Sr. Manager, Product Development (R&D)

ABOUT THE COMPANY

Founded in 1888, Lee Kum Kee, a Hong Kong-based global food company, specializes in creating condiments and sauces that promote Chinese cuisine worldwide. With more than 200 products to choose from, Lee Kum Kee takes the mystery out of cooking authentic and delicious Asian foods in the comfort of your kitchen. Lee Kum Kee is committed to providing authentic and innovative condiments and sauces featuring the highest quality ingredients. Armed with a unique management culture, stringent quality control, superb and innovative products, coupled with the century-long brand reputation, Lee Kum Kee has achieved unanimous recognition and won numerous prestigious awards.

Lee Kum Kee (USA) Inc., a division of Lee Kum Kee International Holdings Ltd., has its headquarters and manufacturing facilities in Southern California with more than 300 employees. We are looking for the best and brightest talents to join our company and work together to bring the next level of success!

BENEFITS

• Medical, dental, life insurance covered by the company
• 401(k) retirement plan with company match
• Two (2) weeks vacations
• Ten (10) paid holidays
• Hybrid work schedule available after 90 days

POSITION SUMMARY

Product Development (R&D) leader of U.S. Mainstream market. Transform/Shape a holistic portfolios for U.S. Mainstreams through impactful innovation and product optimization.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• This is a Key PDC Role in Partnering to sharp up the future strategic approach, portfolio and partnership in delivering to the future of ultimately the financial targets of the company and sustainable longer-term growth.
• Work closely with Zone PDC and I&Q Global team in deep dive mainstream consumer needs, product innovation approach/methodology for mainstream, and execute/deploy strategic product innovations projects.
• To partner with MKT and be in the forefront to develop innovation pipeline and manage Innovation agendas for U.S. mainstream retail.
• Lead technical team to ensure on time in full technical deliverables and efficient risk management.
• Lead holistic product optimization program to ensure product superiority, including product sensory performance, value improvement, claims capabilities, etc.
• To build constructive relationship and collaboration internally and externally to ensure smooth and high efficient way of workings.
• To constantly review the related R&D strategy to support the continuous growth of the business.
• To provide technical support to customers and maximize LKK product advantage.

SUPERVISORY RESPONBILITIES

This position does not have immediate supervisory role yet will need to manage subordinates when the team expands as the business continues to grow. Supervisory role will include but not limit to the performance management and hiring of the employees within that function.

COMPETENCIES

• Problem Solving
• Drive for Results
• Managing & Measuring Work
• Motivating Others

REQUIRED EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor of Science in Food Science, Food Processing or Food Chemistry or related discipline.
• At least 6 years of product formulation experience with priority categories in the U.S.
• Deep understanding of flavor landscape for priority categories in the U.S. mainstream market.
• 5 years of progressive technical management experience in a FMCG operation with both B2B and B2C experience ideally. A solid understanding of the product costing, operation and new product development a must.
• Strong planning, communication, negotiation and interpersonal skills to bring the technology value to achieve business goals.
• Thorough knowledge of raw material, food packaging, food safety system to assure the compliance of product to specifications and regulations.
• Flexible and adaptable to maximize the company’s strength in meeting the needs of our customers.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively negotiate both internally and externally leading to critical results.
• Keen sense of business objective and be able to sort through complex situations to resolve issues and aggressively achieve objectives consistently.

LANGUAGE SKILLS

• The individual must possess excellent written and verbal communication and presentation skills in English to communicate clearly, accurately and with impact.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS

• Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals.
• Ability to compute rates, ratios, and percentages and draw and interpret bar graphs.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Regularly required to use hands and fingers to perform daily job functions (such as using a computer keyboard, cell phone, and office equipment).
• Required to stand, sit, kneel, stoop or walk; talk or hear; and taste or smell when performing essential job functions (such as visiting customer sites, interacting with users, and traveling in vehicles).
• Occasional lifting and/or moving up to 50 pounds may be necessary (such as moving products or samples.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.

• The employee is regularly exposed to wet and/or humid conditions; high, precarious places; fumes or airborne particles; toxic or caustic chemicals.
• The noise level in the work environment is usually loud.
• The individual will handle and is exposed to allergenic and sensitive materials, such as soy, wheat, milk, seafood, nuts, sulfites, etc.

It is Lee Kum Kee’s policy to seek and employ the most qualified persons in all jobs in a manner which will ensure equal employment opportunity as well as administer personnel actions in a manner as to not discriminate against any person on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, disability or protected veteran status. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.