Director, Research & Development (Principal Scientist)

Agropur Cooperative; Eden Prairie (MN); On-site; USD 153,700 - 192,100; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Retirement plan 401(k)

Paid time off

Paid holidays and floating holidays

Parental leave

Advancement opportunities

Job summary

Agropur Cooperative in Eden Prairie, MN, seeks a Director of Research & Development (Principal Scientist) to lead the dairy science agenda, drive innovation, and align technical ambitions with business goals.

You will build partnerships with universities and industry, oversee tech scouting, guide investments, and support commercialization while mentoring teams and influencing senior leaders.

Qualifications

• Advanced degree in Dairy or Food Science or related discipline.
• 15+ years in dairy R&D, innovation, product development, or scientific leadership.
• Proven track record leading innovation programs and translating science into business value.
• Experience in regulated food industries; US/Canada market experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead R&D strategy and innovation initiatives for dairy products.
• Oversee technology scouting and partnerships with academia and industry.
• Govern R&D investments and support commercialization efforts.

Skills

Dairy science expertise

Product development

Research leadership

Academic collaboration

Regulatory knowledge

Excellent communication

Strategic thinking

Cross-functional leadership

Education

M.S./Ph.D. in Dairy/Food Science

Job description

## Director, Research & Development (Principal Scientist)Postulerlocations: USA Minnesota Eden Prairietime type: Temps pleinposted on: Publié il y a 11 jour(s)job requisition id: JR33312## Type d'emploi:PermanentPeople are at the heart of our success. Our culture encourages collaboration, transparency, and accountability in order to generate value and achieve sustainable results. Being part of the team means committing to an environment where everyone’s impact truly matters.*Working at Agropur means contributing to stronger communities through dairy products.***An environment aligned with a clear purpose:*** Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Short and Long-term Disability Insurance* 401(k) with 7% company contributions* 3 weeks Paid Time Off* Paid holidays and 2 floating holidays* Paid parental leave* Advancement Opportunities* Salary range 008: $153,700-$192,100 (Salary will be determined based on skills, education, training & experience related to the position)**How you will contribute:*** Serve as the organization's leading dairy science expert and strategic advisor.* Drive innovation by identifying emerging technologies, scientific trends, and growth opportunities.* Develop innovation strategies that align technical capabilities with business objectives.* Build and leverage partnerships with universities, research organizations, and industry networks.* Lead technology scouting and evaluate opportunities for commercial application.* Prioritize and govern R&D investments to maximize business impact and resource effectiveness.* Support commercialization efforts through scientific expertise, technical risk assessment, and regulatory collaboration.* Foster knowledge sharing and innovation across business units.* Influence senior stakeholders and cross-functional teams to accelerate strategic initiatives and growth.**What will enable you to contribute:*** Advanced degree (M.S. or Ph.D.) in Dairy Science, Food Science, or a related discipline* 15+ years of experience in dairy research, innovation, product development, or scientific leadership* Broad expertise across dairy ingredients, cheese, fresh dairy products, and processing technologies* Proven track record leading innovation programs and translating scientific opportunities into business value* Strong portfolio management, prioritization, and stakeholder alignment capabilities* Experience managing external research partnerships and technology scouting initiatives* Strong business acumen and ability to influence senior leaders in a matrixed environment* Excellent communication and relationship-building skills* Experience within regulated food industries; Canadian and U.S. market experience preferred**A role that is meaningful and delivers lasting impact.**#LI-AL1*Agropur accueille des personnes de toutes origines et de tous horizons. Nous sommes fier.ère.s d'être un employeur avec une communauté diverse et nous nous engageons à offrir une expérience respectueuse et inclusive à tous les employé.e.s et candidat.e.s. Nous collaborerons donc avec les candidat.e.s qui demanderont des mesures d’adaptation. Prendre note qu’une connaissance adéquate du français est requise pour les postes offerts au Québec. Agropur a recours à des technologies d’intelligence artificielle afin d’appuyer nos recruteurs dans la présélection, l’évaluation et la sélection des candidats à ce poste.**Dans ce texte, l’emploi du masculin pour désigner des personnes n’a d’autres fins que celle d’alléger le texte. Conformément aux directives de l’OQLF, la connaissance de l’anglais est exigée pour ce poste afin de communiquer avec des collègues et des partenaires situés à l’extérieur du Québec.*