Salm Partners, LLC

Job Description

Job Title: R&D DirectorReports To: COO

Department: Technical ServicesStatus: Exempt

SUMMARY

Oversees Research & Development activities and responsibilities, and conducts new product research and development for the organization in compliance withsafety, food safety andquality policies, SQF, GMP, and USDA-FSIS regulations.

Essential duties and responsibilities include the following:

  • Oversee the Research & Development activities, procedures and processes.
  • Work with the executive team in identifying potential new markets and new customers.
  • Work directly with customers to identify new product features and specifications.
  • DirectR&D project activity, developing new product formulas and product specifications.
  • Coordinate trials with Operations personnel to minimize impact on production.
  • Oversee the creation of product specifications and process development.
  • With Supply Chain personnel, evaluate potential new ingredients and packaging suppliers to ensure they meet the customer requirements for raw material supplies, and ensure vendor compliance with quality through a Vendor Review program.
  • Manage the label approval process, including content, layout, what claims to be included, USDA & generic approval.
  • Provide direction and technical oversight with the preparation and management of product label submissions to the USDA for approval.
  • Once label approval has been received, communicate and provide specification information to Supply Chain personnel to transfer into production.
  • Ensure compliance with all aspects of SQF and customer-specific standards.
  • Provide Key Performance Indicator (KPI) updates to the leadership team on a regular basis.
  • Provide product information for inclusion in Operational Parameters for process control for production.
  • Maintain a current working knowledge of government regulatory and industry quality codes and standards.
  • Provide backup assistance to the R&D Technician as needed..
  • Support the Lean Manufacturing and Continuous Improvement initiatives of the company.
  • Perform all other duties and special projects as assigned.

Supervisory Responsibilities

This position directlysupervises the activities of the R&D Technician in the performance of their daily activities,carrying out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization's policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring, and training; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining; addressing complaints and resolving work issues.

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.Must demonstrate a strong work ethic, uncompromising honesty and trustworthiness, and personal and professional integrity, maintaining utmost confidentiality of highly sensitive proprietary information.

Education and/or Experience

A minimum of a Master's degree in Food Science, Quality, Microbiology, or related field is required; a PhD preferred. 3-7years experience in a similar role. While having such experience in a USDA-regulated food manufacturing environment in ready-to-eat-meats is not required,it would be helpful. Previous experience with the USDA-FSIS label approval process is preferred. Extensive understanding of meat processing and knowledge of USDA-FSIS regulations as they pertain to fully cooked meat & poultry sausage product is required. Previous experience with process improvement activities and documentation is also required. Thorough understanding of USDA regulations and standards, food safety and product formulations is required.

Communication Skills

Must have excellent verbal, written and interpersonal communication skills. Must have the ability to read, analyzes, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations, the ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals, and the ability to effectively present information to large groups of employees and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, and customers.

Computer Skills

Must have a high level of computer proficiency in a Windows environment, preferably with Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and the Internet. Previous experience with MAS500 or related ERP/MRP integrated manufacturing software is strongly preferred. Must have the ability to learn new software as needed.

Mathematical Skills

Must possess the ability to work with mathematical concepts such as probability and statistical inference, and fundamentals of plane and solid geometry and trigonometry, and the ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations.

Reasoning Ability

Must have the ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists, and the ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form. Must possess strong troubleshooting/problem solving skills and exhibit strong judgment and decision-making skills.

Physical Demands

While performing the duties of this job, the partner is frequently required to stand; walk and talk or hear. The partner is frequently required to sit and use hands to finger, handle, or feel. The partner must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision and color vision.

Work Environment

The Director of R&D works in office and production work environments. The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an encounteredwhile performing the essential functions of this job. There is a wide variation of temperatures ranging from 35° F to 100° F in the various production work areas. The production work environment is wet and slippery most times. Partners are required to wear frocks, hairnets, hearing protection, and slip-resistant footwear at all times on the production floor, including the test kitchen, coolers and warehouse. The noise level in the office work environment is low, and in the production work environment is usually loud.

Please Contact Gerald Lessard (COO), 920.863.5559, for more information.

Job Description: R&D Director

REV 12/2014