Director of Research Development

Keeps Nature’s path on the leading edge of new product development by: Leading all product development projects from concept to market launch. Develops and champions the strategic development of technology road maps for ingredients/formulas/products that leads to future competitive differentiation. Researching new and current raw materials and applications. Develops and manages external technical relationships with suppliers and other open innovation partners to advance external technologies with mutual business benefits and competitive differentiation. Directs and manages the performance and provides leadership and technical guidance to staff to deliver on project and department goals. Develops and implements programs to improve efficiencies, speed and quality of responses for external partnerships. Communicates status of external initiatives to executive management on a regular basis. Participate in sales and product demonstration presentations to customers. Ensures operational standards for quality, cost, lean manufacture, food safety and sustainability by: Driving cost containment and quality standards of ingredients by researching vendors adoptions. Leading and participating in the creation of new product run documentation and costing, including processing parameters, ingredient specifications and cost, nutritional information and disposition of final product. Working with Operations and R&D team to optimize run parameters. Managing ongoing product shelf-life testing of all new and revised products Participating in operational meetings to ensure documentation and review of pre- and post- new product runs. Develops, communicates and manages internal and external budgets. Plays a key role in the assurance of customer satisfaction with quality, consistent products by: Leading R&D group and collaborating with key stakeholders in determining optimal final product specifications for new product development. Ensuring new product data in entered into Genesis database for creation of new product packaging. Ensuring consistent and timely updates of current recipes into appropriate databases. Maintaining up-to-date knowledge of all legal requirements for packaging change. Education: Bachelor’s degree or higher Respect for or experience in the whole health/natural organics industry desirable. Approx.10 years: Product Development, Research & Development experience - From Concept to Commercialization. Cereal extrusion and baking experience desirable. Knowledge in food chemistry and statistical analysis as used in designing experiments and measuring process capabilities. This opportunity pays between $160,000-$215,000 depending on experience. Thank you for considering Natures Path!