Manager, product research and development job description

Manager, Pet R&D Product Development (Pet Snacks) ORRVILLE, OH

Your Opportunity
In this role, you will have responsibility for managing product development, as well as managing a team of direct reports including scientists, technologists, and a technician. Project scopes will include innovation (from study request to launch), brand maintenance/renovation, value engineering, and business support. You will interface with all functions within Pet R&D, as well as cross-functional peers including Innovation, Operations, Insights, Brand Marketing, Procurement, Co-Manufacturing, and Quality. You will be expected to provide formulation, processing, and other technical guidance. Currently, you would have responsibility for a portfolio of dog snack brands which include Rachael Ray Nutrish, Pup-Peroni, Canine Carry-outs, and others. This area of responsibility will very likely evolve over time because we encourage employees to gain experience across various areas of our portfolio of brands and product formats.

Primary responsibilities:
Coach and develop a team of direct reports to have both the technical capabilities to drive business results, and the resonant leadership to drive engagement and growth. Manage R&D resource allocation.Proactively engage with cross-functional partners, develop new products, optimize current products, connect consumer understanding to product and process specifications, and execute technical readiness with excellence.Lead and collaborate with cross-functional team members in various departments including Marketing, Finance, Operations, Quality and Food Safety, Procurement, Co-Manufacturing, Insights, Regulatory, Legal, etc.Deliver projects successfully with the agreed upon success criteria including consumer acceptance, cost/margin, technical feasibility, and commercial feasibility while managing timelines and budget.Manage the planning & execution of experiments by the technical team from benchtop through scale-up. Accountabilities include but not limited to - sourcing raw materials, creating learning plans, prototype development & refinement, data analysis and interpretation.Identify & establish success criteria for projects including consumer acceptance, pet acceptance, food safety, quality & regulatory metrics.Collaborate with peers to lead strategic development and continuous improvement of R&D capabilities and systems.

Knowledge and abilities:
Demonstrate strong business & technical acumen to appropriately scope the technical development for projects Familiarity with theories, practices and procedures used in Feed/Pet Food Ingredients, Formulation and Product DevelopmentPrevious exposure to Feed Formulation Systems (ex: Concept 5, Format), practical understanding of statistics and application within Statistical Analysis packages (ex: JMP, Minitab) Ability to work with project/resource management systems including Stage-gate/Accolade. Familiarity with PLM/Prodika for specifications development.Creative thinking as applied to solving problems Able to identify areas of opportunity for new material technology application, material optimization and/or consolidation. Ability to communicate (written and oral) complex messages clearly and in a manner that is appropriate to the specific audience.

Is this the Role for You?
Are you a passionate leader motivated by the opportunity to drive meaningful change? Are you excited for the chance to work with a productive team and support their continued growth and development? Do you share in our dedication to continuous improvement and growth? If so, you are the type of professional we want to add to our Company!
What we are looking for:
Required:
Bachelor's degree or higher in Science or EngineeringMinimum 7 years combined experience in R&D, QA, TSO, or Engineering roles Minimum 4 years CPG experience Proven people management and team building experience Experience partnering internally and externally with strong collaboration.Experience effectively communicating, verbally and in writing, complex ideas to a variety of stakeholders within and outside the company Experience in delivering in a changing and fast-paced environment, managing multiple projects simultaneously Skilled in leadership, documentation, collaboration, driving process change Ability to see the big picture view Ability to influence, enroll, and hold others accountable who are not in reporting relationships Understanding of manufacturing standards, plant operations, supply chain and R&DProficient relationship builder & communicator-verbal, presentations, written Comfortable working with a wide range of styles and personalities Ability to travel up to 25% of the work schedule is required
Desired:
10+ years of R&D, TSO or Engineering experience5+ years of experience in Human / Pet Food industry

