Vice President Research & Development
Apply NowCompany: Barr Brands International
Location: Memphis, TN 38109
Description:
Ready to spearhead innovation and drive growth? As the VP of Research and Development, you'll take the helm of our R&D, Packaging, and Consumer Care teams, reporting directly to the VP of Brand Marketing & Innovation. Your mission? Partnering closely with senior leadership and key commercial and marketing heads to ignite innovation and fuel expansion. Your expertise will be pivotal in identifying, prioritizing, and managing innovation streams to deliver cutting-edge products and support existing ones. As the technical guru of the organization, you'll lead the charge, serving as a strategic partner and expert for all cross-functional teams. Get ready to accelerate our product offerings and execute game-changing initiatives in line with our long-range and annual plans. Join us at the forefront of innovation and make your mark on our success story!
Critical Contributions:
Champion and Drive Innovation - Serve as the internal advocate for all innovation projects, rallying teams to push boundaries and achieve breakthroughs. Lead R&D innovation efforts across the WM Barr portfolio, from New Product Innovation to Life Cycle Management, ensuring we stay ahead of the curve.
Initiate Excellence - Design and implement game-changing R&D initiatives that elevate product quality, streamline project prioritization, and craft strategic technical roadmaps. This includes embedding consumer insights into R&D practices, ensuring our products resonate with our audience and stand out in the market.
Identify Opportunities - Collaborate with sales, marketing, and other teams to identify promising research areas and technological advancements, keeping us at the forefront of innovation.
Communicate Effectively - Present internal and external technical capabilities, projects, and departmental updates with confidence and clarity. Keep stakeholders informed on all R&D matters, from project updates to product commercialization, fostering transparency and alignment.
Collaborate and Forge Partnerships - Engage with stakeholders at all levels on various R&D-related matters, fostering collaboration and alignment across safety, regulatory, technical, and sales domains. Cultivate key professional partnerships with industry associations, suppliers, and customers, leveraging expertise and insights for mutual success.
Ensure Security - Uphold security policies to safeguard product formulas and confidential information, maintaining trust and integrity in all dealings.
Maximize Impact and Lead Cost Savings - Optimize R&D's contribution to the bottom line, surpassing profitability targets and delivering tangible results. Spearhead cost-saving initiatives while refining R&D processes to fast-track pipeline development and execution.
Strategize Financials - Develop and oversee annual budgets, strategic plans, and financial metrics for the R&D department, driving accountability and performance. Drive capital expenditure decisions related to R&D projects, ensuring optimal resource allocation and ROI.
Drive Harmonization - Streamline R&D and technical processes to enhance efficiency, profitability, and consistency across WM Barr, ensuring we operate at peak performance.
Lead a Dynamic Team - Set clear, challenging goals and provide coaching to foster a collaborative environment. Establish a compelling vision to inspire innovation and drive success.
Promote Accountability and Growth - Cultivate accountability and ownership while celebrating successes. Encourage professional development and empower team members to innovate and adapt to change.
Lead by Example with Integrity - Lead with integrity and professionalism, serving as a role model for the team. Foster a culture of continuous improvement and resilience in the face of challenges.
Talent Profile:
Education
o Ph.D. or equivalent in a targeted technical discipline or desired science field, showcasing deep expertise and mastery in your area of specialization. In addition, possess a BA/BS degree in technical sciences such as Microbiology or Chemistry, demonstrating a strong foundation in key scientific principles.
Experience
o Bring at least 15 years of hands-on experience in implementing and managing R&D systems, with a focus on driving innovation and growth in the CPG/food and beverage industry.
o Demonstrate a history of success in product and package development, with a track record of leading high-performing R&D teams to commercialize groundbreaking products.
