unit.
Note: this is a high-level overview of the role. To take a deeper dive into the details, see the Role Specifics tab.
Pictured: From our manufacturing operations in the northwest, northeast and southeast, Golden Boy Foods produces jar and bulk peanut butter for retail, foodservice and industrial customers across North America, as well as for export to Europe, Asia and Middle East. Private label peanut butter varieties include conventional and organic; regular, old-fashioned, natural, sweetened, unsweetened, reduced fat, salted, unsalted etc.
Role Specifics
As R&D Manager, you will:- Manage and develop the department's resources with the goal of meeting or exceeding all deadlines and expectations. Quick question for you - click here
- Develop new innovative products
- Manage the new concept development and production scale up process
- Accurately maintain R&D project records, proactively providing status reports, as required
- Collaborate with Operations to achieve project objectives
- Conduct research in areas including food regulation and process validations
- Liaise with regulatory bodies to be current with food regulations for North America and globally
- Approve labels to ensure compliance with regulations
- Liaise with suppliers for new products and ingredients
- Source new ingredients to aid in the innovation process
- Participate in the RFP process
- Review and sign off on specifications
- Manage sensory evaluations for commercialized products
- Identify and advance quality and process improvement opportunities
- Keep current with changes in technologies and regulations for the countries in which we do business
- Lead and mentor direct reports while providing developmental opportunities when available
What's in It for You
Investing in successIt should be clear that we consider this a pivotal role: we're willing to pay two R&D leaders simultaneously, and we're making major capital investments in the lab. Another advantage: The lab is in a production facility, so you can test things on the actual lines, and gain deeper insight into production processes.
Professional development
In addition to sharing ideas and insights with the incumbent, you will have many opportunities to expand your skills and experience. For example, you'll interact with R&D professionals at customer organizations, including major name retailers. It won't be unusual for you to create a formula in collaboration with a customer.
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Upbeat culture
We place a high value on teamwork and transparency, and the management team is proactive about maintaining a positive culture that is positive. In addition to sharing a strong sense of pride, our people look out for one another in the same way families do.
Small town lifestyle
If you depend on big city energy to stay focused, this may not be the position for you. But we love it here in Fitzgerald, where the population hovers around 10,000. The town is the county seat of Ben Hill County and home to rich and unique history. It was founded as a colony for Union veterans, and the spirit of peace and harmony persists to this day -- in fact, the town is home to the Blue and Grey Museum. While winters are mild, summers can be hot and humid. The cost of living -- particularly housing -- is significantly lower than the national average. The region is known for great hunting, fishing, hiking, camping and more.
Great time to join
We are in the midst of explosive growth and in this environment strong performers can make a name for themselves. We offer the entrepreneurial energy of Golden Boy Foods as well as the stability and resources of Post Holdings, Inc., our parent corporation.
Excellent compensation
In addition to a competitive base salary and bonus potential, you'll have the option of participating in our long-term incentive program. We also offer a full slate of benefits, including medical, dental and life insurance; a 401(k) plan; paid time off along with vacation and holidays; flexible spending accounts; and more.
Keys to Success
If you're the person we're looking for, you understand the value in being a "sponge" as you work with the incumbent. Of course, you'll make contributions as well.You'll also leverage that knowledge as you accompany the sales team on presentations to customers. You'll need to establish yourself as the expert, articulating technical information and tying it to commercial concerns.
In addition, in order to be an outstanding R&D Manager, you will bring:
- Adaptability and flexibility
- Creative and innovative thinking
- The ability to combine analytical thinking and creativity in solving problems
- Pay close attention to detail while also grasping the big picture
- A process orientation
- The ability to achieve goals independently and also contribute as a team player