Director, Research & Development - Foodservice

Why Grande?

With more than 80 years of crafting “The Finest Italian Cheeses Money Can Buy”, Grande is a leader in the industry! Whether partnering with independent pizzerias from coast-to-coast to ensure they’re delivering the very best pizza to their customers or assisting our food manufacturing partners in delivering specialty whey ingredient solutions, our commitment to quality can’t be matched. While Grande’s reputation of excellence in the market is important, we believe our commitment to our workplace and community culture is of equal merit – our Associates come first at Grande. To complement our industry-leading benefits, Grande puts an emphasis on your career growth opportunities, while always promoting a positive work/life balance and supporting the communities in which we live and work. If you want to learn more about our company – what we do and how we go about it – or learn more about our beautiful, state-of-the-art corporate headquarters, visit www.grande.com. 

Did we convince you yet? If not check out our unique benefits:

• Low-cost onsite clinics.
• Free onsite fitness center.
• Free healthy snacks throughout facility.
• Health and wellness reimbursement program.
• Associate cheese purchasing program.
• Two-year mentorship program.
• Relaxation rooms (based on location).
• Coffee and gelato bar (based on location).
• State of the art corporate building: https://www.grande.com/careers/#office
• Paid Parental Leave

Why Fond du Lac?

In Fond du Lac (FDL) you get the full four-season experience – warm in the summer with highs reaching into the 80s and plenty of sunshine for golf, biking, camping and live music under the open sky, and brisk air in the winter with average temps in the 20s and ample snow for snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, ice fishing and winter festivals. The greater FDL area (population 43,000) is easy to get around and roughly an hour drive to almost all major metros in the state (Milwaukee, Madison and Fox Cities/Green Bay). We’ve been rated “Top 100” in job growth among small U.S. metro areas. Additionally, our cost of living is 4% below the national average and you’ll pay 21% less for housing, rent and property taxes compared to the rest of the country. From wonderful educational partners (public and private K12 schools and three local colleges/universities), a plethora of things to do/see, and a vibrant business and commerce community…learn more about how you can call Fond du Lac, HOME!

Job Summary

Grande is seeking an experienced professional, to lead our Foodservice Business Unit Research and Development (R&D), New Products and Processes, and Starter Culture teams. As a leader in the space, you will have the unique opportunity to help us further advance our position as creating “the finest Italian cheeses money can buy!” on both a domestic and international scale. Through partnership and collaboration with our Sr. Flavor Architect, Group Vice President of FSBU, and members of your exceptional team, you will play a key role in advancing the strategic initiatives of our company including the delivering of new product launches and leading the advancement of our world-class product Trademark. With over 80 years of history, this role will be integral in ensuring we advance our “designer” product model – discerning and honoring “historical insights” and observations and applying those with new scientific research to develop breakthroughs in product advancement. Sound exciting? Well, that’s not all…

In addition, as a leader of this area, you will be empowered to lead continuous improvement initiatives and charged with supporting the ongoing growth and development of all members of the team. Therefore, it is imperative that candidates have a proven track record of developing individuals/teams as well as leading innovation, strategy planning and advancement, and product commercialization. This work is vital to ensuring you are supporting the ongoing advancement of Grande’s Mission and Culture. This exciting role plays a vital part in linking our Foodservice Business Unit needs (the what) and our R&D capabilities (the how) – and as leading member of our FSBU team, you are key to helping us advance our strategic priorities and delivering exceptional results! With this exciting role, you don’t have to love pizza…but it sure does help!

 What you need to be considered for the role:

• Master's Degree or PhD preferred, Bachelor's Degree required in Biology, Microbiology, Bacteriology, Food Science, Food Engineering, or other related field or equivalent experience is required. 
• Minimum of ten (10) years of progressive leadership and R&D experience with a history of company stability.
• Experience and knowledge in Dairy, Cheese, Fermentation or Culture Industries preferred.
• Experience with incorporating biological science into a manufacturing process; experience with understanding how biological components like dairy continue to evolve and develop post-production.
• Proven success in leadership roles encompassing innovation, strategy, planning, and product commercialization.
• Proven leadership managing professional level product development staff and cross functional teams. Strive to develop team with deep experience in people development.
• Ability to communicate and work in an environment of deep collaboration and respect.
• Ability to work in a “designer” product development and improvement model.
• Ability to innovate and grounded in research and analytics, with a passion and patience for high quality food products.
• Strong business acumen with an ability to translate market insights and innovative ideas and solutions to implementation of successful product and services.
• Excellent communication skills with the capability of articulating the FSBU’s strategic vision into sound innovation and R&D business plans and processes.
• Ability to manage and deal with ambiguity and changes in direction, both inherent to the innovation process.
• Ability to work effectively across functions, different levels of the organization, and ability to work with commercial partners
• Ability to discern and see value in “historical insights” and learning from unintended observations and applying those with new scientific research to develop breakthroughs in product advancement
• Ability to exercise independent judgment and decision-making skills that demonstrate solid business acumen and sensitivity for Grande’s cultural norms and senior leadership expectations
• Ability to foster relationships with internal stakeholders, external suppliers and key opinion leaders
• Ability to develop teams and individuals to reach their full potential