Product Development and Industrialization Manager - R&D

Job Location: ​Chicago​

Company description

Ferrero is a family-owned company with a truly progressive and global outlook and iconic brands such as Nutella®, Tic Tac®, Ferrero Rocher®, Raffaello®, Kinder Bueno® and Kinder Surprise®. As the love for our brands continues to grow, so too does our global reach. Represented in more than 50 countries, with products sold in more than 170, the Ferrero Group is loved by generations around the world. The secret to our global success? 38,767  dedicated employees who celebrate care and quality to craft a business, careers and brands we are proud of. Join us, and you could be one of them.

Diversity Statement

Ferrero is committed to building a diverse and inclusive culture in which all employees feel welcomed and appreciated and have the same opportunities. We believe all of our people are equally talented in their own way. In nurturing the curiosity and natural abilities of our employees, we provide them, generation after generation, the means to succeed personally and professionally, enabling them to craft their journey at Ferrero. The diversity of our talents is what makes our work environment multicultural, innovative and highly rewarding.

 

Ferrero N.A. provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics.

About the Role:

We are looking for a Product Technical Performance Manager (PTPM) to join our Cookies R&D team.  Under the guidance and coaching of the manager, you will lead the successful development and execution of new and innovative Cookies, Cones & Pie Crusts as well as Global Ferrero categories with products and production lines to be launched in North America.  

Main Responsibilities:

DEVELOPMENT AND INDUSTRIALIZATION OF NEW PRODUCTS AND CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT OF EXISTING PRODUCTS
⦁    Ensures the Cookies, Cones, Crusts & Ferrero Global Biscuits & Baked Categories innovation through the development and the industrialization of new products.
⦁    Ensures the quality constant improvement (performance) of existing products, of production systems and raw materials.
⦁    Provides technical product-process support to plant technologists.
⦁    Coordinates the definitions of doses for new products.
⦁    Partner strongly & effectively with cross functional partners (Marketing, Sales, Operations, Supply Chain, Procurement, Quality, 3rd party co-manufacturers, etc.) to ensure an efficient and successful project initiation, progression and execution

PLANTS AND MANUFACTURING EQUIPMENT
⦁    Ensures the coordination and supervises the execution in the plant (internal plants & co-manufacturers) of new process technologies tests and new manufacturing capabilities potentially impacting the quality of products belonging to the Categories.
⦁    Collaborates with the competent technical bodies, in the design of new manufacturing equipment or modifications of the existing ones.

PRODUCTS DEVELOPMENT PLAN
⦁    Strong partnership with the laboratory, raw materials and global R&D Ferrero teams in the successful development of new innovative formulations & adaptation of European formulations to the North American market.
⦁    Co-leads the products development plan structuring the technological and product evolution plan for his own projects (new products, improvements to existing ones, etc.).
 

Who we are looking for:

⦁    BS / MSc. degree in Food Science, Chemical Engineering, Nutrition or related field
⦁    Minimum of 2-3 years of proven experience in FMCG R&D, process/production, or technology development roles, with a successful track record in product/process development from laboratory bench scale to successful execution and launch to market.
⦁    Result-oriented with strong passion for creativity and innovation within a complex driven environment.
⦁    Dynamic, flexible, proactive approach and ability to work effectively in high-pressure situations within strict deadlines.
⦁    Strives for high standards, seeks innovative solutions, drives continuous improvement of ingredients, semi-finished & finish products, processes and demonstrates a high degree of attention to detail. 
⦁    Possesses strong interpersonal skills with the ability to influence with integrity through persuasive communication to garner support at more senior levels within R&D and cross-functional areas (Marketing, third-party co-manufacturers, Operations, Supply Chain, Procurement, Quality, etc.).
⦁    Demonstrates strong people collaboration and project management skills to effectively and efficiently drive complex programs under the supervision of the line manager.
⦁    Availability to travel between 20-30% according to priorities & pro