Manager, Research & Development

Herr Foods Inc.

Nottingham, NH

Vision , Medical , Dental , Paid Time Off , Life Insurance , Retirement
Full-Time

Job Description

Description

Building a great career never tasted so good!

We are currently seeking a qualified individual for the Manager, Research and Development position, joining our Nottingham, PA team!

SCHEDULE: Monday-Friday approximately 40+ hours a week
BENEFITS: This position is full-time benefit eligible, elective benefits include:
- Medical, dental, hearing and vision insurance.
- Opportunity to contribute to a 401k, company profit sharing.
- Paid vacation, holiday and sick time.
- Paid Employee referral program.

Job Summary:
This position is responsible for managing the day-to-day functions of the Research and Development department including, development of new products and seasonings, compliance, project management, people management, and cross-collaboration with other departments.

Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in chemistry, Biology or Food Science or Culinary Science degree required.
Minimum 5 years’ experience with product, flavor formation & development required. CPG industry preferred.
Minimum 3 years’ experience leading and motivating a team of professionals required.
Knowledge of Safe Quality Foods (SQF) and HAACP guidelines.
Strong proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite intermediate required.
Understands competitive dynamics of snack product categories.
Working knowledge and understanding of ingredient and seasoning functionality and the interrelationship of ingredients, processing, and packaging.
Excels at collaborating with a diverse array of employees and customers.
Experience using a full range of statistical and analytical tools and use direct knowledge of food manufacturing regulations, food plant sanitation and microbiology.
Excellent communication, collaboration and relationship building skills.
Recognized as one who can use problem-solving and analytical skills to work toward creative solutions.
Ability to effectively present information in one-on-one and small group situations to internal/external customers.
Demonstrated experience with attention to detail, time management and excellent organization skills.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms and talk or hear.. The employee will be spending significant time sitting and working at a computer as well as interfacing with team members.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Reasonable accommodations for disability

Any employee who believes that a reasonable accommodation s required for purposes of federal or state disability law is required to contact Human Resources to begin the interactive exchange process.

Benefit (Details):

Herr’s is proud to offer a variety of quality benefits and wellness programs where we have been recognized as a 5-time Well Workplace Award winner in the area! Elective benefits include medical, dental, vision and hearing insurance; long term disability, life insurance, accident, hospital and critical illness indemnity plans, and legal plans. The company also provides opportunities to contribute to a 401k, company profit sharing, vacation, sick and holiday pay; EAP services, and tuition reimbursement. Benefits start the first of the month following 30 days of service (unless otherwise noted in plan description).

Key Responsibilities

Project Collaboration/Management

Manages team responsible for initiating, investigating, and implementing improved formulations, process improvements and cost saving projects.
Manages multiple projects directly and in-directly through team. Demonstrates adaptability to handle multiple projects simultaneously while remaining aware of completion dates and time management.
Manages team responsible for creating, documenting and maintaining all ingredients, raw material and finished product specifications. This includes substantiation for nutrition information and product claims.
Provides Marketing with guidance on labeling and nutrition topics and regulatory requirements including upcoming changes to labeling and regulatory environment.
Manages shelf life and bag size testing and communications. Coordinates collaborative testing and check samples.
Encourages independent, analytical, and creative work efforts of team members including proper procedures, planning and follow-up.
Oversee the design, coordination and testing to evaluate the feasibility, scalability and commercial viability of new culinary & seasoning concepts and products.
Analyzes and problem solves new product development working with other departments. Collaborates with Marketing, Sales, Engineering and Production.
Oversees all pre- & post commercialization flavor and product development—including formula optimization, formula risk assessment, scalability, nutrition fact labels and compliance.
Establishes productive and effective working relationships with internal and external functional groups
Oversees team executing small- and large-scale plant tests.
Responsible for execution of product changes and documentation to meet regulatory mandates, environmental, social and evolving customer needs.
Provides business acumen needed to make key product development decisions and conveys impact of those decisions to team.
Coordinates with third party certification bodies (e.g., kosher, non-GMO, etc.).
Maintains/oversees the general organization and cleaning of the lab, as well as periodic restocking of supplies.

Team Supervision:

Identify appropriate development opportunities for team members, building on the strengths available and complementing skill base as needed.
Leads and positively influences employees towards maximum goal and KPI achievement and employee’s best performance.
Maintains and oversees team results by coaching, counseling, and disciplining employees, planning, monitoring, and appraising job results.
Follows up with team members to drive accountability for action steps and timing to deliver events as needed.
Monitors and oversees staff performance on critical key performance indicators, holding team accountable for optimal service to both internal and external customers.
Demonstrates and fosters a positive work environment consistent with company values and 5Cs.

Innovation:

Maintains knowledge of consumer trends and technical innovations to push forward new ways to bring products to market via process optimizations, new ingredients, or equipment technologies.
Fosters and develops a culture of innovation and continuous learning within the department, encouraging creativity, experimentation, and knowledge sharing.
Assess and implement new product technologies and ingredients resulting from in house exploratory research and through partnering with key vendors and stakeholders.
Supplier Engagement/Customer Focus
Represents flavor capabilities and strategy to vendors and customers as needed.
Utilizes external network resources to address technical and business problems (where appropriate).
Engages with internal and external groups to build relationships with internal teams, suppliers, key customer contacts, operators, and distributors.

In addition to the essential functions listed above, the employee is expected to exercise honesty, integrity and respect with all clients and co-workers, preserve confidentially of all business information and data, maintain a professional appearance and demeanor, demonstrate a positive attitude, communicate effectively with co-workers and clients, work with accuracy, efficiency, and attention to detail, respect the work environment and keep it as environmentally friendly as possible, and exercise initiative to learn new skills and tasks and to help co-workers when possible. Reliable attendance and punctuality are also required. The employee is also expected to perform other related duties, special projects and functions as required from time to time.

Any questions about this position or any others, please contact the Human Resources department at 610-932-6500 or recruitment@herrs.com

Herr Foods Inc. is a drug-free workplace and an equal opportunity employer M/F/Veterans/Disabilities