The Technical Development Director for Food & Nutrition North America will be responsible for leading a team of Technical Development Managers acting as a working manager to drive the commercialization for the sensory components, such as sweet and savory flavors, aroma, and natural color, in addition to our full line of functional ingredients in the North American food industry. The Technical Development Director will have specific customers and supplier relationships for certain strategic partners.  The primary categories of focus include, but not limited to, beverages, baked goods, dairy, confectionary, meat, and plant-based meat and dairy alternatives. 

Essential Job Functions/Responsibilities:

• Lead and direct a team of TDM’s to support the development of our functional and specialty ingredient pipeline and commercialization across North America.
• Develops and implements marketing and innovation strategies to increase sales and profitability.
• Work with Brenntag’s strategic supplier partners to learn their product portfolio, and understand the key technical attributes as it relates to their applications in food products
• Work with product and marketing category managers, to identify and strategize entry into the potential target accounts in the geographies assigned
• Secures additional suppliers or products which offer profitable opportunities or identifies opportunities within new industries which could lead to profits.
• Set up processes for prioritizing customer targets and project development along with developing KPI’s to drive deeper penetration of our specialty portfolio and growth for our organization
• Visit the accounts with the commercial sales team weekly, and engage with customer’s R&D to define customer’s needs for innovation or solutions at the technical level   
• Engage with supplier partners and suggest best solutions to the customer
• Engage with the innovation & application team to accelerate customer projects through our own application kitchens, as needed
• Follow up with the customers to drive the project and ensure successful commercialization of the products in scope
• Attend product trainings and extend training to the field account managers in their assigned regions as necessary

Other Functions/Responsibilities:

• Conduct all functions of business with safety as the top priority
• Work with Management on organizational priorities, goals, and objectives
• Participate in all periodic team meetings and communicates activities for

      action/follow-up/execution as necessary

• Attend internal and external training sessions for continued development of product and industry knowledge

Required Skills/Abilities:

• Strong people leader and influencing skills with proven track record for leading and motivating team
• Self-motivated and task oriented
• Logical, critical thinker with an inquisitive and strategic mind   
• Proficiency in written and verbal communication
• Team player with collaborative and engaging work style
• Able to present ideas and solution concepts to colleagues, customers, as well as large industry audiences

Minimum qualifications:

• BS or MS in food science.
• Min 15 Yrs’ experience in food product development and or technical sales in the food industry
• Deep understanding of functional food ingredients and functionality in food systems. 
• Understanding of unit operations and unit processes in various end applications included but not limited to beverage, dairy, bakery, and prepared foods industries

Additional essential attributes

• Well versed with current market trends and key players in the food industry
• Aware of the regulatory landscape as it related to food products in North America

Computer Skills:

• Functional knowledge of word processors, database software, sales tools, spreadsheets, presentation modules 

Travel:

• Requires up to 50% travel, or as needed by the business.

Location:

• Flexible to work from home or office, as required

Our Offer 

• We aim to create an environment where the best people want to work, where they can turn their passion into their job and realize their full potential.
• Individual development, on-the-job training, and development programs designed to help our employees grow in their careers.
• Paid parental leave
• Education assistance program
• Employee assistance program
• Various healthcare plan options as well