R& D Technical Manager - Enterprise Cheese

The Technical Manager will lead our Cheese Technologist team, providing both people leadership and technical expertise. As part of a fully integrated cross-functional team, the Technical Manager will collaborate closely with Packaging R& D, Processing R& D, Culinary, Tech Services, Sourcing, Quality, Engineering, Marketing, and Operations. This role is dual focused on project execution, ensuring the successful delivery of key development projects and generating a pipeline of new ideas, as well as people leadership, including onboarding, development opportunities, project guidance, and performance reviews. The Technical Manager will oversee five technologist direct reports across both the Natural and Process Cheese & Sauces teams.

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES

• Act as a key Product R& D resource for one or more business units
• Develop product from benchtop through commercialization to meet customer/consumer requirements
• Build strong relationships with key functional partners in order to support new product launches and other key initiatives
• Proactively lead collaboration with cross-functional partners to determine product innovation and cost savings opportunities
• Conduct and/or manage benchtop, pilot plant, plant trials and lab testing, and analyses to validate and advance technical/product opportunities
• Provide effective communication and documentation of work (including technical testing plans, plant trial and lab reports, specifications, ELN, and team updates)
• Apply scientific principles and statistics to solve problems and make data-based decisions
• Build and leverage depth of food science knowledge to drive innovation and margin improvements
• Collaborate and influence both internally and externally
• Provide coaching and technical guidance for employees while helping to remove project hurdles
• Understand employee's IDPs and provide development opportunities
• Provide feedback on employees' performances (both informal and formal feedback)
• Navigate unique dynamics of both Natural and Process Cheese teams and their projects
• Help develop a culture of innovation and technical rigor within R& D
• Fully onboard new employees, as needed
• Assist Process Cheese & Sauces Manager in determining project support capacity in P2P

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree, or higher, in Food Science or relevant degree - required
• Master's degree - preferred
• 5 or more years related work experience - required.
• Demonstrated proficiency in Microsoft Office Suites to include Word, Excel and Powerpoint - required
• Power BI and Minitab system experience - preferred
• People leadership experience is highly preferred
• Technical knowledge of Process Cheese and/or strong desire to expand product knowledge
• Ability to lead multiple projects in a cross-functional environment while delivering significant results
• Desire to challenge the status quo in order to discover new approaches
• Ability to effectively communicate and influence team members
• Desire to develop and coach others
• Self-starter with a high degree of initiative; works with a sense of urgency
• Strong conflict management skills

Salary range: $91, 120 - $136, 680 (i n most cases, candidates offered employment can expect to be hired at a pay rate near the middle of our salary ranges)

About Land O'Lakes, Inc.

Join us and be part of a Fortune 250, farmer- and member-owned cooperative that is reimagining the business of food. We have been named a Top Workplace by Indeed and LinkedIn, and to the TIME 100 Most Influential Companies list.

Benefits for most full-time roles include medical, dental, vision, PTO, life & disability insurance, education assistance, a 401k and a variety of well-being resources. Most part-time employees are eligible for prorated PTO, holiday pay, employee development programs, prorated education assistance, and a 401(k).

Land O'Lakes, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE) M/F/Vets/Disabled. The company maintains a drug-free workforce, including post-employment substance abuse testing pursuant to a Drug and Alcohol Policy.

Neither Land O'Lakes, nor its search firms, will ever contact you and ask for confidential information over the phone or in email. If you receive a call or email like this, please do not provide the information being requested.