Manager,InternationalR&D/QA-CheeseCategory
Location:Detroit,Michigan(Hybrid,3daysonsite)
RelocationAssistance:Available
TravelRequirement:40-50%internationaltravel,primarilyacrossEuropeandAsia
EmploymentType:Full-Time,DirectHire
AbouttheRole
WeareseekingaManager,InternationalR&D/QA-CheeseCategorytoleadthedevelopment,commercialization,andqualitymanagementofcheeseingredientsthatsupportglobalbusinessgrowth.ReportingtotheDirectorofGlobalFoodSafety&QualityAssurance,thisroleservesasatechnicalleaderwithintheCorporateQualityAssuranceorganizationandpartnerscloselywithcross-functionalteams,suppliers,andmanufacturingpartnersworldwide.
Thispositionfocusesondrivinginnovation,quality,andsuppliercollaborationacrossthecheesecategorywhileensuringproductconsistency,foodsafety,regulatorycompliance,andoperationalexcellenceacrossinternationalmarkets.
WhyThisRoleMatters
Astheorganizationcontinuesitsinternationalexpansionacrossmorethan30countries,thisrolewillprovidededicatedleadershipforthecheesecategorywithparticularemphasisonEuropeandAsia.Thesuccessfulcandidatewillhelpstrengthensupplierpartnerships,improveproductperformance,andsupportstrategicgrowthinitiativesglobally.
Responsibilities
ProductDevelopment&Innovation
- Leadresearchanddevelopmentactivitiesforcheeseingredientsandrelateddairyproducts.
- Serveasasubjectmatterexpertindairyscience,cheesetechnology,andfoodapplications.
- Developandoptimizeformulationstomeetquality,functionality,andbusinessobjectives.
- Supportproductvalidationthroughlaboratorytesting,pilotplanttrials,scale-upproduction,andcommercialization.
- Conductsensoryevaluations,restauranttesting,andshelf-lifestudies.
- Drivecontinuousimprovementinitiativesfocusedonproductperformance,consistency,andquality.
SupplierDevelopment&TechnicalPartnerships
- Managesupplier-basedproductdevelopmentprojectsacrossinternationalmarkets.
- Collaboratewithsuppliersandmanufacturerstoimproveproducts,ingredients,andproductionprocesses.
- Evaluatesuppliercapabilities,manufacturingprocesses,andqualitysystems.
- Providetechnicalleadershipduringproductinvestigations,troubleshootingefforts,andissueresolution.
- Buildandmaintainstrongrelationshipswithsupplierquality,technical,andoperationalteams.
QualityAssurance&Compliance
- Supportandmaintainqualityassuranceprograms,policies,andprocedures.
- Develop,review,andmaintainproductspecifications,standards,andtechnicaldocumentation.
- Participateinsupplieraudits,assessments,andqualityimprovementinitiatives.
- Identify,investigate,andresolvefoodsafetyandqualityconcerns.
- Supportrecallreadinessactivities,mockrecalls,andproductretrievalprocesses.
- Ensurecompliancewithapplicabledomesticandinternationalfoodsafetyregulationsandstandards.
MinimumQualifications
- Bachelor'sdegreeinFoodScience,Biology,Chemistry,orarelatedscientificdiscipline.
- 7+yearsofexperienceinthefoodindustry.
- 2+yearsoffoodmanufacturingexperience.
- Directexperiencedevelopingcheeseproductsorcheeseingredients.
- Experienceinfoodproductdevelopmentandcommercialization.
- Experienceworkingwithsupplierquality,supplierdevelopment,orqualityassuranceprograms.
PreferredQualifications
- Advancedknowledgeofdairyscienceandcheeseprocessingtechnologies.
- Experiencesupportingglobalorinternationalfoodmanufacturingoperations.
- Strongunderstandingoffoodsafetysystems,qualitymanagementprograms,andregulatoryrequirements.
- Experienceconductingsensoryevaluationsandshelf-lifetesting.
- Demonstratedsuccessmanagingsupplierrelationshipsandcross-functionalprojects.
- Abilitytotravelinternationallyupto50%.
KeyAreasofExpertise
- Cheeseformulationandproductdevelopment
- Dairyscienceandcheeseprocessingtechnology
- Foodmanufacturingandcommercialization
- Supplierqualityandsupplierdevelopment
- Foodsafetyandregulatorycompliance
- Sensoryevaluationandshelf-lifetesting
- Globalingredientsourcingandsuppliermanagement
PreferredBackground
- Approximately70%experienceinResearch&Development/ProductDevelopment
- Approximately30%experienceinQualityAssuranceandSupplierPartnershipManagement
Skills
- ProductDevelopment
- FoodScience
- DairyScience
- CheeseTechnology
- QualityAssurance
- SupplierQualityManagement
- Commercialization
- FoodManufacturing
- FoodSafety
- RegulatoryCompliance
- SensoryEvaluation
- GlobalSupplierManagement
- Cross-FunctionalLeadership
WorkAuthorization:CandidatesmustbeauthorizedtoworkintheUnitedStateswithoutcurrentorfuturesponsorshiprequirements.
