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Job Purpose and Impact

The R&D Lead will explore and develop new and existing products. In this position, you will provide technical expertise to new product development for product line growth. This position identifies and implements technical solutions against business goals. Customer contact is essential in this role.

Key Accountabilities

• Identify product growth and new product opportunities, modifying plans to meet opportunities and take decisions within the category team and be an advocate of the team.
• Provide technical leadership in product development and improvement, quality systems and regulatory oversight. Leading & guiding technical trainings to build & share application knowledge.
• Develop and implement innovation roadmap market plans including market and innovation plans aligned to the business strategy. Run product demonstrations and serve as the expert during these meetings.
• Work with cross functional teams that include marketing, insights, culinary, sales, ops, food safety quality and regulatory to lead innovation & proactive developments.
• Partner with sales, marketing partners to identify and meet customer needs and bring technical solutions to customers. 
• Management of the team of the newly created Protein Innovation Hub (CPIH) ensuring safety and food safety, including the pilot line and being in contact with the relevant key stakeholders on the site.
• Create and maintain the budget and expenses for the research team, align resources. 
• Manage the New Product Development (NPD) projects in the relevant portfolio.
• Independently handle complex issues with minimal supervision, while escalating only the most complex issues to appropriate staff. 
• Other duties as assigned.
  

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field or equivalent experience.
• Experience working in a manufacturing environment.
• Demonstrated financial and business acumen.
• Experience working successfully in a matrixed organization.
• Experience leading teams (not large team required).
• Prior experience in product management/ project management.
• Minimum of four years of related work experience.
• Other minimum qualifications may apply.

Preferred Qualifications

• PhD or Master’s degree in Food Science, Chemistry, Biology or other related field or equivalent experience.
• Research and development work experience with foodservice and/or retail customers.
• Experience in poultry product development is a plus. 
• Ability to independently identify complex problems, identify and use resources to implement solutions. 
• Leadership and project management skills. 
• Strong customer focus and interpersonal skills to develop and cultivate deep customer relationships. 
• Good communication skills, Team player.
• Entrepreneurship/Growth mindset, great sense of organization.
• Self-motivation and autonomy with a stress resilience.
• Fluent in French and English.