Position Summary:
Responsible for setting the strategy to lead the technical activity required for creating and launching new product Innovation across the assigned categories within the division. This position carries with it the responsibility to mentor team members and grow their capabilities for contributing to the organization while collaborating and managing the efforts of the Innovation team to meet the business goals of the assigned categories and overall company.

Employee Type:

Full time

Location:

IL Oak Brook

Job Type:

Research and Development

Job Posting Title:

Research and Development Innovation Director

Job Description:

Schedule: 8 am to 5 pm CDT (Hybrid / on-site Tues to Thurs)​

Work Location: 2015 Spring Road Suite 400, Oak Brook, IL 60523 ​

Benefits: Medical, Dental, Vision, 401(k) with match, STD/LTD/AD&D/Life, HSA, FSA, EAP, Hospital indemnity, Accident Insurance, Identity and Fraud Protection Plan, Legal, and Critical Illness.​

Salary, based on experience and other qualifications: $136k - $238k Annually with additional bonus potential ​

Position Responsibilities:

Lead and motivate Cross Functional team and Innovation staff in the culinary, creative and technical aspects of product development through the investigation, planning, execution, evaluating and reporting on new product development, product improvements and troubleshooting feasibility.

Act as the Innovation creative and culinary contact to the company for the assigned categories

Responsible for the Innovation team’s completion of the Innovation high priority projects and critical non-project work. 

Advise, direct, coach, inspire and review progress to create a cohesive team environment

Work across all functional areas to accomplish business goals

Leader of the Innovation project pipeline review and prioritization system

Responsible for keeping a strategic view of the marketplace and bringing insight to the business

Create an innovative environment by collaborating with external and internal partners and by managing the group with passion, intellectual curiosity, integrity and trust

Evaluate and make recommendations concerning the application of new formulations, process improvements or technologies, and cost savings projects

Assist in development of business goals for divisional team members – individually and collectively

Participate in Senior Leadership meetings and provide ideas and expertise on setting goals/direction for the organization

Coordinate and Support Customer Innovation Meetings

Organize and Participate in Supplier Capability and Innovation Working Sessions

Develop and create high performance organizations aligned with strategic direction of the business

Direct training, education and career development programs to fill department needs and company-wide technical needs for the present and provide a succession plan to accommodate future staffing needs

Lead through planning and objective setting versus day to day oversight of functional group responsibilities

Assist with budget planning and be fiscally responsible for delivering on that plan

The duties and responsibilities described are not a comprehensive list of all tasks. Additional tasks and duties may be assigned from time to time as necessitated by business needs.

Qualifications and Requirements:

Bachelor's degree in Food Science/Engineering or related field. Culinary degree preferred.

Ten years of progressive experience across leadership roles in product development & culinary and food safety in the packaged goods manufacturing industry, preferably in a strategic setting in a mid to large size organization

Excellent communication skills and ability to effectively work, influence, problem solve and communicate at all levels of the organization

Advanced knowledge of Culinary Arts, Food Science/Food Chemistry and/or Nutrition; knowledge of ingredient functionality/interactions; ability to apply this knowledge in the product development, commercialization and manufacturing process to support business goals

Proven track record in people management (developing, coaching, mentoring, directing) with demonstrative teambuilding and collaboration skills

Strong business acumen with an ability to mesh business needs with technical competencies

Demonstrated ability to be well-balanced between the strategic view of the work and execution aspect of the job 

Must have the ability to adapt to change with proven ability to accelerate the performance of R&D groups

Ability to develop both longer range strategic plans that address key business and technical needs and balance with shorter term operational plans

EEO Statement:

Winland Foods believes that diversity and inclusion among our teammates is critical to our success as a global company, and we seek to recruit develop, and retain the most talented people from a diverse candidate pool. Winland Foods is committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants and teammates without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, national origin, age, physical and mental disability, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, military and veteran status, and any other characteristic protected by applicable law.