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The Senior Director, Science & Innovation, is a transformational leader responsible for driving innovation while overseeing the organization’s core science streams: production, pest management, biomass utilization, human nutrition, ingredient innovation, and environmental stewardship.  This is a full time, exempt position based out of our headquarters in Modesto, CA with a hybrid work schedule.
This role places innovation at the forefront - leading a small team dedicated to accelerating new uses for almonds in culinary, consumer packaged goods (CPG), military, and school/institutional channels. At the same time, the Sr. Director ensures that scientific excellence and credibility are maintained across all research domains, aligning them with innovation-driven goals that expand global demand for almonds, advance production practices, and strengthen stewardship outcomes.

The following duties are typical of those performed by employees in this job title; however, employees may perform other related duties.

• Lead the ingredient innovation function for ABC, prioritizing new applications of almonds in culinary, institutional (schools, military), and CPG markets.
• Develop and manage a robust innovation project pipeline, balancing short-, mid-, and long-term opportunities.
• Build global partnerships with food and ingredient companies, startups, accelerators, and institutional buyers to accelerate commercialization of almond ingredient innovations and applications.
• Champion open innovation models (incubators, venture partnerships, design challenges, universities, etc.) to generate fresh ideas and applications.

• Production Research: Oversee scientific studies that advance almond production and pest management practices, improve yields, and support grower success.
• Biomass Utilization: Guide research into value-added uses for almond coproducts and circular economy solutions.
• Nutrition Research: Ensure nutrition science programs support global marketing and public relations with credible, evidence-based outcomes.
• Environmental Stewardship: Advance research in water efficiency, carbon footprint reduction, regenerative practices, and environmental positioning for almonds.

• Integrate science, research, and innovation strategies into a unified roadmap for ABC.
• Anticipate and respond to global trends in food, agriculture, nutrition, and sustainability to keep almonds competitive and relevant.

• Establish and lead a Global Almond Innovation Network of universities, companies, NGOs, and government partners.
• Represent ABC at national and international conferences, trade forums, and thought-leadership platforms.
• Build strong alliances with academic institutions, regulators, NGOs, and commercial partners to advance almond science and innovation worldwide.

• Lead and provide strategic direction to ABC’s Strategic Ag Innovation Committee, and Innovation Workgroup, ensuring alignment with research and innovation priorities.
• Actively participate in and provide expertise to key committees including: Nutrition Research Committee, Global Market Development (GMD) Committee, and multiple working groups and task forces.
• Support and advise other Board committees on scientific, nutrition, and innovation-related investments and strategies.
• Oversee grant administration, contract approvals, and annual research/innovation budget reviews for committees.
• Serve as a primary staff liaison to the Board of Directors on matters related to research, nutrition, stewardship, and innovation.

• Inspire and manage a Science & Innovation team spanning innovation specialists and scientific program leads.
• Build a culture of curiosity, experimentation, and collaboration across all science and innovation functions.
• Mentor direct reports, set clear performance goals, drive accountability, and promote professional development.
• Uphold and support ABC standards, policies, and procedures.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Skills and Competencies:

• Innovation Leadership: Demonstrated success in driving demand, leading innovation, creating incremental growth, and building commercialization pathways.
• Scientific Expertise: Strong background across agriculture, regulatory and related government entities (USDA and others), food science, nutrition, and environmental stewardship.
• Strategic Vision: Ability to design and execute global, cross-functional strategies.
• Commercial Acumen: Understanding of institutional markets, CPG pathways, and consumer adoption cycles.
• Global Mindset: Experience leading international collaborations and navigating cross-cultural markets.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Ability to build and sustain alliances with diverse stakeholders.
• Leadership & Management: Proven success in leading multidisciplinary teams and advising Board-level committees.
• Communication Skills: Exceptional ability to translate science and innovation into compelling narratives for technical, industry, and public audiences.
• Governance & Influence: Skilled at working with committees, boards, and external advisory groups to drive alignment and impact.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills with ability to develop and maintain strong working relationships.
• Proven track record of driving business development by crafting business plans, transforming insights into strategy, and delivering successful project launches.

Other Requirements:

• Must be able to obtain and maintain valid passports for international travel

Education And Experience: A typical way to obtain the above knowledge and skill is a combination of education and experience equivalent to:

• PhD strongly preferred in food science, nutrition, agriculture, or environmental stewardship.
• 15+ years of senior leadership experience in research, innovation, or scientific affairs, ideally within agriculture, foodservice, or CPG industries.
•  Committee/Board Experience: Prior involvement in committee or board governance is highly desirable.
• Management: Proven ability to lead both technical and innovation-focused teams, with significant budget and resource oversight.  Strength in collaborating as a member of an executive team. 
• Impact: Track record of translating science into measurable market growth and stewardship outcomes. 

Physical Characteristics: The physical abilities involved in the performance of essential duties are:

• Working at a computer for extended periods of time
• Vision sufficient to read handwritten and printed documents and computer screens
• Speech and hearing sufficient to communi­cate by phone and in person
• Manual dexterity sufficient to use a variety of office equipment and tools, computer key­boards, and to manipulate papers.
• May lift up to 30 pounds and manipulate heavier objects using dollies.
• Domestic and international travel to exceed 30%
• Occasional field visits with exposure to noise, dust, odors, and compounds commonly used in a farm/food processing setting, and mechanical equipment in the orchard and process environment