RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT MANAGER, STARCH (Manufacturing)
POSITION SUMMARY:
Provide Starch technical leadership for food and non-food applications. The position will lead and participate on cross-functional teams to develop new ingredients and systems and steer them towards commercialization. The Starch R&D Manager must have fundamental understanding of the chemistry, characterization and functionality of starch ingredients. Position manages the Starch R&D Team and oversees support to cross-functional partners. Role requires deep understanding of corn wet milling process; conversion of raw material inputs into starch (including familiarity with alternative feedstocks); process variables and controls; and promote advancement of starch knowledge and application in the broader food and non-food industries. Furthermore, this role will identify and recommend strategic partnerships, trade association memberships and build 4-year plan that feeds into Starch Innovation Funnel. This role is recognized as a high-level, scientific and strategic resource and must have demonstrated ability to develop and champion independent ideas leading to successful project completion.
Position requires knowledge of grain science and technology, enzymatic bioprocessing, separation and purification. This role will also oversee the scale up of new products and processes from lab-scale to pilot plant to mass production.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:
• Manage direct reports (research scientists)
PRIMARY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:
• Oversee and strive towards disciplined, scientific approaches in executing research projects
• Work with starch, carbohydrates and biopolymers from a variety of feedstocks.
• Participate in new product development, from conception to commercialization, and interact with Production, Sales, Regulatory, Marketing and Technical Service on new and existing products
• Work closely with plant personnel to troubleshoot manufacturing processes and assist in production support
• Drive projects by providing project leadership and direction in fundamental, applied science and new product development.
• Provide thought leadership on projects within and outside of area of responsibility.
• Ensure instrumental characterization and structure function understanding are leveraged appropriately
• Work interactively with other groups including process development, applications, and business groups
• Use carbohydrate science expertise to proactively develop and progress ideas for new product innovations to drive future business growth through new product development and understanding customer application
• Design experiments to promote the understanding of carbohydrate ingredients and their interaction in food and non-food applications
• Assist in developing materials to communicate structure and function of starch ingredients both internally and externally
• Utilize advanced scientific techniques (e.g. x-ray diffraction, DSC, imaging) to elucidate molecular interactions and functionality of starches and complex systems
• Ensure safe working practice in research labs, pilot plants, and manufacturing facilities to meet or exceed safety goals
EDUCATION & QUALIFICATIONS:
• PhD degree or Master's Food Science, Bioprocessing, Carbohydrate Chemistry, or related discipline is required
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including presentation skills
• Positive attitude and motivation to pursue technical challenges
• Excellent problem solving skills and capable of working independently or in a collaborative setting
• Working knowledge of statistics and design of experiments is required
EXPERIENCE:
• 15+ years of experience in Carbohydrate Sciences with professional maturity
• Ability to communicate, verbal and written, with highly technical to non-technical peers
• Basic understanding of cereal and grain processing, enzymes, and starch chemistry
• Experience working in pilot and production scale process development setting is highly desirable
TRAVEL:
Limited travel may be required for technical meetings, conference and training courses.
See job description
