Director of Connecticut Food Innovation Center

JOB SUMMARY 

The College of Agriculture, Health, and Natural Resources (CAHNR) at the University of Connecticut is seeking a highly creative and motivated individual with a strong entrepreneurial drive to serve as the inaugural Director of The Connecticut Food Innovation Center (CTFIC). The Director of CTFIC will report to the Dean of CAHNR and be based in the XL Center in Hartford, Connecticut.

The CTFIC is a new initiative envisioned to serve as a business incubator and accelerator for supporting new and existing food and beverage companies with the goal of growing Connecticut’s food and beverage economy. The Director will be expected to develop a multi-year plan to spearhead the CTFIC function as a one-stop resource hub providing a wide range of services, including food business mentoring, innovative ingredient, product and process development, assistance with scaling-up production, food quality and safety analysis and marketing assistance.

The ideal candidate will have strong and diverse experience in the food and beverage industry and with small business establishments. They will be a self-starter, possess strong relationships, and demonstrate relevant networks within the food industry.  The candidate will also have a strong background in food science/technology, including food product/process development and scale-up, food safety and quality assurance, sensory testing, food labeling and regulations, and marketing communications. This position requires a blend of creativity, business development, technical expertise, and project management skills. The Director of CTFIC will report to the Dean of CAHNR.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The primary duties will include but not be limited to:

• Provide leadership to CTFIC and execute day-to-day activities of the center.
• Develop and maintain policies and procedures for all operations of CTFIC.
• Create and maintain multi-year, strategic, and business plans for CTFIC to grow its operations and become self-sustainable economically.
• Develop, manage, and monitor the operating and capital budget of CTFIC and predict future financial trends.
• Conduct market research to identify new opportunities/trends relevant to Connecticut and the northeast as needed.
• Engage with food and beverage entrepreneurs and the food/beverage industry to expand business opportunities for CTFIC.
• Collaborate with the CT Department of Agriculture, the CT Department of Economic and Community Development, and other state agencies to build partnerships and strengthen the functions of CTFIC.
• Partner with faculty/staff of UConn’s CAHNR, School of Business, and College of Engineering to leverage academic capacity for helping entrepreneurs.
• Collaborate and partner as appropriate, with other industry-focused accelerator and incubator programs in the state, focusing on providing marketing, programming, and mentorship leverage or synergy opportunities.
• Represent CTFIC with clients, food and beverage industry professionals, potential investors, business partners, and other stakeholders.
• Recruit high-quality staff, develop work plans, and conduct performance appraisals for employees within the CTFIC.
• Coach and lead a high-performance team by maintaining a positive work culture and mentoring.
• Write proposals and lead fundraising opportunities for expanding business and revenue to the center.
• Develop and conduct short courses, seminars, and workshops for entrepreneurs, the food industry, and other stakeholders.
• Communicate news and decisions about the center to stakeholders and the public.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

1. Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Engineering, Nutrition, or Business.
2. Minimum of seven years of experience in the food industry.
3. At least five years of leadership and management experience in the food industry.
4. At least three years of prior experience in budgeting, profit and loss, and fiscal management.
5. Proven ability to develop effective relationships with stakeholders.
6. Excellent project management skills.
7. Experience working with diverse groups and delivering successful outcomes.
8. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
9. Ability to work independently, exercising sound judgment while maintaining confidentiality.
10. Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

1. Master’s degree in Food Science, Engineering, or Business.
2. Proven ability to lead projects involving creativity and innovation in the food and beverage industry.
3. Demonstrated experience in business ideation and development and entrepreneurship, especially in the food and bev