Lead R&D Processes & Work Systems

Royal Canin USA Inc; Battle Creek (MI); On-site; USD 79,000 - 109,000; Full time

Job summary

Royal Canin USA Inc. is seeking a Lead R&D Processes & Work Systems to drive adoption, performance and continuous improvement of R&D business processes across regions. You will translate standards into practical routines, governance and capability building to ensure consistent execution.

The role partners with cross-functional teams to monitor process maturity, data requirements and performance, and to sustain improvements through governance and ongoing activation of best practices.

Qualifications

• Education in engineering, food science, operations or business.
• Experience in process improvement, work systems or operational excellence.
• Strong governance routines and change management in a matrix environment.
• Ability to translate standards into practical execution and coach teams.
• Exposure to R&D systems, data requirements or regulated environments.

Responsibilities

• Lead activation of work system elements such as standard work and governance routines.
• Coach teams to adopt required ways of working and build capability.
• Partner with BPOs to convert standards into practical routines and operating mechanisms.
• Track maturity, adherence and performance indicators and close gaps.
• Coordinate with regions to embed global standards locally without losing control points.
• Ensure data requirements are understood and data is available at source.
• Lead root cause analysis and cross-functional improvement initiatives.

Skills

Process improvement

Governance

Change management

Data requirements

Cross-functional collaboration

Root cause analysis

Coaching / training

Education

Degree in Engineering, Food Science, Operations or Business

Job description

Job Description:

Job Purpose/Overview

The Lead R&D Processes & Work Systems drives adoption, performance and continuous improvement of R&D business processes and work systems across assigned areas. The role translates approved standards into practical routines, governance and capability building so that process expectations are consistently sustained in execution.

Key Responsibilities

Work Systems Leadership & Capability Building

• Lead activation of work system elements such as standard work, maturity expectations, governance routines, problem solving and continuous improvement practices.
• Build capability through training, coaching and communities of practice so teams can adopt and sustain required ways of working.

Process Adoption & Performance

• Partner with BPOs to convert approved process standards, controls and evidence requirements into practical routines and operating mechanisms.
• Track maturity, adherence and process performance indicators and drive actions to close gaps.

Regional Integration & Sustainment

• Coordinate with regions and local stakeholders to embed global standards into local execution without losing core control points.
• Support implementation of process changes into BAU and reinforce sustained use through governance and follow‑through.

Data & Performance Integration

• Ensure data requirements are understood in execution and that process teams are equipped to create complete, accurate and timely data at source.
• Surface recurring execution or data barriers and coordinate corrective action with process owners and data roles.

Continuous Improvement & Cross‑Functional Alignment

• Lead root cause analysis and practical improvement work across processes, systems and routines.
• Partner with deployment, data, analytics and technical teams to reinforce an integrated operating model.

Context and Scope

Explain how the job gets done and the way it operates within the team and with stakeholders

This role bridges process ownership and execution. It is differentiated from deployment roles by its primary focus on sustainment, maturity and ongoing work system adoption rather than program rollout management; and from T3 roles by its focus on localized application rather than global strategy or standard ownership.

Job Specifications/Qualifications

Education & Professional Qualifications Preferred- Degree in Engineering, Food Science, Operations, Business or equivalent experience.

Knowledge / Experience - Experience in process improvement, work systems, operational excellence or structured capability deployment.

• Strong understanding of governance routines, standard work and behavioral change in a matrix environment.
• Ability to translate standards into practical execution and coach teams to adopt them.
• Exposure to R&D systems, quality expectations, data requirements or regulated environments preferred.
• Experience using performance measures and root cause methods to improve execution preferred.

Competencies:

• Manages Complexity
• Drives Results
• Ensures Accountability
• Builds Networks
• Collaborates

Other -

Global or multi‑regional scope; travel as required

The base pay range for this position at commencement of employment is between the range listed below, however, base pay offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, including but not limited to job‑related knowledge, skills, and experience.The total compensation package for this position will include variable pay, medical and dental benefits, participation in 401k plan, and paid time off benefits.Details of participation in these benefit plans will be provided if an applicant receives an offer of employment.

The pay range shown is applicable to all US locations listed within the job posting:USD 79,280.00 - USD 109,010.00