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ENGINEERINGUK

Director, Product Development, Alcohol Ready To Drink Category

ENGINEERINGUK, Atlanta, Georgia, United States, 30383


This Global Product Development position will lead priority Global and Co-Brand/ Partnership Alcoholic Ready-to-Drink (ARTD) and strategic product development initiatives in the Global Emerging pipeline development process. The role will collaborate closely with other Non-alcoholic Ready-to-Drink Trademark Product Development team members, as well as Global Spirit partners, in the product design, development, and optimization of Global co-brands based on consumer research. Developing and successfully managing a roadmap of these innovation projects will be important to deliver on the co-brand innovation strategy. By properly setting up, managing, analyzing, and scaling up Co-brand innovations, the role will enable achieving the category innovation and growth objectives.

Focus, Scope, & Impact:Execute the product development pipeline initiatives for the ARTD Co-brand portfolio: new products, reformulations, and application of new process/ingredient/alcohol base/flavor technologies, while liaising with partner company representatives, where applicable.Oversee coordination of pilot plant production of Global brands according to timelines and quantity needs.Design, produce, and evaluate/assess (e.g., through laboratory testing) a product prototype/sample against technical requirements, fit to concept or performance specifications (e.g., functionality and operational feasibility).Design, develop, conduct, and/or review experiments (e.g., laboratory or process experiments) to deliver new products; evaluate ingredient, product efficacy or claims; or evaluate new ingredients, materials, products, or processes. Write detailed and accurate reports for projects and plant trials (e.g. equipment validation, evaluation of new processes).Evaluate and recommend requirements for new alcohol product types where current capability does not exist.Liaise with all Global and Operating Unit technical resources required to fully develop and commercialize a product including but not limited to Technical Consumer Research, Quality, Scientific and Regulatory, Microbiology, engineering, package development and commercialization, manufacturing. Provide subject matter expertise for all formulations and product processing.Work with the Global Development and Innovation (GDI) Center and Regional leads and marketing to define the Co-brand product portfolio strategy. Liaise with Marketing in the development of concept briefs.Partner with Quality and Technical Capability leads in the development of robust Co-brand Technical Manuals that enable consistent and standardized execution of new Co-brand launches and new site qualification to standards and specifications.Support pre-commercialization test runs to ensure production capability as needed.Accountable for the product formulation and process design of the project delivery (Quality, timing & cost).Able to lead and deliver on multiple Global projects simultaneously.Able to make routine decisions independently. Consults line manager as appropriate on key milestones & general guidelines.Able to maintain strong adherence of the products to governance and approval requirements.Able to resolve technical challenges linked to formulation, process, ingredient variabilities, scale-up.Able to translate consumer test results and product sensory attributes into winning product propositions.Able to identify areas of improvement on product development, process, and communication routines.

KEY SUCCESS PARAMETERSExperience:10-15 years successful experience in product development in the beverage industry (alcoholic beverage experience strongly preferred).Educational requirements / qualifications:

bachelor's degree or master's degree in food science, engineering or related field.Functional Competencies:

Proficient - Beverage DevelopmentCompetent - Alcoholic Beverage DevelopmentCompetent - Alcoholic Base and Beverage ProcessingProficient - System dynamicWorking knowledge - MarketingWorking knowledge - Alcoholic beverage regulationsProficient - Project managementCompetent - CommunicationWorking knowledge - Sensory science / Consumer.

Cultural Diversity:

Fluent in English.Additional language is a plus.

Travel Requirements:

Up to 25%Work Focus:

Development of prototypes at lab scale, following all good manufacturing practices to ensure safety.Production of samples in the pilot plant, including leading product stability assessments.Filling accurately internal databases for stability tracking, formula database, project management tools.Precise description of manufacturing conditions, following strictly TCCC guidelines and recommendations from R&D Microbiologist and Technical PMO.Provide input of best practices for production of finished products during production trials, identifying ideal process and risks in case capabilities at the plant are not in place, with the support of manager and R&D microbiologist when applicable.Work in cross-functional team with Consumer Guidance to assure prototypes are developed leveraging science of taste.Be updated on the "New World of Risk" and take this into consideration in ingredient selection, formula and process design to ensure safety (e.g. allergen management, micro risks, product and raw materials sensitivities).Be externally focused, helping to identify new partners, technologies and ingredients that can bring competitive edge and screen/assess them internally, with manager support.Continuous curiosity on alcohol / ARTD industry competition activities and strategy and trends in the category, identifying growth opportunities with the support of manager.Strictly follows and understands good lab practice (5S) and internal procedures, following as a principle "safety first" in all that we do.

Communication Focus:

Lead the communication between Co-brand /Trademark / Partner R&D and the project team (project status, communicate potential issues, potential hurdles) with the support of the Category manager and Technical PMO as appropriate.Proactively provides advice within R&D community and project stakeholders.Develop and maintain internal and external network in area of responsibility.Cultivate good relationships with Marketing, Technical and Supply Chain functions, locally and globally.

Skills:

Product Development; Chemistry; Leadership; Waterfall Project Management; Continual Improvement Process; Environmental Science; Researching; Microbiology; Food Sciences; Food Technology; Communication; Laboratory Testing; Data Compilation; Quality Control (QC); Green Solutions; Food Safety Management; Sensory Testing.#J-18808-Ljbffr