Position Summary:

The job involves working collaboratively with Ventura’s Culinary, Technical Services, Sales, Marketing, Insights, Project Managment Office, Operations, Quality, and our customers to develop on-trend food products within our core technology areas from benchtop through plant production that help our customers delight their customers. It also involves the development and execution of development-focused research projects to support the growth of our business. This position will lead a team of developers within a Center of Excellence in the organization and be responsible for the daily activies and project work of the team.

Major Duties and Responsibilities:

• Ensure training and development activities are provided to optimize staff skills, conduct performance appraisals, and develop individual objectives for staff.
• Lead and supervise the product development team at a Center of Excellence. Prepare and monitor related departmental budgets. Administer the project work load. Oversee activities of the staff to ensure high quality results and timely completion of all projects within budgetary guidelines.
• Responsible for cultivating business relationships with our Sales, Culinary and Marketing teams and customers.
• Work with and manage the team collaboration with Ventura chefs in the development of new menu concepts and value added finished products.
• Review project request for both operational and economical viability prior to starting product development.
• Technical/PD representation communicating Product Development concerns, issues, requirements and details to our internal partners and customers. Ensure accurate, timely response to inquiries from our customers.
• Work internally with Operations, QA, Engineering on capability requirements and Quality concerns and issues.
• Work internally with Sales and Marketing on new product initiatives.
• Remain current with advances in Sauce and dressing technology and industry needs to provide leadership and technical expertise to ensure productivity and delivery of quality products and services to our National Chain Account Customers.
• May represent Vice President or Director as required at meetings or industry events. May interview and recommend hiring of technical personnel.

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in Food Science or equivalent experience and 10+ years of experience commercializing and launching products is required.
• 3+ years people management including project management and customer interaction experiences is required.
• 3+ years’ experience in any combination of Ventura categories i.e. dressings, sauces, mayonnaise, fats & oils.
• Detailed understanding of the research and the development cycle is required.
• Ability to travel up to 20%.
• Experience launching products into Foodservice is highly desirable.
• Prior experience working in a restaurant is a nice to have.

Knowledge and Skills:

• Broad knowledge of sauces and dressing formulating.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and organizational skills combined with good writing and editing skills.
• Must have general understanding of food codes and regulatory guidelines and the ability to research regulatory matters as needed.
• Must be able to manage projects from bench to commercialization.
• Must possess a basic understanding and knowledge of ingredient interactions.
• Must possess organization, project management and effective written and verbal communication skills are required.
• Must have knowledge of Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint).
• Must have knowledge of lab and pilot processing equipment.
• An understanding of emulsion technology, dry blend technology, flavor development, and the basic science of process technology.