Director of Product Development / R&D (Product Innovation)

Director of Product Development / R&D (Product Innovation)

Our client is an innovative and fast growing $4B protein division of one of the leading food companies in the US. We seek a best in class head of R&D (product innovation) executive to build on the exceptional leadership team managing our progressive client. 

Title:                           Director of Product Development / R&D (Product Innovation)

Reports to:               VP Marketing

Location:                  Kansas City, MO 

This position is responsible for proactively leading a Research and Development team utilizing consumer insights, strategic planning, product development and culinary/packaging expertise.  Responsible for executing the commercialization and engineering of new innovative products, and renovate existing products/packages.  The candidate for this position highly motivated with excellent communication, interpersonal and leadership skills. 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES : 

1.	35%	Identification, development and execution of consumer, market, competitive research and analysis to drive business decisions to achieve company’s financial goals.  Direct all phases of projects including: budget management, implementation, analysis, reporting and presentation of findings.
2.	35%	Identify, design, develop and evaluate new product ideas, strategic product extensions and translate research discoveries into usable and marketable products.   Lead testing of new product initiatives including prototype development, test launch, monitoring and result analysis.
3.	10%	Monitor and identify new food trends that can be leveraged across the portfolio of products and favors.  Lead product renovation and integrity initiatives, including taste/quality improvement and margin enhancement opportunities.
4.	20%	Work closely with cross functional areas/business units within the company. Establish and maintain relationships with outside research suppliers and experts in the industry.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

·         Responsible for the overall direction, coordination, and evaluation of Product Development staff.

·         Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization's policies and applicable laws.

·         Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems 

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE

·         Bachelor’s degree (B.A. / B.S.) from four-year college or university in or a related discipline or related field, Product Development and 8+ years experience or equivalent combination of education and experience.  MBA preferred.

·         Experience working with a Consumer Products industry including consumer research, product development and analytical services or significant experience consulting with a major firm preferred.

·         Protein experience required and refrigeration experience a plus

·         Direct marketing analytics experience at a multi-channel company.  Special emphasis on a branded retail.

·         Organized, efficient and able to manage commercialization processes as well as grasp operational details and financial strategies.

·         Ability to build strong business relationships and work collaboratively with marketing peers.

·         Superior written and verbal communication skills.

If you or anyone you know are qualified and meet the requirements outlined in this announcement, please send your resume to research@huntsearch.com for consideration. Please Note: this is intended to provide a brief overview of the position described above and is being shared with numerous potentially qualified individuals and organization leaders within our network. We receive hundreds of referrals and inquiries daily from multiple sources.

Regretfully, we are unable to respond to every individual. Please know we will give careful consideration to all inquiries.
 
All candidate communications will be held in the strictest of confidence. For ethical reasons, we are unable to represent individuals currently employed by any of our protected clients without the client's written authorization.
 
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