Director of Research & Development

Summary

The Ghirardelli Director of Research and Development is responsible for developing exciting new lines/product platforms and the continuous improvement of products that promote the success of our Branded, Restaurant & Retail, and Food Service businesses. Proven excellence in technical and scientific areas, such as chocolate, confectionary and baking, and the ability to work seamlessly with Marketing, Operations, and other key cross-functional departments is critical.  This role is responsible for overseeing formula/recipe development, specifications, ingredient sourcing, and co-leading innovation exploration and development. The Director is required to enhance, maintain, and apply knowledge of product, ingredient & flavor trends, competition, equipment, and packaging technologies, to drive innovations.

Scope of Responsibilities

• Drives product development – ideation through commercialization; leads/oversees from idea inception, formulation, recipe development, operational feasibility, to production start – up.
• Identifies quality improvements/enhancements and drives implementation.
• Drives culture of innovation
• Passionately identifies /leverages food trends across business portfolio.
• Oversees the accuracy and completeness of all technical documentation. Including but not limited to the following: specifications, formulas, SOP’s, and work instructions.
• Drives continuous improvement (quality and margin) of products and processes.
• Reviews departmental efficiencies and builds strategies to meet business needs.
• Seeks to attract and actively develop talent to meet the growth needs of employees and business.
• Has supervisory responsibility for performance management of direct reports.

Specific Knowledge & Skills

• Drives product development – ideation through commercialization; leads/oversees from idea inception, formulation, recipe development, operational feasibility, to production start – up.*
• Identifies quality improvements/enhancements and drives implementation.*
• Drives culture of innovation*
• Passionately identifies /leverages food trends across business portfolio.
• Oversees the accuracy and completeness of all technical documentation. Including but not limited to the following: specifications, formulas, SOP’s, and work instructions.*
• Drives continuous improvement (quality and margin) of products and processes.*
• Reviews departmental efficiencies and builds strategies to meet business needs.*
• Seeks to attract and actively develop talent to meet the growth needs of employees and business.*
• Has supervisory responsibility for performance management of direct reports.*

Education & Work Experience

• BS Food Science or related field*
• MS Food Science or related field (helpful but not required)
• Minimum 10 years food product development with packaged goods in progressively increasing roles of responsibility.*
• Food service product development is a plus.

• 6-8 years managerial experience with multiple direct reports*

Working Conditions

• Food manufacturing plant environment*
• Exposure to low and high temperatures*
• Exposure to high levels of noise*
• Travel locally, nationally, and internationally up to 25%*
• General office environment and office equipment*

*Indicates Essential Functions of Position