Director, R&D Flavour Solutions (EMEA)

at  McCormick Company

POSITION OVERVIEW:

Reporting to the Senior R&D Director Flavour Solutions EMEA, this position plays a crucial role in leading and directing all aspects of product and process development, technology development and implementation and technical customer engagement for the McCormick EMEA QSR and Food Service Business within Flavour Solutions segment providing strategic technical leadership and decision making across all relevant product categories and customers. There is a critical requirement to anticipate QSR customer needs and deliver differentiating solutions.
This key leadership role is responsible for development, leveraging and expanding our core technical capabilities in condiments and coatings in accordance with R&D and Business Strategy while directing operations of the EMEA QSR and Condiments Technology Platform R&D teams. The R&D Director operates with a high degree of independence, collaborating and aligning with a broad range of McCormick business functions, our customers senior leadership, cross-divisional leadership, the global R&D function, and other external partners.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Engineering or related field
• Minimum 10 years product development experience in Food Industry
• Minimum of 5 years’ experience in leadership capacity (including managing technical professionals)
• Solid understanding of the food industry and competitive dynamics of food product categories
• Proven experience in customer (B2B) relationship management in leadership role
• Operational and strategic experience gained in a multi-cultural, multi-site and matrix working enviornment
• Ability to establish effective working relationships with internal and external functional groups
• Ability to work effectively in a global environment
• Strong, proven knowledge of designing condiments and coatings products and the associated technologies; knowledge of flavour science/technology is a distinct advantage
• Ability to set and achieve project goals and objectives by applying the discipline of planning, organizing, and managing resources to bring about successful project completion

• Set strategic direction to link EMEA QSR and Condiments Technology Platform R&D teams to EMEA Flavour Solutions business strategy ensuring cross functional alignment and engagement at all levels.
• Business partner to General Manager Global QSR and European Food Service. Leads EMEA QSR and Condiments Technology Platform R&D teams and deploys appropriate resource and skills against development projects, directing inter-team and cross-functional working when required
• Lead the QSR NPD team to flawlessly execute NPD projects that support the QSR FS strategic plan for growth and profit improvement. Activities focused on new product development, technology platform program for condiments and technology roadmap development and implementation, ensure the company’s fit for the future for the 3–5-year pipeline and also includes Product and Process Implementation, cost improvement, business continuity, change management & capacity expansion projects.
• Represent the interests of McCormick at relevant Global and Regional QSR customer engagements both on-site and at the customer’s facilities.
• Build technological and leadership capabilities across EMEA QSR and Condiments Technology Platform R&D teams by developing an efficient regional team committed to excellence, performance, and shared accountability; develop and select, where appropriate, best talent and manage staff performance management, development programmes and succession planning.
• Manages proprietary information and implements systems and programs for organizational effectiveness.
• Accountable for stakeholder management across the business to support the prioritisation and achievement of business objectives.
• Provide effective leadership, communications and change management.
• Builds and maintains relationships and a network of business partners internal and externally with customers and suppliers.