Director R&D International, RTE & Product Efficiency - Military Veterans

Glanbia is a global nutrition company, grounded in science and nature and dedicated to providing better nutrition for every step of life’s journey.Today’s consumers are increasingly aware of the importance of nutrition in improving their overall health and well being. They are searching for better, healthier and smarter nutritional solutions that fit their lifestyles.

Glanbia takes pure and clean ingredients including milk, whey and grains, and using our expert knowledge and capabilities we produce high-quality nutritional ingredients and branded consumer products for our customers and consumers worldwide.

We employ over 6,000 people across 32 countries and our products are sold or distributed in over 130 countries with an annual turnover of €3.6 billion. Our major production facilities are located in Ireland, the US, the UK, Germany and China. We have four segments; Glanbia Performance Nutrition, Global Ingredients, Dairy Ireland and Joint Ventures & Associates. Our shares are listed on the Irish and London Stock Exchanges (symbol: GLB).

Company Description

Glanbia is a global nutrition company, grounded in science and nature and dedicated to providing better nutrition for every step of life’s journey. The company takes pure and clean ingredients including milk, whey and grains and uses expert knowledge and capabilities to produce high quality nutritional ingredients and branded consumer products for our customers and consumers worldwide.

Glanbia Performance Nutrition, located in Downers Grove, Illinois, is a wholly owned subsidiary of Glanbia. GPN’s brand portfolio consists of – Optimum Nutrition, BSN, Isopure, Think!, Nutramino, Body & Fit, LevlUp, Amazing Grass and SlimFast, each with its own brand essence. GPN manufactures and markets the full range of performance nutrition and lifestyle products including protein, pre-workout, muscle gainers, ready-to-eat snacks, and plant based products. Our products are sold through several channels including specialty retail, online, gyms and FDM in a variety formats including powders, bars and Ready-to-Drink beverages. GPN has a global and expanding footprint with a current in-market presence in 24 countries.

Glanbia Performance Nutrition has seen consistent double-digit growth which has been achieved both organically and through acquisitions. Today, GPN has approximately $1.7B in revenue and 2,500 employees worldwide. With state-of-the-art production facilities occupying over 500,000 square feet of operating space, GPN is the only sports nutrition company to manufacture and market items in every product category.

As the parent of Glanbia Performance Nutrition, Glanbia Plc is a global performance nutrition and ingredients group with leading market positions in cheese, whey proteins, sports nutrition and micronutrient premixes headquartered in Kilkenny, Ireland. Glanbia Plc has over 6,000 employees in 34 countries worldwide. Its products are sold or distributed in over 130 countries. The company is organized into a number of divisions; Glanbia Performance Nutrition (GPN), Glanbia Nutritionals, Glanbia Ireland and also a number of joint ventures. Revenues for Glanbia plc are approximately $5.9B. For more information visit the company website at: www.glanbia.com

Job Summary

Our R&D team is looking for a Director of International, RTE, & Product Efficiency to become a key member of the R&D senior leadership team reporting to the Vice President of R&D. This person will work alongside the R&D Leadership team to ensure that: business’ growth and innovation agenda are supported, the R&D strategy is fit for purpose, future technical needs are identified, that initiatives are prioritized and resourced accordingly. The role will also be a key driver in leading internal initiatives for team growth, development, and communication.

This role will be the primary leader and oversee all R&D activities within the International region, RTE and caps/tabs applications, & product efficiency. Within these spaces, this person will be responsible for RTE and caps/tabs from conceptualization through commercialization, they will drive awareness and the identification of new technologies, ingredients, and partners to meet business needs. They will be the primary contact for all second sourcing and productivity projects, requiring strong business skills to continually assess opportunities and work cross functionally to ensure alignment within projects. Finally, they will have a direct responsibility for International Applications (Powders, RTDs, RTE, Tabs/Caps), leveraging the support of the wider R&D team to meet the needs of the regions and working closely with international colleagues to meet both tactical and strategic objectives.

Our business is exciting, dynamic, and growing, we are looking for a dedicated leader to possess a flexible and nimble mindset as priorities, opportunities, and external conditions are constantly evolving. Cultural fit is important to us; our people, teams, and values make us who we are. We are looking for a strong, inspirational team leader that can lead by example in a productive and inclusive way. Someone who empowers others, acts with positive intent, and has a passion for our brands and consumers is extremely important. 

Primary Responsibilities         

- Collaborate with Sr. R&D Leadership Team on the design and implementation of R&D strategy, prioritization, and team development opportunities.

- Lead RTE and Tabs/Caps applications team for the Americas and Internationally.

- Lead product efficiency applications initiatives.

- Champion GPN R&D Ways of working including but not limited to SOPs, protocols, and testing criteria.

- Support the optimization of systems & processes to support team and business.

- Lead IP management for all RTE initiatives and all International applications formats.

- Accountable for managing team performance, ensuring delivery of business objectives, and quality of work.

- Develop and maintain external relationships within International and Americas regions.

- Build regional support networks in Asia, Canada, EU, LATAM, and emerging markets.

- Prioritize team activities to align with business needs and objectives and ensuring the team is resourced adequately.

- Support the professional and technical development of their team and the wider R&D team.

Requirements:

- Bachelor’s of science in Food Science & Technology, Food Engineering, or other related technical degrees.

- Advanced degrees in these or related fields are welcomed.

- Minimum of 15 years in an R&D-centric applications role leading ingredient selection, formulation, scaling and commercializing products.  

- Must have experience working in the CPG industry internationally.

- B2B is a plus but not required.

- Expert in RTE applications.

- Experience in Tabs/Caps, powders and RTD formats.

- Minimum 10 years in a management role and leading R&D teams with demonstrated results.

- Strong analytical, critical thinking, and project management skills.  

- Solution oriented, strategic thinker, clear decision maker.  

- Strong collaborator and able to inspire and communicate to teams clearly.  

- Passionate about talent development and collaboration across team to drive results.

- Strong business acumen.