Manager, Technical Applications – Food & Dairy Innovations

Grande Cheese Company; Fond du Lac (WI); On-site; USD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Grande Cheese Company in Fond du Lac, WI, seeks a Manager, Technical Applications to lead development of innovative dairy ingredient solutions. You will guide Applications Scientists, partner with Product Development, Sales, and Marketing, and translate technical expertise into commercial success.

The role requires strong leadership, deep dairy-focused product development experience, and ability to drive cross-functional projects with customers, with travel up to 30%.

Qualifications

• 4 Year / Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing, Business, or related field required.
• Six (6) or more years of experience in food product development, preferably with dairy or functional ingredients, or ingredient application.
• Experience managing technical teams and their performance through a performance management process.
• Successful management of a technical project portfolio to deliver sales success.

Responsibilities

• Lead a high‑performing team and foster collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement.
• Drive application development and commercialization efforts, partnering with R&D to evaluate and optimize ingredient performance.
• Serve as a trusted technical resource for customers and internal teams, providing solutions, training, and support that drive business growth.
• Manage strategic projects and application initiatives that expand market opportunities and support growth domestically and internationally.

Skills

Food product development

Team management

Project portfolio management

Communication skills

Microsoft Office

Willingness to travel

Education

Bachelor's degree in Marketing/Business

Master's degree in Food Science or related field

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

Grande Cheese Company in Fond du Lac, WI, seeks a Manager, Technical Applications to lead development of innovative dairy ingredient solutions. You will guide Applications Scientists, partner with Product Development, Sales, and Marketing, and translate technical expertise into commercial success.

The role requires strong leadership, deep dairy-focused product development experience, and ability to drive cross-functional projects with customers, with travel up to 30%.