Director, Product Development & Innovation Center

Alcorn State University; Lorman (MS); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Alcorn State University is seeking a Director for the Product Development Center in Mississippi. Lead education programs, workshops, certifications, demonstrations, and training opportunities to connect agricultural production with value-added processing and market access.

You will drive revenue-generating activities, oversee facilities and equipment, and build collaborations with faculty, students, producers, and industry partners to advance the university's land-grant mission.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant food/agriculture field.
• Experience in food processing, product development, or agricultural innovation.
• Experience managing facilities, equipment, or technical operations.
• Strong organizational, communication, and leadership skills.

Responsibilities

• Plans and executes a year-round calendar of educational programs, workshops, certifications, demonstrations, and training opportunities.
• Identifies opportunities for revenue through fee-for-service activities, training, facility use, partnerships, grants, and related initiatives.
• Develops programs connecting agricultural production with value-added processing, entrepreneurship, marketing, and market access.
• Ensures Center serves producers and businesses, not just as a facility for use.
• Maintains inventory and schedules maintenance of equipment and facilities.
• Establishes preventative maintenance and coordinates repairs.
• Ensures compliance with university policies and safety/regulatory requirements.
• Directly supervises PDC personnel and sets performance expectations.
• Develops staff through training and professional development.
• Positions the PDC as a working lab and innovation center that demonstrates the land-grant mission.
• Develops opportunities for faculty, students, researchers, producers, and industry partners to conduct applied research and product development.
• Creates opportunities for hands-on experience in food processing, product development, entrepreneurship, marketing, and QA.

Skills

Leadership

Organizational skills

Communication skills

Project management

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Animal Science, Agricultural Science, Agribusiness, or related field

Job description

Alcorn State University is seeking a Director for the Product Development Center in Mississippi. Lead education programs, workshops, certifications, demonstrations, and training opportunities to connect agricultural production with value-added processing and market access.

You will drive revenue-generating activities, oversee facilities and equipment, and build collaborations with faculty, students, producers, and industry partners to advance the university's land-grant mission.