Purpose Statement

Rich Products is looking for a Principal Scientist to join our newly created Innovation Center of Excellence (CoE).

In this role, you will work across a range of innovative R&D projects aimed at bringing new product offerings to market, and new customers to Rich’s.

You will be part of a team that is dedicated to driving Rich’s ambitious innovation agenda and leading adjacent and transformational innovation across diverse categories.

Our ideal candidate will be a self-starter, able to excel in a dynamic work environment, and relish engaging in cross functional team-working.

Ideally, this role will be based at our Global HQ in Buffalo, NY. We will consider remote candidates with the expectation of 50% travel.

Key Accountabilities and Outcomes

• Lead and execute high complexity product and process development from concept through to commercialization, including co-packed, and new technology/capability (including new product platform across multiple product categories and channels). Influence internal and external project teams on project scope and technical research plans. Utilize strong understanding of business strategies, technology, market and competitive landscape, trends, and P&L to meet project success criteria.

• As a subject matter expert, evaluate new ingredients, materials, and process technologies, instrumentation or analytical methods to advance R&D knowledge and translate these technologies into new products or methods. Drive best practice to advance R&D performance.

• Leverage digital, analytical, and statistical technologies to maximize insights from various data sets thereby transforming our approach to product development and risk mitigation globally.

• Collaborate with R&D, Business, Operations, QA stakeholders to prioritize and manage project/initiative to understand the problem to solve then, generate, analyze, interpret data, to deliver, accurate, impactful, and actionable reports and insights within assigned categories.

• Act as a project leader for product/process development and within specific areas of expertise such as food science, technology, processing, chemistry, or engineering.

• Establish project timetables and identify and organize project teams. Coordinate necessary resources, and monitor project progress to ensure successful outcomes.

• Provide guidance and day-to-day supervision to members on the project team.

• Mentor associates within the R&D department by sharing technical knowledge and expertise and providing necessary training.

• Propose new or innovative methods for using technology to resolve problems.

• Prepare and edit reports and regular updates, providing concise summaries of project work. Present project results and recommendations to various audiences including R&D associates, other RPC staff and interested external groups.

• Seek centers of expertise or technology, inside and outside of Rich Products Corporation, which may provide beneficial knowledge related to research activities. Communicates and shares expertise with others.

• Represent the company with outside vendors, suppliers, universities, associations and governmental agencies. Maintains confidentiality of proprietary information.

• Perform related responsibilities, as needed, to support Rich Products Corporation's business objectives.

Knowledge, Skills, and Experience

• Bachelor’s Degree in Food Science, Chemical/Food/Biological/Mechanical Engineering or related field with 10 years food product and/or process development and project management experience from concept through commercialization.

OR M.S. Food Science, Chemical/Food/Biological / Mechanical engineering or related fields with 8 years food product and/or process development and project management from concept through commercialization.

OR PhD Food Science, Chemical/Food/Biological/Mechanical Engineer or related field with 7 years’ food product and/or process development and project management from concept through commercialization.

• Proven track record of independently achieved accomplishments in product development and innovation, and technological conceptualization.

• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills, including adeptness in presentations.

• Ability to thrive and excel in fast-paced work environments.

• Demonstrated capacity to influence and lead teams effectively.

• Proficiency in planning, organizing, and conducting theoretical or applied scientific research, contributing valuable technical knowledge and expertise for the commercialization and expansion of existing RPC business platforms.

• Expertise in analyzing research data and preparing detailed reports and presentations for R&D management and other key stakeholders.

• Expertise in mentoring associates within the R&D department by sharing technical knowledge and expertise and providing the necessary training. May have limited supervisory responsibilities.

• Solid PC proficiency, including Excel, Word, PowerPoint, database management, statistical software, and the ability to create spreadsheets, conduct computer analysis, and write reports. Proficient with relevant software tools (e.g., PLM).

• Frequent interface with various internal and external groups within the industry.

 

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