Purpose of the Position

This position oversees the development of new products, commercialization & innovation activities of the Company, part of the core leadership team. This position has global responsibility for the development and optimization of new or existing products and formats to meet strategic business objectives supporting the corporate strategic plan. The individual is responsible to optimize and validate existing products both from a product quality and product consistency standpoint. The Director will develop project designs, manage the scope of projects including timelines and budget, and assign responsibility to direct report personnel. The Director must assure a close working relationship with the Nutrition, Quality & Regulatory Affairs departments to assure nutritional adequacy, safety and efficacy of functional foods, and with the Operations groups to ensure optimization of plant processes.

Essential Position Responsibilities - This is a Salary Exempt position.

Portfolio Management. Optimize & maintain a balance of projects which meet short and long term needs to support strategic business objectives, considering the limitations imposed by available resources. Develop and implement a technology and portfolio strategy to align with the business strategy. Ensure balance of new & replacement projects as well as internal (supply chain) and external customer needs. Participate and often lead the R&D deep dive meetings and Product Review as part of the S&OP process to ensure balance is maintained to the extent possible. Identify technical knowledge gaps and ensure plans are in place to close them. Maintain a robust innovation funnel to change over time from a customer pull to push activity by developing prototypes for review.

Project Management. Supports and ensures that the NPD process is being followed by Simmons team members and that roles and responsibilities of customer staff members and Simmons employees are clearly defined. Monitors project performance with respect to timing and cost parameters which are agreed upon at the project initiation. Enact containment and/or countermeasures to react quickly to milestone non conformances to meet ultimate project objectives. Suspend or Cancel projects as necessary to reduce non productive activities. Compiles after-market review including analytical results and consumer comments as well as product marketplace performance to evaluate project success. Enforce problem solving including countermeasures in subsequent projects to encourage continuous improvement and quality by design.

Technical Leadership. Directly responsible for research, development and evaluation of products, including nutritional, sensory and shelf life studies, gathering data, analysis, and compilation of reports and recommendations. Develop a creative innovation platform that leverages market data and observations as well as the capabilities of the larger cross-functional group to improve the quality of projects at the start of the development funnel. Participate in the evaluation of new equipment which may provide the Company with product differentiation or which is required to produce new physical targets in the marketplace. Develop and maintain a portfolio of prototypes/photographs and presentations which demonstrate the range of Company capabilities with respect to processing/physical appearance. Stays abreast of technological advances in the meat, food, and pet food industries.

Manage Department/Staffing. Set clear personal & department objectives and review performance against them. Mutually set growth & improvement plans including training needs. Review department requirements versus staffing levels and make recommendations to supervisor relative to future needs. Develop & implement succession planning and career pathing, including identification of key consultants, to maintain continuity of R&D quality output over the long term. Effectively delegates opportunities which arise to appropriate functional support groups. Encourages the behaviors of Lean Product Development principles.

Training. Ensures training of new personnel as well as continuous enhancement of staff skill sets through mentoring, supplier technical meetings, attendance at professional meetings or arrangement of inter divisional meetings within the Simmons organization. Utilize functional experts from other departments to enhance knowledge of other aspects of the business. Additionally enable skills training including experimental design, project management, technology development and problem solving.

Participates as a member of the Team. Participates in ongoing development, communication and implementation of team concepts, programs and policies; coordinates work to ensure best practices with all team members. Attends appropriate team meetings. As a member of the Team, fosters strong cohesiveness regarding all major issues; e.g., direction, annual plan, budget, policy changes, etc. Accepts responsibility to quickly identify any areas that lack cohesiveness, bringing them to the attention of the team leader and working with the team in a supportive manner to resolve issues and actively look for ways, and reinforces actions needed, to achieve synergy possible within the larger organization.

Simmons Operating systems principles and objectives: Is familiar with Simmons’ established operating systems (e.g. quality, security, office environment, company policies); understands the responsibility to maintain familiarity with the systems and this position’s role in support of these systems - including a consideration of the impact of individual actions on the systems and the responsibility to communicate concerns and improvement ideas.

Performs other duties as necessary in support of business objectives: This position description is intended to guide activities and is not intended to limit the thinking and creativity of the person to the work of this function nor is it intended that this describe all the work that may be required of the person in this position. Commitment to quality and continuous improvement in all aspects of the business is essential.

Physical Activities: Must be able to work on a computer for an extensive amount of time. Must be able to stand or walk for many hours in any of our production facilities.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): As needed in required environment.

Travel: Travels domestically to and from multiple facilities or work-sites or customer visits, often requiring overnight stays. Approximately 30% travel.

Technical Experience: 15+ years industry experience in product development, including strong experience in R&D management (may include time as a graduate student in Ph.D. program). Problem solving, decision making, conceptual and project management skills are essential.

Industry Experience: Preference for food and pet food experience. Individuals should be a recognized expert in their field of expertise.

Minimum Education: Depending on assigned business unit(s), Bachelor’s Degree in Food Science, Animal Science, Animal Nutrition, Meat Science or related degree. Required experience is balanced by education level.

Preferred Education: Related M.S or higher. Additional business management or related degrees.