R&D Senior Supervisor -Product Application & Innovation

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.