What are the responsibilities and job description for the Vice President of Innovation position at Executive Leaders Search?
Job Title : Vice President of Innovation
Location : Elma, NY
About the Company
A leading company in the plant-based food and beverage industry is seeking a Vice President of Innovation to drive its research and development efforts. The company is recognized for its commitment to clean-label ingredients, cutting-edge processing technologies, and superior product quality . With a strong heritage in food and beverage manufacturing, the company is dedicated to redefining plant-based nutrition through groundbreaking innovation and consumer-centric solutions
Position Overview
The Vice President of Innovation will lead and oversee all aspects of product development, R&D, and commercialization , ensuring the company remains at the forefront of food and beverage innovation. This role will be responsible for developing and executing the innovation roadmap, from concept ideation to market launch, while collaborating with R&D, marketing, operations, and sales to deliver differentiated and scalable products.
Key Responsibilities
- Strategic Leadership
Develop and execute a long-term innovation strategy, identifying breakthrough opportunities in
plant-based foods, functional ingredients, and sustainable packaging
Lead the formulation, testing, and commercialization of new food and beverage products, ensuring they meet regulatory, nutritional, and sensory requirements.
Drive advancements in food processing techniques to improve product
texture, functionality, and nutritional value
Leverage data-driven insights to identify emerging trends and white space opportunities.
Work closely with marketing, supply chain, operations, and sales teams to ensure smooth product launches.
Establish and manage relationships with
universities, research institutions, ingredient suppliers, and co-manufacturers to accelerate innovation.
Ensure all products comply with
FDA, USDA, and international food regulations while supporting sustainability initiatives.
Build and mentor a high-performing R&D team, fostering a culture of
curiosity, creativity, and excellence
Qualifications & Experience
Bachelor's or master’s degree in
Food Science, Chemistry, Engineering, or a related field (PhD preferred but not required).
Proven track record in
plant-based food and beverage development, functional ingredients, and / or alternative proteins
Strong understanding of
food chemistry, sensory evaluation, ingredient functionality, and processing technologies
Experience driving
innovation strategies, managing large product portfolios, and leading cross-functional teams
Familiarity with
FDA, USDA, non-GMO, organic, and clean-label compliance standards
Ability to think
disruptively and bring new-to-market innovations to life
Exceptional ability to
influence and work across teams, from R&D to executive leadership.
Why Join?
Competitive compensation and benefits offered.
