About this role
- Job Purpose and Impact The R&D Senior Supervisor- Product Application will provide laboratory and pilot plant application support related to product development projects.
- In this role, you will design and conduct trials, evaluate and report accurately and partner closely with technical services in alignment with the designated business strategy.
- Key Accountabilities Identify customer pain points, unmet needs, and business opportunities through customer engagement, market observation, and collaboration with Commercial and M&I teams.
- Translate customer needs, consumer insights, and market trends into innovative product concepts, prototypes, and application solutions.
- Lead application and innovation projects from concept generation through prototype development, validation, customer presentation, and commercialization.
- Provide technical leadership in product formulation, processing optimization, and customer-focused solution development.
- Build and maintain a pipeline of innovation opportunities aligned with strategic growth platforms and customer priorities.
- Partner cross-functionally with Commercial, M&I, Operations, Supply Chain, and customers to deliver differentiated value-added solutions.
- Monitor industry, consumer, and competitive trends to proactively identify new business and innovation opportunities.
- Other duties as assigned Qualifications
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Food Technology, Meat Science, Culinary Science, or a related field.
- Minimum 5-7 years of experience in Product Development, Product Application, Food Innovation, or related functions within food manufacturing, foodservice, QSR, or ingredient industries.
- Knowledge of food formulation, processing technologies, and product commercialization.
- Experience in developing and conducting laboratory, pilot plant, and manufacturing trials.
- Ability to translate customer needs, market trends, and consumer insights into product concepts and prototypes.
- Strong project management and problem-solving skills with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
- Experience working cross-functionally with Commercial, Marketing, Operations, Supply Chain, and customers.
- Strong communication and presentation skills with the ability to influence both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
- Proficiency in English communication, both written and spoken.
Willingness to travel for customer visits, plant trials, and market exploration.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Food Technology, Meat Science, Business, or related field.
- Experience in poultry, coating systems, further processing, ready-to-eat, or foodservice applications.
- Experience supporting QSR, Foodservice, Retail, or Convenience Store customers.
- Knowledge of consumer insights, design thinking, JTBD (Jobs-to-be-Done), or innovation methodologies.
- Demonstrated track record of creating new product concepts that have been successfully commercialized.