Manager/Sr Manager, Research & Innovation, Yogurt

About The Job

Reporting to the Sr Director of Research & Innovation for Organic Dairy Yogurt & Plant-Based Yogurt, this position leads a team supporting the Danone Yogurt businesses. The incumbent is responsible for managing and developing a team of food scientists, managing a portfolio of product development projects with a focus on yogurt, cultured dairy and/or cultured dairy alternative products and representing R&I as a leader with both internal and external stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Source and maintain vendor relationships to secure the necessary ingredients that align with prevailing company standards. Evaluate new suppliers and/or ingredients.
• Provides technical expertise in food science and product development while supporting team in developing project briefs, timelines, risk assessments, technical plans/reports and project updates.
• All other duties as assigned
• Own the commercialization of products from ideation through scale up and retail launch.
• Ensure all developed products meet internal and external guidelines for nutrition, regulatory affairs, and food labeling.
• Provide technical support to engineering and operations teams to troubleshoot manufacturing challenges.
• Plan, execute, and manage the development of prototype products in lab, pilot plant and at production facilities. Maintain stringent technical and experimental documentation.
• Facilitate needed sensory evaluations and consumer taste panels. Utilize consumer insights to improve product formulations and qualify new innovations.
• Work with, and provide technical product leadership to, cross-functional teams including but not limited to Marketing, Sales, Business Development, Operations, Finance, Engineering, and Quality Assurance.
• Support and drive global technical initiatives to support the long-term plant-based yogurt pipeline and strategy.
• Provide oral and written progress updates to stakeholders and business leaders. Must be able to clearly articulate technical product information in a format that is understandable to non-technical audiences.
• Directly manages a team of professional level product developers to include technical guidance, project and business advisement and career development.
• Facilitates and fosters the ideation of possible new products, line extensions, and/or product reformulations with an emphasis on establishing points of difference versus competitors, promotion of nutrition/health/wellness and incorporating food safety/quality, creativity, and a passion for food.

The base compensation range for this position is $110,000-165,000 commensurate with experience. Danone North America additionally offers a performance-based bonus and has a strong benefits package including Medical, Dental, Vision, Prescription Drug Coverage, 401k Plan, Wellness Program, Life Insurance, Tuition Reimbursement, Flexible Time Off, and Paid Parental Bonding Leave, among other benefit plan options. To give our employees flexibility, Danone is a hybrid work environment.

About You

PREFERRED CANDIDATE QUALIFICATIONS

• At least 1 year of previous experience managing direct reports required.
• Master’s degree in food science or closely related field with at least 5 years of relevant progressive experience.
• The following combination of education and experience is required for this position.
• Prior experience must include significant product development, commercialization, stage gate and research, preferably focused on yogurt or similar fermented food.
• PhD degree in food science or closely related field with at least 3 years of relevant progressive experience.
• Demonstrated examples of successful commercialization of yogurt and/or cultured products preferred. Plant-based experience also a plus.
• Bachelor’s degree in food science or closely related field with at least 7-8 years of relevant progressive experience.

Knowledge, Skills And Abilities

• Ability to safely work in a variety of environments including office, laboratory, and/or manufacturing plant settings where occupational noise and other hazards may exist.
• Knowledgeable of food safety, HACCP, regulations and quality programs
• Drive for delivery of business results
• Attention to detail and ability to multi-task multiple projects while assessing and alleviating risks
• Strong project management skills and proven ability to work with cross-functional teams
• Demonstrated history of successful commercialization of in-market products that showcase meaningful points of difference, backed by trusted science, while delivering against consumer expectations
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Solid planning, organizational, executional and time management skills
• Must be able and willing to travel up to 25%
• Awareness of consumer trends in ingredients, labeling and nutrition
• Understanding of sensory and consumer validation tools to ensure product quality
• Demonstrated analytical and problem-solving skills
• Ability and passion to manage and develop others

About Us

At Danone North America, you’ll work with some of the best-known food and beverage brands in the world like Activia, Silk, Horizon Organic, Two Good, Oikos, evian, and Happy Family. You’ll be part of one of the largest Certified B Corps™ in the world, working together to make sure our brands create real benefits for people, communities, and the planet. We have 6,000+ employees across the U.S. and Canada. Come join our movement for a healthier world One Planet. One Health BY YOU.

Danone North America doesn’t just welcome what makes you unique, we value it. We’re proud to be an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. All hires to our team are based on qualifications, merit and business needs. We recruit, employ, train and promote regardless of race, color, religion, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, veteran status, genetic characteristic or any other protected status. Faithful to our values of openness and humanism, all of our employees share in the commitment to engage one another with dignity and respect. http//www.dol.gov/ofccp/regs/compliance/posters/pdf/eeopost.pdf

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