Summary

Director Research & Development

At our Company, we grow People, Brands, and Businesses! We are seeking ahighly dynamic Director of Research & Development who plans, performs, and monitors all activities related to research and development, including design, and testing of products, while incorporating technology, value engineering, and business growth measures implementing client’s objectives & initiatives, while maintaining organization’s high standards. The Director oversees all assigned members of the R&D department, as well as communicates all concepts and projects with the Vice President of Culinary. S/he implements strategic plans and applied research to complete the daily operations. S/he oversees the project management, new product forecasting and budgeting. S/he is also responsible for generating new opportunities for existing and new clients.

Take this opportunity to join North America’s leading business solutions provider and build your career working with amazing people in a growing industry! Apply today!

What we offer:

• Full-Time Benefits (Medical, Dental, Vision, Life)

• 401(k) with company match

• Training and Career Development

• Generous Paid Time-Off

Responsibilities:

• Develop strategic account-specific programs to promote Client’s portfolio of brands, making adjustments to optimize the strategies for our clients.

• Develops business growth opportunities; and, works with the leadership team to secure and increase company revenue.

• Ensure compliance with federal, state, local and company health and safety codes, sanitation, and alcohol awareness standards.

• Document all work according to established procedures and guidelines.

• Provide a detailed budget and cost estimates for all test kitchen requests.

• Meet & maintain safety codes and requirements.

Qualifications:

• Associate's Degree is required; Bachelor's Degree preferred, or equivalent job-related experience

• 10+ Years of experience in Foodservice-distributors, equipment, industry trends and operations. High-level knowledge of food safety

• Supervising Skills, to include Delegating Responsibility, Training, & Evaluating Performance

• Team Building Skills

• Ability to Visualize & Plan Objectives & Goals Strategically

• Ability to Develop Strategic Plans to Grow Business

Responsibilities

The Company is one of North America’s leading sales and marketing agencies specializing in outsourced sales, merchandising, category management and marketing services to manufacturers, suppliers and producers of food products and consumer packaged goods. The Company services a variety of trade channels including grocery, mass merchandise, specialty, convenience, drug, dollar, club, hardware, consumer electronics and home centers. We bridge the gap between manufacturers and retailers, providing consumers access to the best products available in the marketplace today.

Essential Job Duties and Responsibilities

Client Services Research and Development – Develop strategic account-specific programs to promote Client’s portfolio of brands, making adjustments to optimize the strategies for our clients by:

• Conduct extensive research and experimentation in the culinary sciences of ingredient pairings and preparation

• Continuously research and maintain awareness of culinary/industry trends, consumer requirements, progressing aids, and food safety developments

• Source, test, and specify the use of new ingredients, industrial natural flavorings, additives, and processing aids to deliver new recipes

• Combine innovative and creative ideas and exceptional kitchen capability in developing products with commercial understanding of what will be profitable to the business and the customer/end user

• Develops business growth opportunities; and, works with leadership team to secure and increase company revenue

• Focus on maintaining and retaining assigned clients

Manage overall Recipe and Procedure Creation

• Ensure compliance with federal, state, local and company health and safety codes, sanitation, and alcohol awareness standards

• Document all work according to established procedures and guidelines

Cost and Budget Analysis

• Provide detailed budget and cost estimates for all test kitchen requests

• Identify gaps within store equipment and supplies and manage the sourcing, pricing, and deployment of needed assets

Kitchen Management

• Meet & maintain safety codes and requirements

Supervisory Responsibilities

Direct Reports

• Hires, retains, trains, coaches, guides, directs, and develops direct reports using company-wide processes, tools and resources

Indirect Reports

• May delegate work of others and provide guidance, direction and mentoring to indirect reports

Travel and/or Driving Requirements

• Travel and Driving are essential duties and function of this job

Minimum Qualifications

The following are the minimum job-related qualifications which an individual needs in order to successfully perform the essential duties and responsibilities of the job

Education Level:

(Required): Associate's Degree or equivalent experience

(Preferred): Bachelor's Degree or equivalent experience

Field of Study/Area of Experience: Degree Program/Major (e.g. Marketing, Business Administration or related field)

10+ Years of experience in Foodservice-distributors, equipment, industry trends and operations. High level knowledge of food safety.

Skills, Knowledge and Abilities

• Supervising Skills, to include Delegating Responsibility, Training, & Evaluating Performance

• Team Building Skills

• Ability to make Oral Presentations

• Ability to Visualize & Plan Objectives & Goals Strategically

• Ability to Develop Strategic Plans to Grow Business

• Ability to Direct, Lead, & Develop People

• Strong Written & Verbal Communication Skills

Environmental & Physical Requirements

Office / Non-Sedentary Requirements

Incumbent must be able to perform the essential functions of the job. Work may be performed in an office or warehouse environment. Typically requires the ability to spend 66%+ hours each work day doing the following activities: stand for extended periods of time, walk, bend, stoop, or climb. May have possible exposure to dust, and may require the ability to lift and/or push up to 50 pounds 33% - 66% of the time.

Additional Information Regarding The Company Job Duties and Job Descriptions

Job duties include additional responsibilities as assigned by one’s supervisor or other manager related to the position/department. This job description is meant to describe the general nature and level of work being performed; it is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required for the position. The Company reserves the right at any time with or without notice to alter or change job responsibilities, reassign or transfer job position or assign additional job responsibilities, subject to applicable law. The Company shall provide reasonable accommodations of known disabilities to enable a qualified applicant or employee to apply for employment, perform the essential functions of the job, or enjoy the benefits and privileges of employment as required by the law.

Any estimate, schedule, or guideline provided to associates in this job description or elsewhere in connection with their jobs is only intended to help describe job duties and for planning purposes. Regardless of any such estimate, schedule, or guideline, associates must always record all time worked for our company (which includes but is not limited to on-site work time in an assigned store, office, or other work location; required waiting time; administrative time; and work-related travel time).

Important Information

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this position. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of associates so classified.

The Company is committed to providing equal opportunity in all employment practices without regard to age, race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, religion, physical or mental disability, or any other category protected by law. As part of this commitment, the Company shall provide reasonable accommodations of known disabilities to enable an applicant or employee to apply for employment, perform the essential functions of the job, or enjoy the benefits and privileges of employment as required by the law.

Job Locations US-IL-Chicago

Primary Posting Location : City Chicago

Primary Posting Location : State/Province IL

Postal Code 60601

Primary Posting Location : Country US

Requisition ID 2022-425391

Position Type Full Time