Research and Development Associate jobs in Waukegan, IL

THE COMPANY

Website: www.nielsenmassey.com Job Description

Nielsen-Massey is a leader in the specialty foods world, specifically in the production and marketing of the world’s finest vanillas and flavors. The company operates a branded consumer goods business (CPG/B2C) as well as a business-to-business (B2B) ingredient and flavor business. The portfolio includes various forms of pure and natural vanilla ingredients, extracts, pastes, and powders plus other flavor extracts to include lemon, almond, chocolate, coffee, peppermint, and rosewater to wholesale, culinary, and industrial customers throughout the world. The global headquarters and state-of-the-art production facility are in Waukegan, Illinois, with an additional plant in the Netherlands. The brand is well established with culinary professionals and big branded players as the premiere vanilla brand in the marketplace while the next phase of growth will come from expanding the brand to a broader base of consumers via an aggressive retail and eCommerce strategy as well as diversifying and expanding the ingredient and flavor business.

Nielsen-Massey Vanillas (NMV) was founded in 1907 and is still owned by three members of the Nielsen family, who work as senior executives at the company. The fiduciary Board is composed of independent directors as well as the three family shareholders. The four independent members all have CEO experience in a variety of industries, including CPG, eCommerce, and Industrial/ Manufacturing.

The Company is committed to sustaining the plants, people and communities that supply their ingredients. Since 1907, NMV has demonstrated its commitment to civic and social responsibility. The company’s Community Relations initiatives encompass three main objectives: building relationships with the communities in which they live and work; showing their commitment through financial contributions to charities in support of education, youth, veterans, and the environment, actively promoting volunteer service among their employees - and demonstrating as a team that they make a difference.

NMV supports approximately 18 organizations that represent their mission-driven values. They published their first annual “Sustainability and Corporate Social Responsibilities Report” in 2018. Some past ESG programs include the funding of a new Malagasy school and the construction of a solar-powered water pump in the Madagascar Village that grows Nielsen-Massey’s fair-trade vanilla.

In 2009, The Nielsen-Massey Foundation was created with a mission to assist disadvantaged children and adults with education and leadership development, especially in the field of culinary arts. The Foundation also considers requests for assistance in the development of sustainable environmental practices or for programs benefiting people in countries of need. The Foundation’s board of directors consists of Craig, Beth and Matt Nielsen, third-generation owners of Nielsen-Massey Vanillas, and their mother, Camilla.

Throughout its more than 115-year history as a family business, NMV is proudly and fully committed to the ethical way it conducts business, including how employees and customers are treated. As a company, NMV remains committed to honesty and integrity, as well as openness and respect for the rights and interests of its employees. Employees are “treated like family” with generous health care benefits.

OPPORTUNITY

Position: Global Research and Development Director

Reports to: Global VP of Innovation, Quality and Compliance

Location: Waukegan, Illinois, about 40 miles north of Chicago’s Loop

Position Summary:

This position is responsible for establishing and leading a global research and development team in Waukegan, IL USA. The Global Research and Development Director will provide technical leadership for the organization and serve as a technical business partner and expert to all cross-functional teams. They will help drive and accelerate our product offerings by executing global and regional strategic technical initiatives in alignment with our long-range and annual operating plans.

Key Responsibilities: Core duties and responsibilities include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

