Brenntag North America is hiring a Senior Technical Development Director to lead the commercialization of sensory components and functional ingredients across the North American food industry. As a working manager, you will lead a team while maintaining key customer and supplier relationships in categories like beverages, baked goods, dairy, and plant-based alternatives.
What You'll Do
- Lead a team of Technical Development Managers to support the development and commercialization of functional and specialty ingredients.
- Work with strategic supplier partners to learn their product portfolio and understand key technical attributes for food applications.
- Collaborate with product and marketing category managers to identify and strategize entry into potential target accounts.
- Establish processes for prioritizing customer targets and project development, and develop KPIs to drive portfolio penetration and growth.
- Visit accounts with the commercial sales team weekly to engage with customer R&D and define technical needs for innovation or solutions.
- Engage with supplier partners to suggest the best solutions to the customer.
- Work with the innovation & application team to accelerate customer projects through application kitchens as needed.
- Follow up with customers to drive projects and ensure successful product commercialization.
- Attend product trainings and extend training to field account managers in assigned regions.
- Conduct all business functions with safety as the top priority.
- Work with management on organizational priorities, goals, and objectives.
- Participate in periodic team meetings and communicate activities for action, follow-up, and execution.
- Attend internal and external training sessions for continued development of product and industry knowledge.
What We're Looking For
- BS or MS in food science.
- Minimum 15 years of experience in food product development and/or technical sales in the food industry.
- Deep understanding of functional food ingredients and functionality in food systems.
- Understanding of unit operations and unit processes in various end applications (e.g., beverage, dairy, bakery, prepared foods).
- Strong people leader and influencing skills with a proven track record for leading and motivating teams.
- Self-motivated and task oriented.
- Logical, critical thinker with an inquisitive and strategic mind.
- Proficiency in written and verbal communication.
- Team player with collaborative and engaging work style.
- Able to present ideas and solution concepts to colleagues, customers, and large industry audiences.
Nice to Have
- Well versed with current market trends and key players in the food industry.
- Aware of the regulatory landscape as it relates to food products in North America.
Technical Stack
- Word processors
- Database software
- Sales tools
- Spreadsheets
- Presentation modules
Team & Environment
You will lead a team of Technical Development Managers.
Benefits & Compensation
- Individual development, on-the-job training, and development programs.
- Paid parental leave.
- Education assistance program.
- Employee assistance program.
- Various healthcare plan options.
- 401(k).
Work Mode
This is a hybrid position open to candidates in North America.
Brenntag and its subsidiary companies will provide equal employment opportunities to all applicants without regard to any category protected by federal, state or local law.