Why Smucker is the Place for You
You deserve a positive and encouraging work environment. One that allows you to deliver your best work and become your best professional self. That is exactly what you will find at Smucker.
Inspired by our unique culture, we are determined to support every employee holistically by meeting their physical, emotional and financial needs through:
Our Total Reward benefits program - includes competitive health and financial benefits that reflect your needs at different life stages, and a continued commitment to empower flexible work schedules and remote work opportunities to help you thrive. Continuous opportunities to learn, grow and develop - beyond functional job-based education, we promote well-rounded development and encourage a spirit of continuous learning as part of our commitment to help you realize your professional goals.Our continued progress on the journey to become the inclusive and diverse organization we expect to be supporting equity across our communities. We firmly believe that an inclusive environment and diverse organization strengthens our Company and enables every employee to reach their full potential.
Learn More About Working at Smucker
Our Total Rewards Benefits ProgramOur Thriving Together Philosophy Supporting All Impacted by Our BusinessOur Continued Progress on Inclusion, Diversity and Equity
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Do you want to challenge the status quo? Are you ready to jump in and get dirty assisting with product installations? Do you want to join a thriving company whose history is truly in the making? Supportworks Inc. is looking for a Manger of Research and Development to join our Brand Innovation team in designing and launching best in class products.
What We Do

Supportworks comprises a family of distinct companies that share a single purpose: to redefine the contractor industry. Foundation Supportworks develops, manufactures, and distributes foundation and concrete repair products to a network of home repair contractors across North America and beyond. Hello Garage, is a franchise system that's opening up the possibilities in the garage renovation space. And SolutionView is a software company that develops digital tools that radically improve the contractor-homeowner experience.

Qualifications

As the Research and Development Manager, you will:

Lead and Manage a Team

* Cascade the organization's vision, provide clear direction and remove barriers so that our vision is achievable
* Recruit, select, onboard and train new employees
* Provide expectations and hold employees accountable to meeting these expectations
* Manage performance, conduct performance reviews and partner with HR on other performance decisions
* Create/provide opportunities for growth and development

Test & Optimize New and Existing Products

* Formulate appropriate testing scenarios to deliver against objectives
* Own planning for testing, including procuring needed materials, scheduling with key partners and communicating with the homeowner/employee
* Lead execution of testing, document learnings, communicate results to team and collaborate on next steps

Research & Identify Products and Related Tools/Equipment

* Research products and identify those that will achieve desired homeowner/dealer needs; procure and test
* Explore best tools and equipment for application of all new products, procuring and testing alternatives as situations warrant
* Make recommendations on best products, tools and equipment weighing results against cost/scalability; initiate and route product outlines when ready to move to commercialization
* Create full tool and equipment list to support new product launches

Develop & Execute Initial Install Training for Internal and External Customers

* Create best-practice recommendation for installation of new products based on test installs
* Document detailed install steps, frequently asked questions and other reference materials for trainees
* Collaborate with Training & Development to ensure high quality training to develop production capabilities and enable business success

Education and Experience:

* Field or install mindset; hands-on experience with a home service contractor business a plus
* Creative thinker - ability to think outside the box to identify solutions
* Willingness and ability to get your hands dirty through regular product installs and testing (up to 50% of this job is in the field)
* Good oral and written communication skills
* Organized and detail-oriented with ability to manage multiple priorities at the same time

Supportworks is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE).

Summary of position:

The Senior R&D Manager will utilize strong technical expertise, leadership and strategic skills to provide competitive solutions that satisfy the business and customer needs. This will include the management of R&D programs from idea conception to product commercialization, including the development of a regional innovation strategy for chemical products. The role also includes leading cross-functional team members to drive excellence through exceptional strategic thinking and technical rigor.

