Products Research Senior Scientist, Research & Development at The J.M. Smucker Company in Orrville, Ohio

Job Description:

TITLE

Products Research Senior Scientist, Research & Development

LOCATION

Orrville, Ohio

REPORTS TO

Senior Manager, Research & Development

POSITION SUMMARY

The R&D Senior Scientist in Products Research is responsible for understanding consumers' needs and translating them into technical requirements and consumer models to drive business impact . The incumbent will leverage technical thinking skills to bring together consumer needs and product possibilities into winning innovation. This position will have Products Research responsibility for projects or related programs within Consumer Foods and Away From Home (Food), including defining and executing the consumer methods used for insight understanding, product development, and qualification of projects.

The R&D Senior Scientist in Products Research will independently plan and execute research across multiple food categories and brands. The incumbent will build relationships with internal stakeholders and external suppliers, and will coach others in their area of expertise.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Build subject matter expertise on the consumers and products related to their projects




• Understand consumers' needs and lead translation of those needs to technical requirements




• In partnership with Innovation and Insights, develop and socialize consumer learning plans




• Actively collaborate and leverage relationships across functional teams to achieve established shared goals or objectives




• Lead category product learning for fundamental R&D product understanding




• Initiate, plan and lead internal and external research activities that guide current and future product and platform innovation




• Interpret research data, and present results to stakeholders to drive business decisions




• Interface directly with suppliers to develop Requests for Proposal and Statements of Work




• Accountable for all products research deliverables in support of Technical Readiness for projects they are supporting




• Work independently, guided by functional processes

SELECTION CRITERIA

Education

• A Bachelor's of Science degree in chemical engineering, chemistry or food science is required

Experience

• At least eight years of experience in the consumer products industry with project leadership is required




• Experience and formal training in Product Research, including both quantitative and qualitative research, is required




• Food R&D experience is a plus

Other

• Must have strong experience in Products Research within the Consumer Product Industry and a track record of leveraging this experience to develop, qualify, and launch innovation




• Comfortable analyzing complex data, preferably using statistical software




• Ability to cross-functionally communicate complex data, both verbally and via technical writing




• Ability to build strong relationships and collaborate across multiple functions




• Ability to thrive in a fast-pace environment, managing multiple projects simultaneously




• Self-motivated with the ability and desire to work independently




• Approximately 20% travel required