Director, R&D Kettle
CTI Foods, saginaw, tx, United States
Job Overview
The Director of R&D for the Kettle Business will lead all product development and innovation initiatives related to kettle-cooked products, including soups, sauces, and other wet-processed foods. This role is responsible for driving technical strategy, ensuring compliance with food safety standards, and delivering customer-focused solutions that align with business objectives.
Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership
- Develop and execute the R&D strategy for kettle products to support growth and profitability goals.
- Identify emerging trends and technologies to maintain competitive advantage in kettle processing.
Product Development & Commercialization
- Oversee formulation, process development, and scale-up from bench to plant trials.
- Ensure successful commercialization of new products, meeting quality, cost, and timeline targets.
Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Partner with Sales, Operations, FSQ, and Procurement teams to align product development with customer needs.
- Provide technical expertise during customer presentations and product launches.
Compliance & Safety
- Ensure adherence to GMPs, SSOPs, and regulatory requirements throughout development and production.
Team Leadership
- Manage and mentor a team of scientists and technicians, fostering a culture of innovation and continuous improvement.
Performs other related duties as assigned.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Food Science, Food Engineering, or related field; advanced degree preferred.
- Minimum 10+ years of experience in food product development, with significant expertise in kettle-cooked products.
- Proven track record of leading R&D teams and successful product commercialization.
- Strong knowledge of food safety regulations and process optimization.
- Excellent leadership, communication, and project management skills.
- Integrity, Collaboration, Continuous Improvement, and Accountability.
- Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and manage multiple projects simultaneously.