This job is closed
Applications are no longer available for this announcement. Explore current related opportunities below.
Job description
Our client is one of the fastest-growing Hispanic food platforms in the U.S., recently acquired by a global food group. They are looking for a Vice President of Research & Development to own the innovation agenda and technical product strategy for the business.
This executive will lead all core R&D functions — innovation management, new product development, formulation, process commercialization, packaging development, and regulatory compliance — for a portfolio of authentic, high-quality Hispanic foods.
The role is designed for a commercially minded innovation leader who can build scalable capabilities while accelerating growth. Working closely with Marketing, Sales, Operations, Supply Chain and Quality, the VP of R&D will strengthen the company's ability to bring products to market with greater speed, consistency, and strategic focus.
Reporting Structure
Direct Report: Global Head of R&D, Holding Group
Dotted-Line Reporting: CEO, U.S. Business Unit
Executive Exposure: N-1 to Global CEO
This structure reflects the strategic visibility and enterprise-wide impact associated with the position.
Key Responsibilities
Define and execute the company’s R&D and innovation roadmap aligned with business growth objectives
Build and manage a robust innovation pipeline driven by consumer insights, category trends, culinary relevance, and emerging technologies
Partner with Marketing-Sales teams to identify whitespace opportunities and support portfolio expansion
Establish R&D as a strategic contributor to long-term growth and market differentiation
Lead the end-to-end product development lifecycle from concept through commercialization
Oversee formulation development, benchtop testing, plant trials, and industrial scale-up activities
Ensure product integrity, operational feasibility, quality consistency, and profitability targets are achieved
Improve commercialization effectiveness and post-launch performance of innovation initiatives
Drive continuous improvement across existing products and manufacturing processes
3. Technical & Operational Leadership
Product formulation and ingredient functionality
Sensory evaluation and consumer acceptance testing
Cost optimization and value engineering
Process development and manufacturing scalability
Shelf-life and product stability
Food safety and technical quality
Strengthen collaboration between R&D, Operations, Quality, and Supply Chain to ensure executional alignment across all commercialization activities
Serve as the senior technical leader for innovation and product development initiatives
4. Packaging & Regulatory Compliance
Lead packaging development initiatives focused on functionality, sustainability, efficiency, and consumer experience
Maintain accountability for regulatory compliance, ingredient standards, labeling accuracy, and technical documentation
Monitor evolving regulatory requirements, industry standards, and market-specific compliance considerations
Ensure the organization maintains a proactive and audit-ready compliance posture
Implement structured innovation management frameworks and stage-gate methodologies
Introduce scalable product development processes that improve execution, and speed-to-market
Promote the use of Agile and Design Thinking principles within cross-functional innovation teams
Lead innovation governance processes in partnership with executive leadership and Marketing
6. External Innovation & Strategic Partnerships
Build an external innovation ecosystem that includes strategic suppliers, research institutions, startups, and technology partners
Identify emerging ingredients, technologies, and capabilities that can enhance product differentiation and innovation effectiveness
Expand the organization’s access to external expertise and innovation resources to accelerate growth and capability building
7. Organizational Leadership & Transformation
A company-wide culture of innovation, collaboration, and continuous improvement
Lead the evolution of R&D into a more scalable, proactive, and commercially integrated function
Develop organizational capabilities, technical talent, and succession planning within the R&D team
Promote accountability, agility, and cross-functional alignment throughout the innovation process
8. Strategic Leadership & Decision-Making
Prioritize innovation initiatives based on strategic value, market opportunity, and operational feasibility
Make informed decisions regarding resource allocation, project acceleration, and portfolio prioritization
Balance executive-level strategic thinking with hands-on operational engagement
Influence and align stakeholders across Marketing, Sales, Operations, Finance, and Supply Chain functions
Organization Structure
The VP of R&D will lead a lean, agile, and high-impact technical organization, including:
Culinary Innovation / Chef
Packaging Manager
Product Development Leaders / Food Scientists
Technical and commercialization support staff
Education & Professional Experience
Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Food Engineering, Chemistry, Microbiology, or related technical discipline required
MBA, MS, or PhD preferred
Critical Success Factors
15 years of progressive leadership experience within R&D, innovation, or product development in the food or CPG industry
Proven experience leading products from concept development through industrial commercialization
Strong background within U.S. food manufacturing and commercialization environments
Demonstrated success managing multidisciplinary technical and cross-functional teams
Strong understanding of Hispanic foods, culinary authenticity, and culturally relevant consumer trends
Ability to connect innovation strategy with revenue growth, profitability, and operational performance
Executive presence with the ability to operate effectively in both strategic and hands-on environments
Strong curiosity for emerging technologies, ingredients, consumer behaviors, and sustainability trends
Experience building external partnerships to accelerate innovation capabilities and market responsiveness
Exceptional cross-functional collaboration and stakeholder management skills
Ability to lead organizational changes within a fast-growing and evolving business environment
Strong decision-making capabilities, prioritization skills, and business judgment
Balanced leadership style combining entrepreneurial agility with operational discipline
Why This Role?
Opportunity to lead the transformation of a growing and strategically important R&D organization
High visibility with executive leadership and direct exposure to global decision-makers
Ability to shape innovation within a fast-growing Hispanic-inspired food platform
Opportunity to build scalable innovation processes within a company entering its next phase of expansion
Base Salary: $220,000–$250,000, plus an annual bonus, executive-level benefits, and relocation assistance.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Who can apply
Review the original listing for work authorization, qualifications and employer requirements.