US Product Development Director

at  Schreiber Foods

Job Category:
Research & Development
Job Family:
Research and Development
Job Description:
As the US Product Development Director, you will be responsible for leading and providing strategic direction to a group of food scientists and technical personnel to develop or modify products, processes and formulas to support and grow the US business.
The product development team efforts include developing new products & manufacturing processes and modifying existing products & processes to meet customers’ needs and/or improve overall quality or costs. The team is responsible for developing or identifying new or more cost-effective ingredients and production methods. Support contract manufacturing customers on projects, trials and startups. As the director, you will be expected to actively participate in strategic planning and goal setting for the department.
This position is located at our Home Office in Green Bay, Wisconsin.
About our Green Bay, WI Home Office:
You’ll find lots to love in our beautiful home office in downtown Green Bay, Wisconsin. Our jeans-friendly environment has indoor and outdoor collaboration spaces, state-of-the-art R&D and sensory labs, culinary kitchens, a pilot plant, innovation center and more.

What you’ll do:

• Develop a strategic plan for the US-PD group to help identify and drive key product development projects and build effective customer and internal stakeholder interfaces to ensure speed to market and successful product launches.
• Direct R&D scientists at home office and plants to projects as proposed by Product Strategies (marketing), Sales, Purchasing, Operations, other Schreiber Foods functions or internally generated including new products, product modifications and cost savings projects to serve Schreiber customers.
• Serve as R&D liaison with key internal stakeholders and strategic customers to understand and anticipate business needs and provide direction to the team to effectively and efficiently commercialize new products.
• Work collaboratively with and assist R&D Technical Services Director and Innovation Director in scanning the environment for new product and process technologies that could be of benefit to Schreiber Foods.
• Work collaboratively with other technical (QA, formulations, regulatory, etc) leaders to develop effective training and educational programs and assist partners with developing new competencies
• Work cross functionally within the larger R&D organization and the Innovation team with ideas and resources as necessary to support the Growth strategy.
• From a technical standpoint, advise the company on potential M&A.
• Together with the leadership team, ensures compliance with Food Safety and Food Quality Plans, in addition to customer requirements. Interprets and communicates customer requirements to plant production and/or support groups.
• Establishes and Audits PCPs, CCPs and Standard Operating Procedures to define and monitor processes, to ensure customer requirements are met. Reviews incidents during which the procedures are not met, and determines appropriate corrective action for partners failing to follow standard procedures.

What you will need to succeed:

• Bachelor’s degree in food science, Dairy Science or related field
• 10+ years’ experience in technical research within the food industry focused on product development and innovation.
• 5+ years’ experience in industrial R&D, dairy preferred
• Research/project management experience/skills in the areas of natural cheese, process cheeses, cream cheese and/or yogurt.
• Strong leadership skills and written/verbal communications skills are essential.
• Knowledge of Schreiber Foods product lines a plus.
• Ability to travel up to 10%

Eligible partners will receive:

• Get not one, but TWO retirement benefits. When you join our employee-owned company, you’ll be part of our Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) from day one. That means in addition to an 8% 401(k) match into the ESOP, Schreiber will contribute an extra amount – about 10% of your earnings – toward your retirement every year. That’s a company contribution of around 18% in retirement savings annually!
• Earn bonus pay. You’ll have an opportunity to earn incentive pay twice a year when we meet our company goals.
• Earn $ for focusing on your health. Get up to $1,200 for your health savings account each year, plus get reimbursed for fitness membership, equipment or classes.
• Pursue development that’s relevant to your role, career goals and the company. Plus, we offer tuition reimbursement if you want to further your education to grow in your role at Schreiber.
• Get access to medical, prescription drug, dental and vision benefits starting day one. This includes an onsite nurse and mental health counselor.
• Experience caring like you’ve never experienced it before. We have a program that’s completely organized by and for other partners who need extra help. It’s called Partners Helping Partners. We have hundreds of examples of partners organizing fundraisers to help out others going through a hard time.

Sound like a company you’d like to be a part of? Click Apply.
Need extra assistance with the application process? Contact
recruiting@schreiberfoods.com
or call 920-437-7601.
For positions that require any amount of travel: Valid driver’s license, auto insurance (at least state minimum- more might be required), acceptable driving record per Schreiber Foods discretion, and vehicle that will ensure applicant can meet the travel necessities of the position are required.
Schreiber requires that an employee have authorization to work in the country in which the role is based. In the event, an applicant does not have current work authorization, Schreiber will determine, in its sole discretion, whether to sponsor an individual for work authorization. However, based on immigration requirements, not all roles are suitable for sponsorship.
An Equal Opportunity Employer, all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability.
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• Develop a strategic plan for the US-PD group to help identify and drive key product development projects and build effective customer and internal stakeholder interfaces to ensure speed to market and successful product launches.
• Direct R&D scientists at home office and plants to projects as proposed by Product Strategies (marketing), Sales, Purchasing, Operations, other Schreiber Foods functions or internally generated including new products, product modifications and cost savings projects to serve Schreiber customers.
• Serve as R&D liaison with key internal stakeholders and strategic customers to understand and anticipate business needs and provide direction to the team to effectively and efficiently commercialize new products.
• Work collaboratively with and assist R&D Technical Services Director and Innovation Director in scanning the environment for new product and process technologies that could be of benefit to Schreiber Foods.
• Work collaboratively with other technical (QA, formulations, regulatory, etc) leaders to develop effective training and educational programs and assist partners with developing new competencies
• Work cross functionally within the larger R&D organization and the Innovation team with ideas and resources as necessary to support the Growth strategy.
• From a technical standpoint, advise the company on potential M&A.
• Together with the leadership team, ensures compliance with Food Safety and Food Quality Plans, in addition to customer requirements. Interprets and communicates customer requirements to plant production and/or support groups.
• Establishes and Audits PCPs, CCPs and Standard Operating Procedures to define and monitor processes, to ensure customer requirements are met. Reviews incidents during which the procedures are not met, and determines appropriate corrective action for partners failing to follow standard procedures