9/24/17
Conagra Brands (http://www.conagrabrands.com/careers)
Other
/yr
Full Time
Employee
Chicago
Illinois
United States
Conagra Brands has the most energized, highest-impact culture in Food. Our people persistently challenge and disrupt marketplace/business conventions and we are respected for our great brands, great Food, great margins and consistent results. Conagra Brands, be part of building something BIG.
Job Summary
Provide technical expertise and leadership on product development activities across all multiple product categories in support of the McDonald?s Business Unit. Carry out strategic initiatives that directly influence the achievement of business objectives. Effectively build and maintain strong relationships with both internal and external partners.
Position Responsibilities
Lead and carry out product development activities across multiple product categories including benchtop prototypes, hands on plant testing, scale-up and coordination of all aspects including nutrition information, ingredient statements, packaging and Labeling issue, sensory testing, customer required documentation, etc.
Support product development activities for secondary categories as needed
Work closely with the McDonald?s Culinary Team to translate Gold Standard recipes into commercially viable new products for McDonald?s across the globe.
Use influence management skills to lead enterprise Research, Quality & Innovation teams to develop new products and processes or improve existing products and processes.
Work with the plants to define quality standards for key attributes, write specifications, and assure that improvement/maintenance issues are handled correctly and within the timeframe required by McDonald?s.
Anticipate McDonald?s needs by identifying, testing and implementing continuous improvement, contingency improvement and cost savings opportunities.
Support the Field Service team to test and deliver restaurant innovation across all core product areas.
Work with MBU Culinary and Insights to proactively develop new products for McDonald?s while adhering to international regulatory requirements and McDonald?s strategic initiatives
Occasional customer presentations
Lead and partner with product development teams from other suppliers on continuous improvement projects for McDonald?s
Support focus groups, central location testing, sensory evaluation testing and market blitzes for new and core products
Participate at Regional and Worldwide McDonald?s conventions and meetings as appropriate.
Prepare written and oral technical presentations for internal and external customers.
Act as a subject matter expert in training management as well as hourly employees on technical issues that will aid in their decision-making and job performance and lead to higher quality products for the customer.
Design and improve sensory evaluation procedures for new and core products.
Up to 50% travel, primarily domestic
Position Qualifications
BS in Food Science or related field with a minimum of 5 years? experience in product development required, MS preferred
Experience with Foodservice product development, baked goods development and commercialization preferred
Experience supporting McDonald?s Menu Innovation process and knowledge of McDonald?s restaurant operations around the world strongly preferred
Excellent understanding of Food science and technology principles, and ability to apply them in product development and commercialization
Experience with a broad range of product categories
Understanding of generating nutrition information, ingredient statements, packaging and Labeling issues
Ability to taste and distinguish sensory characteristics of many different types of products
Ability to think creatively and innovatively with respect to both products, processes and execution at the restaurant level
Excellent ability to manage a large number of projects concurrently
Ability to influence enterprise RQI team
Global regulatory awareness
Knowledge of financial aspects of Food and restaurant business
Strong coordination skills and ability to excel in a fluid, cross-functional team environment
Must be well balanced between the strategic view of the work and the executional aspects of the job
Excellent communication (verbal and written) and influencing skills
Strong presentation skills both to customers and internal contacts
Ability to travel up to 50% of the time
Physical Requirements:
Exposure to manufacturing processes and equipment for periodic extended workdays
Ability to lift up to 60 lbs. on a regular basis
Driving a company or rental automobile 4 to 6 hours as needed
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Conagra Brands is an equal opportunity employer and considers qualified applicants for employment without regard to sex, race, color, religion, ethnic or national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, pregnancy, leave status, disability, veteran status, genetic information and/or any other characteristic or status protected by national, federal, state or local law.