The Senior R&D Manager plans and drives multiple R&D projects, supports development and execution of innovation strategy, and will drive adoption of chemical products to market. He/She supports the managing/mentoring of the product team (internal employees and external global consultants) and is responsible for vendor / supplier management. Additionally, he/she will be an experienced in global regulatory and compliance practices with regards to chemical product applicability in accordance to local environmental regulations. (Current global presence includes U.S., Canada, Australia, U.K, Ireland)

Responsibilities:

Key Responsibilities include, but not limited to

+ Development of Novel Wood Protection Technologies (Directed Research)

+ Administrative activities of R&D group (budgets, personnel, performance etc.)

+ Product Maintenance (vendor / supplier network and management, long-term planning)

+ Manufacturing (knowledge of manufacturing and supply management processes)

+ Quality Control (ensuring products are safe and meet set standards)

+ Operations & Sales Support (support of field operations and customer engagement)

+ Industry Stewardship & Leadership (Active participation in AWPA, TWC, WWPI, CIGRE, etc.)

+ Regulations, and Compliance Governance (Environmental security and material handling)

Job Responsibilities (Details)

+ Lead a team of scientists in developing novel technologies and products for wood protection and corrosion prevention

+ Expert knowledge of Chemistry, Agricultural | Pesticide Science or related field and relevant analytical tools; knowledge of pesticides, soil and wood fumigants is a plus

+ Oversee the administrative activities of Osmose R&D group and lead the technical activities of the R&D and Applied Technology

+ Ensure the smooth transition of new formulations developed by R&D scientists/chemists from laboratory to full commercial launching in a timely manner.

+ Lead in coordinating and preparing data package for EPA, PMRA, and APVMA Registration as needed.

+ Liaison and work with Customer Service Group to provide technical support for global customers and perform root-cause analysis and other problem-solving activities to identify effective corrective actions and process improvements.

+ Liaison with Manufacturing Group and coordinate with internal R&D scientists to provide trouble-shooting solutions for existing product manufacturing.

+ Interact with Commercial and Marketing Departments as part of a cross-functional team of Sr. Research Chemists, Analytical Chemists, Wood Technologists and Chemical Engineers routinely and provide technical support and troubleshooting for existing products and for process improvement and excellence. (Internal and External network of scientists, technologists, and industry experts)

+ Ensure Osmose R&D facilities in compliance with all OSHA, state, and federal regulatory and safety requirements.

+ Maintain active membership in appropriate trade organizations (e.g., American Wood-Preservers' Association) to monitor industry trends and changes, and be familiar with wood treating standards, and testing requirements for building code approval or AWPA requirements.

+ Support management in providing job performance evaluation, and career development to staff.

+ Support product management on new product development, commercialization and operationalization as needed.

Requirements, Education & Experience:

+ MS/Ph.D. in Chemistry/Chemical Engineering/Material Science & Engineering/Wood Science or related area

+ 10+ years of industrial work experience required, experience in wood protection areas preferred

+ Profound experience in R&D processes, registration, EHS, and IP related aspects required.

+ Minimum 5 years managerial experience in product design, development, or technology development and/or transfer

+ Significant proven personnel management experience, 5-7 years preferred

+ Minimum 5+ years of experience in formulating and registering EPA regulated biocides required

+ Experience with global regulatory bodies equivalent to EPA would be a preferred

+ Competent in problem solving, team building, planning and decision making

+ Excellent written & verbal communication skills

+ Strong wood preservation and protection knowledge and strong manufacturing knowledge and experience preferred

+ Excellent leadership and management skills and excellent interpersonal skills

+ Flexibility to adapt to varying situations to attain goals and meet deadlines.

+ Perform other duties and tasks as requested by management.

Travel: Position requires travel to different sites up to 30% a week.

Benefits

Come grow with us! Full-time employees enjoy a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

+ Medical Insurance and Health Savings Account with company contribution

+ Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, STD, LTD, Critical Illness Plan and more!

+ 401(k) with excellent company match

+ Paid time off (vacation, sick, floating holidays)

Osmose is an Equal Opportunity employer. EOE M/F/Disabled/Vet