Director of Research & Development

Position Summary:
Lead the BQ US R&DTeam, providing support and leadership over Innovation projects, to ensure timely development of new products, process or services for Key Projects. Partner with Commercial area in building a strong relationship with QSR Customers and defining the strategy for each customer.

Key Job Responsibilities:

• Lead and/or Support BQ US Key Projects, ensuring effective communication among different stakeholders (Internal & external) as well as assuring that deadlines are met.
• Define BQ US R&D strategy, align with BQ US and Global R&D strategy.
• Define and develop the BQ R&D Team, according to business priorities.
• Provide support
• to New Business and New Customer development
• to New Facilities and New QSR Lines Start Up.
• as a Subject Matter Expert in Baking Technology to other internal customers and functional groups as needed.
• Collaborate on continuous improvement projects to optimize resources or solutions to improve processes and/or products in LATAM BQ and dedicated lines.
• Explore and propose new technologies (ingredients, process and products) that could be useful for the region. Roll out and training on New Technologies across the region.
• Lead and Support BQ sustainability initiatives in US; provide support to QSR Customer on defining their own initiative.
• Partner with internal and external stakeholders to share best practices and improve ways of working.
• Support Technical Excellence Plan in BQ, across with Operations and Quality.
• Helps define the Bimbo QSR Global R&D strategy, aligning and incorporating in US Innovation Strategy & Standards with regional specific initiatives and objectives.
• Performs other duties as assigned by Senior Management.

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Education and Work History:
Education/Certification:
Engineering/Bachelor's degree in food science, chemistry, or related field of science from an accredited college or university.

Experience:
7 years in the food industry with at least 5 years R&D experience in the food industry mainly bakery.

• Experience leading high performance Innovation / R&D team.
• Thorough knowledge of process, food technology and formulation of bakery products.
• Knowledge of bakery operations and production equipment.
• Regulatory affairs: basic knowledge about national and international food regulations of food and its processes.
• Quality Standards: basic knowledge of safety standards (HACCP, FSSC 22000, BRC) and their implications in food development and processing.

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Qualifications and Skill:

• Leadership and influence skills.
• Communicate and coordinate effectively with internal and external organization verbally and in writing. Ability to interact with different countries and cultures.
• Work effectively in a general business environment.
• Good organizational and time management skills.
• Proactive and self-motivated.
• Good English communication skills (both written and oral)

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Work Conditions:
Travel as required.