R&D DIRECTOR, PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT- ALCOHOL READY TO DRINK CATEGORY

Please note.
This is NOT a Marketing or IT role.
Lead the top and bottom-line growth agenda for the alcoholic ready-to-drink category with a focus on the multisensory experiences platform globally.
This role is responsible for front end innovation and consumer led technology strategy as well for co-building and directing a robust 2+ year innovation pipeline of global and regional reach in partnership with Marketing, Strategy, Human Insights, Supply Chain and Research-to-Experimentation.
Category Pipelines are expected to deliver sufficiency to drive incremental growth from Innovation, as well as continuity, and productivity solutions.
Accountable for category product and package competitive benchmarking in key markets ensuring our portfolio remains highly competitive.
Orchestrator of multiple TI&SC function subject-matter experts and leaders, such as Process Development, TCR, Packaging, SRA, QSE, SC, FM, CPS to identify fit-for-purpose concepts and protocepts, which could be then deployed through viable sustainable solutions into the markets by the R&D Center teams.
Responsible for identifying and enable execution of the next RtE pipeline that can help step change of the growth of the category.
Focus Areas Key areas of focus of this role can be summarized as follows.
Develop innovation strategies (product, package, and equipment) in partnership with Category teams to deliver 2+ year pipeline for growth, productivity, and continuity plans for category.
Collaborate closely with Research to Experimentation team to design and develop scalable solutions for next generation of category products via rigorous due diligence (clinical trials, consumer research and other scientific studies).
Collaborate with global and regional SRA teams to get ahead of novel ingredients' approval through appropriate agencies (FDA, EFSA etc.).
Develop and deliver a robust Ingredient Productivity Pipeline in partnership with R&D centers.
Define an annual business plan for the category to deliver commitments, with clear metrics.
Partner with GDI R&D Tech Center Alcoholic ready-to-drink Category leader to leverage project management routines to deliver global/regional/local innovations.
Ensure technical efforts on the category are informed by consumer insights, business models and important technology trends to deliver advantaged solutions.
Establish and maintain process and routines for cross-functional inclusion in technical innovation strategy development, planning and project execution.
Monitor external environment to identify threats and opportunities for category.
Define R&D resourcing requirements to deliver global and regional pipelines.
Lead and direct a geographically dispersed and multi-functional team.
Identify and enable execution of the next RtE pipeline that can help step change of the growth of the category.
New IP/patent development together with RtE.
Utilize fit for purpose experimentation processes to test and validate opportunities with consumers to build out the pipeline.
Job requirements & Related Work Experience.
Full English Proficiency 10+ years beverage industry experience in multinational company.
At least 6+ years product development or research experience with expertise in alcoholic beverages or alcoholic ready-to-drink category.
Experience leading global teams and working across multiple geographies.
Understanding of system economics, value chains, risk management, risk mitigation and system communication.
Demonstrated ability to connect across organization lines, regardless of reporting relationships.
Multiple projects management experience is preferred.
Ability to travel globally, up to 40% of time.
Competency.
Functional Skills Required in Technical Competency and Credibility Business Acumen, Strong Leadership, Management, and Influencing Skills Effective English communication skill Leadership Behaviors.
DRIVE INNOVATION.
Generate new or unique solutions and embrace new ideas that help sustain our business (encompassing everything from continuous improvement to new product and package innovation).
COLLABORATE WITH SYSTEM, CUSTOMERS, AND OTHER STAKEHOLDERS.
Develop and leverage relationships with stakeholders to approximately stretch and impact the System (Company and Bottler).
ACT LIKE AN OWNER.
Deliver results, creating value for our Brands, our System, our customers, and key stakeholders.
INSPIRE OTHERS.
Inspire people to deliver our mission, demonstrate passion for the business, and give people a reason to believe anything is possible.
DEVELOP SELF AND OTHERS.
Develop self and support others' development to achieve full potential.
Growth Behaviors.
GROWTH MINDSET.
Demonstrates curiosity.
Welcomes failure as a learning opportunity.
SMART RISK.
Makes bold decisions/recommendations.
EXTERNALLY FOCUSED.
Understands the upstream and downstream implications of his/her work.
Tracks and shares external trends, best practices or ideas.
PERFORMANCE DRIVEN AND ACCOUNTABLE.
Has high performance standards.
Outperforms her/his peers.
FAST/AGILE.
Removes barriers to move faster.
Experiments and adapts.
Thrives under pressure and fast pace.
EMPOWERED.
Brings solutions instead of problems.
Challenges the status quo.
Has the courage to take an unpopular stance.
What We Can Do for You Experiences.
with a global organization and the opportunity to learn and grow.
Innovative Technology.
We utilize and lead the market with our large Supply Chain network and state-of-art technology.
Compensation & Benefits.
Competitive benefits package that start on day one of employment.
Skills.
Agile, Agile, Beverage Industry, Category Growth Strategy, Communication, Consumer Research, Experimentation, Food Technology, Front End Innovation, Ideation, Influencing, Innovation Pipeline Development, Innovation Strategies, Leadership, Leading by Influence, Long Term Planning, Negotiation, New Product Development, People Management, Product Commercialization, Product Development Lifecycle, Project Management, Relationship Management, Researching, Supply Chain Strategies {+ 2 more} Skills.
Chemistry; Product Development; Continual Improvement Process; Research and Development Operations; Environmental Science; Microbiological Test; Waterfall Model; Food Sciences; Food Technology; Communication; Food Safety and Sanitation; Laboratory Testing; Data Compilation; Quality Control (QC); Green Solutions; Sensory Testing