Innovation Manager

We make pet food taste great! For over 30 years, AFB International has been providing pet food solutions that enrich the lives of pets and their people. Our palatants are specially designed to make pet foods, treats and supplements taste better, ensuring pets receive the vital nutrients they need. We know wagging tails, licking whiskers and empty bowls equal happy pets and happy pet parents. Join AFB and you'll be a part of a team of highly skilled professionals that provide the greatest contribution to our success as an organization. Our team members are diverse, creative, passionate experts who are genuinely dedicated to our mission, our customers, and the pets we serve worldwide.

Job Description

Summary A successful individual in this role is an enthusiastic champion of people and bold new ideas. Further, this individual, manages the strategic initiatives and daily operations of AFB international North American Innovation team

by performing the duties personally or through subordinates. You are part of a global team inclusive of Latin America, Europe, and Asia Pacific thus a global mindset is must.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

• Responsible for the North American Innovation team by driving the innovation process to enable a space for creativity. Once the innovation process is set on its course, then oversees formulation, process, scale, and scientific rigor of the disruptive breakthrough solutions technologies coming through the process.

• Participates in global collaboration (cross-regional) projects within Innovation by working with Project management and as a Teacher of best practices within R&D innovation.

• Proactively works with Senior R&D leadership to develop near term and long-term innovative strategies, inclusive of palatability research, and avenues within the pet food flavor industry.

• Steward of IP strategy and engages in external partnerships to drive development and impact of innovation.

• Manages schedule plans according to variety of methods to be used, availability and quantity of resources, and types of testing to occur.

• Provides strong individualized coaching, development, and leadership to the team members.

• Presentation, communication, and collaboration with key stakeholders globally as part of business opportunity development.

• Drives innovation decision-making regarding research priorities and provides information on feasibility of prospective projects.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

This position will have direct reports and indirect relationships with global innovation team members. Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization's policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems.

Qualifications

• Required:
  • Bachelor's Degree from a four-year-college or university in Animal Nutrition, Food/Flavor Science, Food Engineering, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering or related field of study, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
  • 3+ years' experience in managing/directing a team of scientists with demonstratable innovation business impact and excellent customer-facing experience (communication, presentation).
  • 5+ total years in R&D product development, food process development, and/or innovation within consumer products / pet products.

• Desired:
  • M.S. or Ph.D., or other advanced degree (e.g., MBA) related to Animal Science, Food/Flavor Science, Food Engineering, Chemistry, pet food industry.
  • 5+ years' experience in managing/directing a team of scientists with demonstratable innovation business impact and excellent customer-facing experience (communication, presentation).
  • Experience in palatability and/or other sensory evaluation, data science, analytical chemistry, product testing, flavor chemistry, manufacturing process

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

To perform this job successfully, an individual should have the following knowledge, skills and abilities:

• Expertise in executing and teaching of food science, food technology and safety principles for formulation development and execute trials at lab scale and pilot plant scale on multiple projects according to project deadlines.
• Expertise in executing and teaching the structure, function of ingredients and materials involved in formulation as well as the skill to safely handle them.
• Expertise in Design of Experiments
• Excellent interpersonal communication skills to interact effectively with peers, co-workers, scientists, researchers, supervisors, customers, and vendors as required.
• Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.
• Ability to effectively present information to team members, top management, and/or public groups.
• Demonstrated leadership capabilities, including people development/coaching, objective setting, and measurement skills.
• Proven track record of taking ideation concepts through to profitable commercialization.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly required to sit. The employee is occasionally required to stand and walk. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 40 pounds.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet.

AFB International is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE). Qualified applicants are considered for employment without regard to race, religion, color, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation, genetic information, national origin, or veteran status.