Sr. Scientist Product Development

Position Title: Sr. Scientist Product Development
Position Type: Regular - Full-Time
Position Location: Appleton
Grade: Grade 05
Requisition ID: 34836
About the role
The Senior Scientist: Portfolio renovation and Value Engineering is a key position within the appetizer Research and Development function that drives portfolio changes to bring about competitive and cost advantage. The incumbent is a Subject Matter Expert that influences internal stakeholders spread across marketing, sales, procurement, agriculture, manufacturing and R&D to bring to life the portfolio renovation strategy.
The Senior Scientist interacts closely with Product Development, Applied Research, Value Engineering, Technical Services, Sensory, Nutrition and Manufacturing, to provide guidance and partnership through all stages of the stage-gate process. This includes oversight and coordination of effective test plans to ensure optimized product propositions.
The position also develops and executes ingredient, process and technology centered solutions that guide the design of existing appetizer products to support cost enhancements and strengthen McCain's brands and market position.
The Senior Scientist will collaborate closely with a network of internal and external stakeholders who are specialized in areas that strategically align with McCain's Innovation and Renovation initiatives related to appetizers.

1. Drive the overall NA appetizer portfolio optimization strategy to bring about cost optimizations while delivering Good Food targets. Assure the latest approaches and appropriate practices are employed through design and scale-up of products and processes that help maximize McCain's competitive advantage, including and not limited to Design of Experiment. Drive a deeper understanding of consumer needs and desired key product attributes to functional groups and key stakeholders.
2. Provide input supported by scientific data on ingredient properties that influence functional coated product attributes. Lead the development and commercialization stages of the New Product Development (NPD) process, ensuring innovative new ingredients will make our food taste extraordinary while bringing competitive advantages through innovative ingredients and processes.
3. Contribute to intellectual property activities, transform learnings into internal best practices and deliver those learnings to McCain's global network of employees in Product Development and Value Engineering.
4. Provide hands on expertise for select NPD efforts and customer-facing projects, develop best-practices and deliver trainings.
5. Lead research and innovation work to enhance the design and cost competitiveness of existing products.
6. Accountable for ensuring that appropriate and unbiased research is developed, executed and reported to internal and external stakeholders to help make development decisions and inform smart product and ingredient specifications.

Core Accountabilities/Outcomes:
Required qualifications and experience:

• Master's or PhD in Food Science, Food Engineering, Food Chemistry, Statistics, Engineering or related disciplines
• 10+ years relevant CPG industry experience
• 3+ years relevant experience with leading innovation and renovation focused research programs preferably related to coated appetizers, batters and coatings and cheese.
• Experience working in a global organization
• Excellent data analysis and communication skills
• Experience working with researchers, product developers, ingredient suppliers, open innovation providers, academia, marketing, and quality/manufacturing

Key Competencies:

• Depth of knowledge and breadth of experience in Food science, Food Rheology, Food Engineering and Food Processing.
• Ability to communicate effectively, verbally and written, with diverse audiences ranging from highly scientific/technical to non-technical personnel and customers
• Knowledge of Food Chemistry/Food Rheology/Statistics desired
• Excellent analytical and decision-making skills, combined with the ability to think strategically and drive projects from development to completion
• Ability to recognize, disseminate, and reconcile information from insights and trends to product propositions that advance McCain's ability to make better business decisions
• Proven leadership experience, passionate about creating a successful, inclusive team environment
• Established capability in managing stakeholders across a complex matrix and around the globe through use of strong interpersonal, influencing and communication skills
• Experience in managing external relationships with ingredient suppliers, academic institutions, and consultants
• Engaging individual that encourages the team's experimentation mindset and digital transformation of methods resulting in bigger insights and innovations

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.
#LI-DM2
Compensation Package : $102,700.00 - $137,000.00 USD annually + bonus 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.
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Job Family: Research & Development
Division: Global Research and Development
Department: Appetizers North America
Location(s): US - United States of America : Wisconsin : Appleton || US - United States of America : Illinois : Oakbrook Terrace
Company: McCain Foods USA, Inc.