Expertise / Capabilities
o Showcase in-depth knowledge of polymers and related manufacturing processes, enabling strategic decision-making and innovative solutions.
o Leverage solid project management skills rooted in established industrial practices to drive projects forward efficiently and effectively.
o Exhibit strong leadership and people management skills, with a knack for nurturing talent and fostering a culture of excellence and collaboration within the team.
o Exhibit a talent for developing new capabilities and driving innovative ways of working across diverse stakeholders, positioning the organization for future success.
o Possess strong commercialization skills, with a sharp ability to prioritize, simplify, problem-solve, and execute with excellence to deliver tangible business results.
Critical Contributions:
Champion and Drive Innovation - Serve as the internal advocate for all innovation projects, rallying teams to push boundaries and achieve breakthroughs. Lead R&D innovation efforts across the WM Barr portfolio, from New Product Innovation to Life Cycle Management, ensuring we stay ahead of the curve.
Initiate Excellence - Design and implement game-changing R&D initiatives that elevate product quality, streamline project prioritization, and craft strategic technical roadmaps. This includes embedding consumer insights into R&D practices, ensuring our products resonate with our audience and stand out in the market.
Identify Opportunities - Collaborate with sales, marketing, and other teams to identify promising research areas and technological advancements, keeping us at the forefront of innovation.
Communicate Effectively - Present internal and external technical capabilities, projects, and departmental updates with confidence and clarity. Keep stakeholders informed on all R&D matters, from project updates to product commercialization, fostering transparency and alignment.
Collaborate and Forge Partnerships - Engage with stakeholders at all levels on various R&D-related matters, fostering collaboration and alignment across safety, regulatory, technical, and sales domains. Cultivate key professional partnerships with industry associations, suppliers, and customers, leveraging expertise and insights for mutual success.
Ensure Security - Uphold security policies to safeguard product formulas and confidential information, maintaining trust and integrity in all dealings.
Maximize Impact and Lead Cost Savings - Optimize R&D's contribution to the bottom line, surpassing profitability targets and delivering tangible results. Spearhead cost-saving initiatives while refining R&D processes to fast-track pipeline development and execution.
Strategize Financials - Develop and oversee annual budgets, strategic plans, and financial metrics for the R&D department, driving accountability and performance. Drive capital expenditure decisions related to R&D projects, ensuring optimal resource allocation and ROI.
Drive Harmonization - Streamline R&D and technical processes to enhance efficiency, profitability, and consistency across WM Barr, ensuring we operate at peak performance.
Lead a Dynamic Team - Set clear, challenging goals and provide coaching to foster a collaborative environment. Establish a compelling vision to inspire innovation and drive success.
Promote Accountability and Growth - Cultivate accountability and ownership while celebrating successes. Encourage professional development and empower team members to innovate and adapt to change.
Lead by Example with Integrity - Lead with integrity and professionalism, serving as a role model for the team. Foster a culture of continuous improvement and resilience in the face of challenges.
Talent Profile:
Education
o Ph.D. or equivalent in a targeted technical discipline or desired science field, showcasing deep expertise and mastery in your area of specialization. In addition, possess a BA/BS degree in technical sciences such as Microbiology or Chemistry, demonstrating a strong foundation in key scientific principles.
Experience
o Bring at least 15 years of hands-on experience in implementing and managing R&D systems, with a focus on driving innovation and growth in the CPG/food and beverage industry.
o Demonstrate a history of success in product and package development, with a track record of leading high-performing R&D teams to commercialize groundbreaking products.
Expertise / Capabilities
o Showcase in-depth knowledge of polymers and related manufacturing processes, enabling strategic decision-making and innovative solutions.
o Leverage solid project management skills rooted in established industrial practices to drive projects forward efficiently and effectively.
o Exhibit strong leadership and people management skills, with a knack for nurturing talent and fostering a culture of excellence and collaboration within the team.
o Exhibit a talent for developing new capabilities and driving innovative ways of working across diverse stakeholders, positioning the organization for future success.
o Possess strong commercialization skills, with a sharp ability to prioritize, simplify, problem-solve, and execute with excellence to deliver tangible business results.