This job has expired, please see additional jobs below
Senior Director, Research & Development
ConAgra
Omaha, NE, United States
Job Details - this job has expired, please see similar jobs below
Conagra Brands has the most energized, highest-impact culture in food. Our people persistently challenge and disrupt marketplace/business conventions and we are respected for our great brands, great food, great margins and consistent results. Conagra Brands, be part of building something BIG.
Shapes short-term and long-term strategy for product development team in the snacking platform. Leads the product development Snacks team acting as the key link to multiple brands and/or business platforms. Influences and helps shape category strategy by providing technology solutions to deliver distinctive attributes that will solve consumer needs better than competitive offerings. Directs the technical development and commercialization of new, improved and cost-reduced formulation by leveraging ingredient and processing innovation. Will lead/leverage cross functional teams and collaborates with internal and external resources. Accountable to deliver both top and bottom line product development initiatives, while elevating quality across the portfolio. Partners with Supply Chain to influence procurement as well as equipment investment strategies to enable the category growth, productivity and quality roadmap. Will act as technical/business mentor and resource to team.
Position Responsibilities:
• Responsible for performing all functional and team managerial duties, such as planning, organizing and staffing to ensure timely and quality execution of all program activities.
• Lead the development of R&D plan & objectives to support the overall strategic plans of the business platform.
• Translates category strategy into multi-year innovation, renovation, productivity and quality roadmap and secures resources across all functions in support.
• Acts as the primary PD business interface for assigned platform(s).
• Participates in the development of short- and long-term strategic plans for the assigned brands and/or platforms.
• Gains alignment and drives decision making with senior leadership on key issues.
• Builds a highly effective and high performing team.
• Cultivates and fosters relationships with internal and external business partners.
• Develops strategic partnerships to generate innovation and new opportunities.
• Participates in annual budget preparation to assure adequate funds for platform coverage.
Qualifications/ Education/Experience/Skills:
• B S. Degree in Food Science or related field with minimum 15 years of experience.
• M.S./Ph.D. in Food Science or related field with minimum 12 years of experience.
• Minimum 8 years experience managing teams, preferably in food product development.
• Proven to be a positive culture creator that is a champion of diversity & inclusion and drives for next level performance.
• Ability to influence broadly across the organization
• Thorough understanding of business & financial principles.
• Experience in food product development across a variety of product types & platforms.
• Excellent communication, negotiating and conflict resolution skills.
• Strategic thinker with demonstrated success in building a business case
• Adept at identifying resources internally and externally to achieve project needs
• Demonstrated people leadership and development
• Proven troubleshooting skills with demonstrated ability to execute root cause analysis and then follow through with corrective actions.
• Excellent communication skills, both oral and written.
• Develop and maintain internal and external network of resources.
• Bias towards collaborative teamwork with other functional groups.
• Understanding of food/package interaction.
• Knowledge of product development process.
• Proven creative & entrepreneurial skills.
• Experience with government regulatory requirements.
• Budgeting, financial analysis skills.
Physical Requirements:
• Exposure to manufacturing environments for periodic extended work days to include: loud noise, excessive heat, cold, wet, and slippery conditions.
• Ability to travel up 50% of the time
• Ability to taste a wide variety of food products.
• Ability to lift 25-50 lbs
• Ability to stand for sit or stand for extended periods of time
Conagra Brands is an equal opportunity employer and considers qualified applicants for employment without regard to sex, race, color, religion, ethnic or national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, pregnancy, leave status, disability, veteran status, genetic information and/or any other characteristic or status protected by national, federal, state or local law.