Director of Research and Development

Company: QualiTech Environmental, Inc.
Location: Chaska
Posted on: November 18, 2023

Job Description:

Position Summary:
Provides Strategic leadership for developing new product, expanding existing portfolios, and overall R&D lab leadership. In addition, responsibilities include assisting sales to support customer needs for applications expertise, as well as making strong contributions to continuous improvement efforts for operations. This role will work closely with other business functions including Sales, Marketing, Operations, Quality, Customer Service, and Procurement. - Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
- Lead R&D Team -

• Build and grow individual relationships with each member of the Food Leadership Team
• Prioritize workload against largest business opportunities
• Provide leadership and development opportunities to direct reports and the broader R&D team
• Drive and lead new process development and expanded lab digitization efforts Successfully Develop New Product Innovation -
  • Create a consistent pipeline of new products platforms that deliver on divisional objectives
  • Support Operations in the scale up of new products
  • Expand existing product lines in response to Marketing opportunity identification
  • Collaborate with sales and marketing to partner with customers in product development efforts
  • Develop new processing methods and new or improved foods to create healthier and safer food products with a longer shelf life. Develop experimental designs to determine shelf life of products PD to PD Problem Solving and Business Development -
    • Build relationships with product developers at key customers
    • Partner with customer product developers on using QualiTech in customer applications
    • Develop or replicate products/flavors for customers' requests
    • Serve as a subject matter expert for colors, flavors, and product applications Qualification Requirements: - Education and Experience
      • Minimum of a Masters Degree in applicable scientific disciplines (Chemistry, Food Science, Chemical Engineering, Grain or Milling Science)
      • Strong ability to work independently and be self-motivated, adjust to changing priorities, and show flexibility and organization skills.
      • Exhibit excellent strategic problem solving abilities and judgment, as well as attention to detail
      • Broad background of application experience preferred with colors, flavors, baked goods, RTE cereals, and snack foods
      • Demonstrated knowledge and expertise in product development and formulation, process engineering, carbohydrate and oil chemistry, cereal chemistry
      • Thorough understanding of design of shelf life studies, and the influence of formulation and processing on shelf life
      • Strong experimental design and statistics background
      • Demonstrated history of leading complex projects, exhibiting strong project management skills, effectively prioritizing multiple projects simultaneously
      • Strong influence and advocacy skills
      • Highly developed communication and presentation skills, with great interpersonal skills for working closely with internal as well as external customers (sales, marketing, operations, and QualiTech customers)
      • Passion for creating ingredients that deliver great visual, taste, and textural experiences
      • Other duties as assigned Knowledge and Skills
        • Ability to work under pressure, and meet stringent deadlines
        • Demonstrates a strategic and accurate approach to work
        • Partners and teams with cross-functional work groups
        • Evaluate complex problems and develop and create options to implement solutions.
        • Applies solid judgment and decision making considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions and choosing the most appropriate option.
        • Project management: Establishes project goals, milestones, and procedures, defines roles and responsibilities, acquires project resources, coordinates projects throughout company, monitors project progress, coordinate multiple projects.
          Physical Demands:
          
          Must be able to operate a computer and communicate on the telephone. Employee is occasionally required to reach with arms and lift and carry up to 25 lbs. Employee must frequently and repetitively grasp objects and use fine manipulation dexterity. Must use hands frequently from waist to chest level. Specific vision abilities include close vision and distance vision. Must be able to hear and verbally communicate with customers, co-workers and others.
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Keywords: QualiTech Environmental, Inc., Minneapolis , Director of Research and Development, Executive , Chaska, Minnesota