Director of Global R&D and Commercial Transformation

Position Title: Director of Global R&D and Commercial Transformation
Position Type: Regular - Full-Time
Position Location: Oakbrook Terrace
Requisition ID: 34261
At McCain, we believe in meaningful technology - using digital technology not just for innovation, but to make a difference globally. Join a team where innovation drives purpose and technology shapes the future. This is your chance to develop sought-after expertise, work on exciting, high-impact projects, and create solutions that truly make a difference. If you're ready to push boundaries, tackle purposeful challenges, and build a career that matters, we want you on our team. As we embark on a strategic digital transformation journey, the role of Director of R&D and Commercial Transformation will be pivotal in reshaping our global R&D and Commercialization processes. The role will work cross-functionally across regions and teams to deliver the insights and operational excellence required to support our global digital transformation strategy.
McCain Foods is seeking a strategic and influential leader as Director of R&D and Commercial Transformation to establish and lead a new function and help drive our digital transformation program. Reporting to the Global Head of Business Transformation, the successful candidate will be responsible for defining and implementing R&D and Commercial process excellence, building a new team, ensuring standardization, efficiency, and effectiveness in process execution, regardless of geographical location or business unit. The right candidate will drive us from good to exceptional in business process execution and data quality for product lifecycle management and our go to market processes within our commercial, marketing and R&D functions.
The Director of R&D and Commercial Transformation is as strategic as they are hands-on, someone who will not only execute a global vision but will also roll up their sleeves to ensure its success. If you are ready to make a tangible impact on a global scale, we encourage you to apply for this exciting opportunity to lead within one of the world's premier food companies.
Accountabilities:

• Lead Transformation Programs: Design and lead the R&D and Commercialization processes on the global transformation program. This includes overseeing requirements gathering, solution design, configuration, testing, and deployment of technology as a business leader to ensure smooth and timely delivery.
• Strategic Business Partnering: Collaborate with senior stakeholders in Finance, Digital Technology, Supply Chain, R&D, Commercia and other critical functions to ensure that the digital transformation implementation supports strategic goals across the organization.
• Performance Monitoring & Improvement: Oversee the continuous improvement of R&D and Commercialization processes by leveraging technology capabilities, ensuring that the new systems and processes deliver insights that drive decision-making and operational efficiency.
• Change Management: Drive change management efforts globally, ensuring that our teams are fully prepared and trained on the new systems. Foster user adoption through clear communication and ongoing support.
• Risk Management & Governance: Establish and maintain governance structures to manage risks, monitor progress, and ensure the program stays within budget and timelines. Address issues proactively to maintain project momentum.
• Digital Transformation Advocate: Act as a key advocate for digital transformation within the organization, ensuring that the new processes align with McCain's broader cost effectiveness and digital goals.

Qualifications:

• 10+ years of experience leading large-scale Transformation programs

• Strong leadership skills to drive performance with cross-functional teams.

• Excellent stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence and guide senior leadership through transformation.

• Experience in leading change management initiatives, fostering adoption of new technologies and processes across global teams.

• Bachelor's degree in finance, accounting, or related field; or relevant experience.

Skills:

• Proven communication skills with an ability to engage both executive-level management and operational teams effectively.

• Results-driven and process improvement-focused with a strong propensity for excellence.

• In-depth industry knowledge within the context of food production and technology implementation.

• Able to approach conflict resolution and negotiation with confidence and tact.

• Passion for innovation and continuous improvement, with a willingness to challenge the status quo.

• Leadership capability in coaching and mentoring, fostering a culture of growth and learning.

• Champions and leads organizational change, ensuring that the strategic goals are met with high standards of business value and innovation.

• Leverages influence, knowledge, and analytical prowess to make well-informed strategic decisions and to dynamically allocate resources.

About McCain.
At McCain, we're feeding the world: from French fries to cakes, we contribute to the important role food plays in people's lives. That's why we're dedicated to ensuring our core values-Family, Authentic, Trusted, and Quality-shine through every day. As a privately owned family company with over 60 years of experience, a presence in more than 160 countries, and a global team of 22,000 people, our values and culture are at the heart of everything we do. We believe that we can work together, along with our business and community partners, to bring sustainable growth and positive change today, tomorrow, and for generations to come. Join us and see how you can MAKE IT at McCain!
Leadership Principles.
Our principles, each with related practices, guide our actions across the organization. Together, they address how McCain interacts with our customers and employees, and how we work as individuals and collectively to find success. While each role adheres to the Leadership Principles, individual roles may focus more on a specific principle or principles.
We are customer obsessed. Customers are our starting point. By understanding their needs and leveraging data and consumer insights, we drive mutual success.
We think big and plan ahead. Through ambition, curiosity, and smart risks, we can accomplish goals, refine processes, and innovate to scale success.
We bring out the best in our people. We create safe spaces for our people so that trust and empowerment come naturally. Inclusion is about listening first, showing humility, and working together.
We act like owners. Together, we clear obstacles and do the work that makes us all successful and proud to be part of McCain.
The McCain experience.
We are McCain: this statement is about our power collectively and our importance individually-your impact is a significant part of the business. Our winning culture focuses on authenticity and trust so we can always bring out the best in our people. Here, you have the opportunity to learn, grow, and thrive while being yourself. Join our team to see why we're better together.
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Compensation Package : $146,200.00 - $195,000.00 USD annually + bonus eligibility + Long Term Incentive eligibility
The above reflects the target compensation range for the position at the time of posting. Hiring compensation will be determined based on experience, skill set, education/training, and other organizational needs.
Benefits : At McCain, we're on a mission to create a winning culture that puts employee safety and wellbeing at the heart of what we do, every day. We understand and appreciate that each person's needs are unique and ensure our benefits & wellbeing programs reflect that. Employees are eligible for the following benefits: health coverage (medical, dental, vision, prescription drug), retirement savings benefits, and leave support including medical, family and bereavement. Wellbeing programs include vacation and holidays, company-supported volunteering time, and mental health resources. Coverages are aligned to country, provincial and state governing plans and can vary by work level, location and nature of the role. Additional benefit details available during the application process.
Your well-being matters to us, and we're here to provide you with the necessary resources to support you in being your best self at work - and at home.
McCain Foods is an equal opportunity employer. We see value in ensuring we have a diverse, antiracist, inclusive, merit-based, and equitable workplace. As a global family-owned company we are proud to reflect the diverse communities around the world in which we live and work. We recognize that diversity drives our creativity, resilience, and success and makes our business stronger.
McCain is an accessible employer. If you require an accommodation throughout the recruitment process (including alternate formats of materials or accessible meeting rooms), please let us know and we will work with you to meet your needs.
Your privacy is important to us. By submitting personal data or information to us, you agree this will be handled in accordance with the Global Privacy Policy
Job Family: Research & Development
Division: Global Finance
Department: Business Transformation
Location(s): US - United States of America : Illinois : Oakbrook Terrace || US - United States of America : Illinois : Chicago
Company: McCain Foods USA, Inc.