• Reports directly to the Global Vice President of Innovation, Quality, and Compliance
• Develops and leads the new NMV R&D Team
• Serves as the internal champion for all Research projects, including initiative-taking and breakthrough technology projects.
• Enables, executes, and communicates the strategies supporting the NMV Annual Operating Plan (AOP) and the evolving Long-Range Plan (LRP).
• Champions and owns NMV food science, product application, and sensory capabilities. Ensures consistent integration and application of consumer insights, culinary and sensory capabilities into R&D processes and best practices.
• Acts as a role model for NMV Values and Quality Absolutes. Shapes future positive behaviors and culture through listening and acting with integrity, curiosity, and compassion.
• Communicates all relevant matters pertaining to R&D; encompassing all projects, activities and the commercialization of all products developed. Key partner in managing all proper elements of the NMV Stage Gate process.
• Leverages technology platforms to drive R&D process efficiency, metrics visibility and data analytics across Stage Gate, Product Lifecycle Management, and internal technical data.
• Prepares annual budgets, strategic plans, estimates, forecasts, statistics, analysis, and financial information in conjunction with ongoing business requirements, priorities, policies, and procedures related to the global NMV business and R&D Group. Develops, implements, and monitors functional metrics and goals.
• Identifies promising areas of research or technology addressing unmet needs, in conjunction with Sales, Marketing, Quality, Operations, Culinary outreach, and customer product development groups.
• Continually contributes to company profitability by initiating, recommending, and implementing continuous improvement strategies and cost saving initiatives (ICING projects). Maximizes R&D impact to the P&L to meet/exceed profitability goals.
• Develops and implements capital expenditures as related to R&D projects.
• Delivers internal and external technical capability, project, and department presentations. Communicates effectively with internal and external personnel at all levels, always representing NMV in a professional manner.
• Liaises and collaborates with staff at all levels on matters pertaining to R&D: food safety, regulatory issues, technical coordination, good manufacturing practices, continuous improvement, sales support, and customer service.
• Develops and engages key professional partnerships, such as industry associations, supplier and customer experts, and academia.
• Oversees the NMV R&D Organization Plan, Performance Appraisal Process and Performance Rating System.
• Leads, implements, and follows all security policies; responsible for maintaining and enhancing the security of all information regarding product formulas and related confidential information.
• Supports harmonization and simplification of US and International R&D and technical business processes to maximize efficiency, profitability, and consistency across NMV.

Personal Characteristics:

• Intellectual

• Interpersonal
  • Customer Service - Manages difficult or emotional internal and/or external customer issues. Responds promptly to customer needs. Solicits customer feedback to improve service; Responds to requests for service and assistance; Meets commitments.
  • External Working Relationships – Develops and maintains courteous and effective working relationships with clients, vendors and/or any other representatives of external organizations.
• Leadership
  • Change Management - Develops workable implementation plans; Communicates changes effectively; Builds commitment and overcomes resistance; Prepares and supports those affected by change; Monitors transition and evaluates results.
  • Delegation - Delegates work assignments; Matches the responsibility to the person; Gives authority to work independently; Sets expectations and monitors delegated activities; Provides recognition for results.
  • Managing People - Includes staff in planning, decision-making, facilitating and process improvement; Takes responsibility for subordinates' activities; Makes self-available to staff; Provides regular performance feedback; Develops subordinates' skills and encourages growth; Solicits and applies customer feedback (internal and external); Fosters quality focus in others; Improves processes, products and services.; Continually works to improve supervisory skills.
• Organization
  • Business Acumen - Demonstrates knowledge of market and competition; Aligns work with strategic goals; Analyzes market and completion and adapts strategy to changing conditions.
  • Cost Consciousness - Works within approved budget; Develops and implements cost saving measures.
  • Business Necessity – The needs of the employer may be dependent on responding to and anticipating rapidly changing external and internal demands in all aspects of how business is conducted. This may include, but is not limited to, organization structure, finances goals, personnel, work processes, technology, and customer demands. Accordingly, the employees must be capable of adapting, with minimal or no advance notice, to changes in how business is conducted, and work is accomplished, with no diminishment in work performance.
  • Safety and Security –All employees are responsible for observing safety and security procedures as applicable and reporting potentially unsafe conditions to management.

Knowledge and Characteristics:

MUSTS:

• Education and or Experience: MS degree in technical sciences (preferred) and at least 10 years of experience in Food/Beverage/Flavor R&D management, or BA/BS degree in technical sciences (Microbiology, Chemistry, Food Science, Nutrition, or similar) and ten (15) years of experience in R&D systems implementation and management.
• Extensive supervisory/management experience in product development.
• Language Skills: Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. Ability to author routine reports and correspondence. Ability to speak effectively before groups of customers or employees of the organization.
• Computer Skills - Should have knowledge of: Database Software (Access); Manufacturing Software; Spreadsheet Software (Excel); Contract Management Systems; Inventory Software; Order Processing Systems; Project Management Software; Word Processing Software (Word); Electronic Mail Software (Outlook); Presentation Software (PowerPoint); and Publisher software.
• Attendance - Must be punctual and prompt in meeting all requirements of performance, including, but not limited to, attendance standards and work deadlines; beginning and ending assignments on time; and scheduled work breaks; where applicable.
• Physical Demands - The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel and talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to stand and walk.
• The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

• Work Environment: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

WANTS:

• Experience in a family or privately held business.