Senior Manager, Research & Innovation (R&D)

About the job

Reporting to the Sr Director of Research & Innovation for Beverage Creations, this position leads a team supporting the Danone Ready-to-Drink Coffee & Waters businesses. The incumbent is responsible for managing and developing a team of food scientists, managing a portfolio of product development projects with both local and global involvement and representing R&I as a leader with both internal and external stakeholders.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Directly manages a team of professional level product developers to include technical guidance, project and business advisement and career development.
• 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.
• 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.
• Plan, execute, and manage the development of prototype products in lab, pilot plant and at production facilities. Maintain stringent technical and experimental documentation.
• Source and maintain vendor relationships to secure the necessary ingredients that align with prevailing company standards. Evaluate new suppliers and/or ingredients.
• Support and drive global technical initiatives to support the long-term pipeline and strategy.
• Provide technical support to engineering and operations teams to troubleshoot manufacturing challenges.
• Facilitate needed sensory evaluations and consumer taste panels. Utilize consumer insights to improve product formulations and qualify new innovations.
• Ensure all developed products meet internal and external guidelines for nutrition, regulatory affairs, and food labeling.
• Own the commercialization of products from ideation through scale up and retail launch.
• 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.
• 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.
• All other duties as assigned.

The salary range for this position is $118,000-169,000 USD. The exact salary offered will depend on several factors, including the candidate's relevant experience, geographic location, internal equity, and market conditions. 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.

This role is considered a "hybrid" position that allows for flexible work, meaning it is a role where collaboration with key stakeholders in Danone Hubs occurs. While you may have the option to work from home on a schedule as agreed to with your supervisor, you are also expected to regularly report to your assigned office location at least 3 days per week.