Commercialization Manager

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This scientifically-validated behavioral assessment can be used to identify opportunities for selection and development.

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DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITY

This is the experienced level Food Scientist position with robust scale-up and commercialization experience. The employee will be responsible for the management and maintenance of the Kagome R&D Commercialization process. Considerable independent judgment is required to carry out assignments that have significant impact on services or programs. Guidelines may be available but require adaptation or interpretation to determine appropriate courses of action.

Job Duty Notes:

The job duties listed are typical examples of the work performed by positions in this job classification. Not all duties assigned to every position are included, nor is it expected that all positions will be assigned to every duty.

Responsibilities:

• Lead the commercialization of new products, line extensions, graphic changes, and discontinuation projects.

• Maintain and be the subject matter expert of the Kagome PLM system.

• Develop strong relationships with suppliers and manufacturing partners, leveraging them to implement solutions, as needed.

• Collaborate with Quality Assurance and Operations Teams to troubleshoot, conduct root cause analyses, and implement solutions to optimize manufacturing product quality or technical issues.

• Identify commercialization gaps and solutions for future business growth including identifying new manufacturing partners and equipment needs.

• Provides technical support/guidance and informs on product/process feasibility.

• Continuous Improvement & formulation optimization, as require

• New ingredient sourcing, evaluation, costing, qualification, and specification, as needed.

• Submission and filing of thermal process documents to internal and external regulatory groups, as needed.

• Development of Product & Ingredient Specifications and Manufacturing Standard Procedures, as required.

• Oversight of R&D Data & Systems Administrator in the management of R&D functions in the ERP/PLM system and new product information flow from R&D to Operations

• Lead the management of plant trials and product commercialization at all facilities as well as Co-Packers, in partnership with Kagome R&D Manager and Food Scientists

• Other duties as assigned by Management.

External & Internal Relationships

• Works collaboratively with the Global Foodservice Project Managers to launch new products

• Develop and maintain relationships with Internal & External Operations and QA groups

• Develop and maintain relationships with Marketing and Sales groups.

• Provide technical support to customers regarding Kagome products

Other Duties and Responsibilities

• Provide technical guidance to other food scientists, laboratory technicians, pilot plant, and operations personnel

• Keep abreast of new industry technologies and recommend for consideration where appropriate

• Other duties as assigned by Management.

POSITION DIMENSIONS AND QUALIFICATIONS:

Internal Contacts:

All Kagome departments.

External Contacts:

Customers, Regulatory officers, Material Suppliers, Vendors.

Education Level:

Bachelor's degree in Food Science or related field. Master's Degree, a plus.

Years and Type of Related Experience Required:

A Minimum 5 years' experience in R&D, specifically Product Development.

Culinary and supervisory experience is an added benefit.

Experience with ProductVision PLM and/or JustFood ERP, a plus.

SKILLS AND ABILITIES

Uphold Kagome's Values:

Employee works well with others as a team and treats others with respect. Conducts self in a professional manner and exhibits the highest level of integrity. Maintains a positive attitude through good working relationships with our customers, visitors, and co-workers that emphasizes our commitment to good customer service.

Employee Retention:

Build a culture employees and/or co-workers want to be a part of. Be helpful to others and work as a team toward company goals. Participate in an exceptional onboarding experience for new hires and ensure they have the necessary tools to succeed in their roles by welcoming and assisting them. Build employee engagement, recognize and reward employees, provide avenues for professional development, and manage to retain.

Interpersonal and Communication:

Demonstrate ability to communicate well and to effectively influence and interact with others to accomplish research goals.

Must have proficient technical and business writing skills as well as professional communication skills, both written and oral.

Directly interfaces with customers, suppliers, and internal company departments.

Technical and Analytical:

Analytical, Chemical and microbiological knowledge and experience in formulation, laboratory, sensory analysis techniques/methods.

Administrative and Operations:

Organize job responsibilities to complete work on a timely basis.

Computer Skill using various software used for product development.

Travel Requirements:

Must be able to travel within the US & internationally to visit customer sites and Kagome facilities.

Physical Demands:

Sitting at a computer terminal, standing, and walking for long periods of time.

Work Environment:

Working in both an office environment and food technology lab with moderate noise levels. May be exposed to some food related chemicals. In plant will be exposed to food processing environment with changes in temperatures, damp conditions. Some lifting and prolonged standing required. This is a Safety Sensitive position.

Special Equipment Used:

A valid driver's license will be required. Laboratory analytical equipment.

Kitchen and pilot plant equipment.

Personal computer (specific experience with Excel, Word & PowerPoint) General office equipment; fax, copier, phone etc…

• Lead the commercialization of new products, line extensions, graphic changes, and discontinuation projects.

• Travel to internal and co-packer manufacturing facilities to support pilot runs and product launches.

• Develop strong relationships with suppliers and manufacturing partners, leveraging them to implement solutions, as needed.

• Collaborate with Quality Assurance and Operations Teams to troubleshoot, conduct root cause analyses, and implement solutions to optimize manufacturing product quality or technical issues.

• Identify commercialization gaps and solutions for future business growth including identifying new manufacturing partners and equipment needs.

• Continuously improve the commercialization process

• Provides technical support/guidance and informs on product/process feasibility.

• Continuous Improvement & formulation changes, as required.

• New ingredient sourcing, evaluation, costing, qualification and specification, as needed.

• Cost estimates throughout process & cost reduction of existing products.

• Submission and Filing of thermal process documents to internal and external regulatory groups, as needed.

• Development of Product Specifications and Manufacturing Standard Procedures, as required.

• Development of Ingredient Specifications as required.

• Oversight of R&D Data & Systems Administrator in the management of R&D functions in the ERP/PLM system and new product information flow from R&D to Operations

• Lead the management of plant trials and product commercialization at all facilities as well as Co-Packers, in partnership with Kagome R&D Manager and Food Scientists

• Development of packaging materials (label/fiber graphics) with Operations and Regulatory, as required.

External & Internal Relationships

• Develop and maintain relationships with Internal & External Operations and QA groups

• Develop and maintain relationships with Marketing and Sales groups.

• Visit customers and vendors, on an as needed basis, with or without sales.

• Provide technical support to customers regarding Kagome products

Other Duties and Responsibilities

• Provide technical guidance to other food scientists, laboratory technicians, pilot plant, and operations personnel

• Keep abreast of new industry technologies and recommend for consideration where appropriate

• Supports Culinary Development as required.

• Other duties as assigned by Management.