At Wayne Farms, our recipe for success begins with the highest-quality ingredients: our employees. Each one plays a critical role in creating our professional, collaborative environment and contributing to our success as the most technically advanced producers of superior poultry products. We are one of the world’s largest vertically integrated poultry producers with our corporate headquarters in Oakwood, GA (North of Atlanta) and locations throughout the Southeast. We continue to lead our industry in quality while consistently exceeding expectations by our commitment to being partners of choice with our employees, customers, and communities. Our growth is your opportunity.
[Primary Function]
Leads all activities within the Research & Development department to include driving cultural change within R&D from a reactive, customer request culture to a proactive culture that develops and presents new ideas & concepts to customers.
[Responsibilities and Tasks]
The Director of Research & Development is responsible for executive level management, strategy and direction of Wayne Farms LLCs research and development initiatives.
Duties include but are not limited to:
- Provides overall direction of R&D projects including scope, purpose, customer relationships and new concepts management.
- Assures appropriate project assignment, monitoring and follow up.
- Participates in the development of products and processes.
- Effectively interacts with other departments and organizations such as QA, Operations, Sales and Marketing, and Finance..
- Works to build and maintain effective relationships with customers and suppliers.
- Actively seeks and drives new product opportunities.
- Assures appropriate performance measurement of R&D Department staff. Develops measurable goals for individual team members and the department as a whole that are tied back to the overall strategic business plan.
- Researches new technologies, food trends and microbiological issues, to ensure company knowledge/compliance.
- Provide guidance and prioritization leadership with R&D team on NPIs, responding to customer requests, sample/prototype development, etc.
- Directly or indirectly manages Product Development Manager, Project Leaders, Lab Coordinator, and Food Technologists.
[Minimum Skill Levels and Work Experience]
- 9-12 years relevant experience in related field of Research & Development.
- 5-7 years experience managing 2 or more employees.
- Knowledge of cook operations, thermodynamics, food processing, SPC, Microbiology.
- Experience working with a wide variety of customers such as: Retail, Food Service, Restaurant Chain and Industrial Clients.
- Current knowledge and/or experience of marketplace information (technology, customer base, market segments, menu flavor tends, raw material utilization, etc).
- Knowledge of Culinary Arts and casual dining trends.
- Ability to lead product specification development within commercialization process.
- Demonstrated success in project monitoring, follow up and closure.
- Strong proactive customer service orientation.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills. High level of interpersonal skills.
- High level of skills in mentoring and staff development. Demonstrated high level of drive and passion for success.
- Demonstrated proven success in hiring and retaining qualified individuals in a Research & Development environment.
- Ability to communicate, as well as apply, both scientific & business knowledge effectively within the Research and Development group, organization wide and with customers.
[Preferred Skill Levels and Work Experience]
- Masters or Ph.D. level education preferred.
- R&D knowledge of other protein products highly desired.
We seek to hire professionals who add value each day, guide their decisions legally, ethically, and in line with company policy. In return, Wayne Farms is committed to enhancing our employeesquality of life by delivering a great work environment, competitive pay, professional development, and an industry leading benefits package including: medica, dental, and eye-care insurance, employer-matched 401(k), disability income protection, life insurance, flex spending accounts, retirement plan, professional training, and tuition reimbursement. If youre interested in this opportunity to join a growing and prosperous company, submit your resume online today!
NOTE: To all recruitment agencies: Wayne Farms does not accept agency resumes. Please do not forward resumes to our jobs alias, Wayne Farms employees or any other company location. Wayne Farms is not responsible for any fees related to unsolicited resumes.
To Apply for this position, please CLICK HERE
Location: Oakwood, GA
Compensation: Competitive
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