Senior Cheese R&D & Innovation Leader

Glanbia; Twin Falls (ID); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Glanbia is seeking a senior researcher to oversee the Cheese Innovation Center and lead a team of R&D scientists in developing value-added cheese products. You will drive collaboration with marketing, sales, customers, and universities to identify new markets and accelerate product and process innovations.

You will develop analytical methods, manage safety programs, and apply advanced theories to create competitive, market-leading cheese solutions.

Qualifications

• Ph.D./Masters with 5+ years dairy/cheese R&D experience or equivalent.
• Experience managing pilot plant operations and staff.
• Familiarity with key vendors of functional ingredients for food processing.
• Knowledge of statistical experimental design and data interpretation.
• Demonstrated analytical expertise in cheese/dairy chemistry and test development.
• Strong scientific writing and presentation abilities.
• Ability to collaborate with universities on new technologies in cheese production.
• Knowledge of cheese composition and labeling regulations.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the Cheese R&D Scientists and CIC staff.
• Collaborate with Marketing and Sales to identify new markets via value-added products.
• Coordinate with customers, universities, and industry to develop new cheese products/processes.
• Develop analytical and processing methods to characterize products and enable new manufacturing capabilities.
• Apply new theories to create innovative products and processes for competitive edge.
• Oversee scheduling and prioritization of CIC activities.
• Manage the CIC's food safety plan and pilot plant programs.
• Lead safety training in coordination with EH&S.
• Liaise with academics to summarize tech updates on strategic issues.
• Support PDP processes and provide performance feedback and disciplinary input.
• Prepare reports on lab tests, trials, and next steps impacting business initiatives.
• Synthesize literature and expert ideas for project advancement.
• Lead customer projects and plant trials, delivering viable solutions with customers.
• Provide technical dairy nutrition and labeling information to QA and sales.

Skills

Pilot plant experience

Statistical design of experiments

Cheese and dairy chemistry

Analytical testing methods

Scientific writing/presentations

University collaboration

Regulatory labeling knowledge

Education

Ph.D. in food science or dairy science

Master’s in food science or related field

Job description

Glanbia is seeking a senior researcher to oversee the Cheese Innovation Center and lead a team of R&D scientists in developing value-added cheese products. You will drive collaboration with marketing, sales, customers, and universities to identify new markets and accelerate product and process innovations.

You will develop analytical methods, manage safety programs, and apply advanced theories to create competitive, market-leading cheese solutions.