Purpose and Scope/General Summary: R&D Director of Branded Products role will be responsible for leading with vision and ownership a team of product developers for Pilgrim’s as it relates to innovative product design, product improvement, customer engagement to support sales, and improved manufacturing efficiency of poultry products. Leadership of this team will span product development across multiple channels including Retail and Foodservice for Branded Product Development and will collaborate closely with many cross functional team members to ensure Research and Development efforts are aligned with the company’s overall strategies.

The ideal candidate will have a strong background in the development and commercialization of food products and in team leadership and talent development.

Responsibilities:

Lead, mentor, and develop a team of Food Technologists to create new products through best-in-class commercialization processes and data management processes, servicing Pilgrim’s retail and foodservice businesses.

Drive a culture of innovative product development, entrepreneurial spirit, and internal/external customer service.

Collaborate with Sales, Marketing, Business Development, Operations, FSQA, and Customer teams to identify and execute product growth and optimization opportunities.

Develop and implement the research and development strategy in line with company business revenue growth and margin objectives.

Generate new ideas for products through advanced technology and optimized processes.

Oversee product development commercialization process from concept to post-launch.

Manage deadlines, milestone achievements, and resource prioritization for research and development relative to business objectives.

Evaluate the performance of new products, processes, or services after launch and optimize as necessary.

Other duties as assigned

Qualifications:

Strong ability to collaborate with operations and FSQA.

Proven experience with innovative product development, showing creativity in commercialized products and processes.

Strong track record of leading multidisciplinary development teams

Strong technical understanding of product development

Excellent communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills

Strategic thinker with both big-picture vision and detail-oriented action

Proven leadership efforts which have motivated and engaged team members to work towards company values and goals.

Strong business acumen with the ability to think strategically, influence key decisions and prioritize deliverables.

Flexibility/interest in taking on diversified responsibilities as we grow our business.

10+ years’ experience in research and development and/or commercialization within food industry, with 5+ years in a leadership role

Ability to travel up to 50% of the time to customers, plants, etc.

Meat/poultry industry experience, preferred.

Experience servicing food service customers, preferred.

Experience with project management software, such as SAP, Accolade, Qlik preferred.

Can perform the functions of the job with or without a reasonable accommodation

As a salaried position with the company, you may be required to travel at some point to other facilities, to attend Company events, or as a representative of the Company in other situations. Unless otherwise specified in this posting, the amount of travel may vary and the most qualified candidate must be willing and able to travel as business needs dictate.

The applicant who fills this position will be eligible for the following compensation and benefits:

Benefits: Vision, Medical, and Dental coverage begin after 60 days of employment;

Paid Time Off: sick leave, vacation, and 6 company observed holidays;

401(k): company match begins after the first year of service and follows the company vesting schedule;

Base salary range of $150,000 - $170,000; and

Incentive Pay: This position is eligible to participate in the Company’s annual bonus plan, the amount of bonus varies and is subject to the standard terms and conditions of the incentive program;

For individuals assigned and/or hired to work in states where it is required by law to include a reasonable estimate of the compensation for any given position, compensation ranges are specific to those states and takes into account various factors that are considered in making compensation decisions, including but not limited to a candidate’s relevant experience, qualifications, skills, competencies, and proficiencies for the role.

This position does not have an application deadline. We will continue to recruit until the position has been filled.

The Company is dedicated to ensuring a safe and secure environment for our team members and visitors. To assist in achieving that goal, we conduct a drug, alcohol, and background checks for all new team members post-offer and prior to the start of employment. The Immigration Reform and Control Act requires that verification of employment eligibility be documented for all new employees by the end of the third day of work.

About us: Pilgrim’s is the second largest chicken producer in the world, with operations in the U.S., Puerto Rico, Mexico and the U.K. Pilgrim’s processes, prepares, packages and delivers fresh, further-processed and value-added poultry products for sale to customers in more than 100 countries, employs more than 50,000 people and contracts with more than 5,200 family farmers. Pilgrim’s is headquartered in beautiful Greeley, Colorado, at the JBS USA corporate office where our 1,200 employees enjoy more than 300 days of sunshine a year.

Our mission: To be the best in all that we do, completely focused on our business, ensuring the best products and services to our customers, a relationship of trust with our suppliers, profitability for our shareholders and the opportunity of a better future for all of our team members.

Pilgrim's

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R&D DIRECTOR OF BRANDED PRODUCTS