Director, R&D Technology

PURPOSE STATEMENT

The Director of R&D Technology reports to the VP, Chief Enterprise Architect. This role will be a partner with Rich’s Research Innovation and Compliance leadership team to drive our digital R&D capabilities on an enterprise level.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES/OUTCOMES

•    Lead R&D Technology strategy across PLM, Quality Management Systems (QMS), Safety, Environmental Management Systems, U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulations, company policies and operating procedures, and other regulatory requirements.
•    Develop and maintain an R&D governance model that holds key metrics accountable and demonstrates alignment between all organizational functions and resources.
•    Harmonizes and determines best practices for R&D business systems (design controls, lean methodology, knowledge management, etc.) that will facilitate a best-in-class application framework.
•    Provide technical support across the sites and to customers. Resolve issues by assuming ownership of significant technical problems, influencing affected stakeholders, and helping to select and implement solutions that meet the overall team’s goal.
•    Collaborates with colleagues across the organization and drives standard policies and practices across R&D and IS groups; collaborates cross-functionally to ensure achievement of strategic imperatives for the Product Category and site and function metrics.
•    Drive the creation and execution of strategic technology roadmaps, including responsibility for all technology initiatives supporting the strategic R&D business plan. Works closely with other departments to ensure proper implementation. Create a strategic technology roadmap that permits the R&D team to unleash its full potential.
•    Ensure the timely completion and proper prioritization of R&D initiatives on budget.
•    Assist in developing a high-performance R&D technology team that thinks, acts, and influences the organization by utilizing a common process and working toward a common goal.
•    Provide technical input to the Strategic Growth Teams identifying technology trends and market dynamics, technology roadmap, and manufacturing strategies.

KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS/EXPERIENCE

•    Minimum Education: Bachelor’s degree Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science, IT, Food Science or closely related subject. A master’s degree in business or additional class work in business management is desirable.
•    Minimum Experience: 10+ years of experience in a similar level technical role in an R&D environment 
•    Proven experience in evaluating & leveraging new technology to meet business goals
•    Ability to interact with and influence senior executives. Ability to partner with cross-functional organizations to drive the technology strategy successfully
•    Excellent communication skills, internal and external (customer-focused).
•    Excellent leadership, interpersonal, communication, presentation, and collaborative team-building skills. Ability to plan and make technological judgments and decisions.
•    Demonstrated creative thinker; ability to see the "big picture" and synthesize and communicate innovation strategies delivering on company goals.
•    Proven ability to manage complex projects and cross-functional teams and deliver results in a fast-paced, deadline-oriented environment.
•    Experience in the Food & Beverage Industry highly preferred.

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