Diretor P&D

About Kerry

Kerry is the world's leading taste and nutrition company for the food, beverage and pharmaceutical industries. Every day we partner with customers to create healthier, tastier and more sustainable products that are consumed by billions of people across the world. Our vision is to be our customers' most valued partner, creating a world of sustainable nutrition. A career with Kerry offers you an opportunity to shape the future of food while providing you opportunities to explore and grow in a truly global environment.

About the role

This is a key leadership role within LATAM and RD&A function that requires a strong commercial, visionary and people leader.   The primary role of this leader will be to ensure seamless execution of our commercial development being accountable for all RD&A activities in Brazil and South Cone, overseeing all the technologies related to the Meat, Food and Beverage End Use Market.

What would you do?

• Manage and deliver the execution of RDA projects to deliver against business strategy and growth target.
• Facilitate margin growth through ensuring day to day support from RD&A team.  Facilitates cross functional way of working ensuring all products are developed in line with Kerry pillars and growth strategies.
• Partner closely with the sub-region VP Sales for all matters related to RDA in the sub-region to ensure seamless execution of strategy, Customer requirements and opportunity pipeline delivery.     
• Manage subregional project pipeline delivery through their sub regional team and through engagement and driving broader regional R&D teams.       
• Review existing sub-regional structures and working with the Regional team, design and guarantee the best in class structure for to include right resource requirement - number, location and expertise.
•  Work with the technology business leads on maximizing return from RDA investments within the Technology and leads the R&D delivery of new technology in the region.
• Proactive member of sub-region LT & the regional RD&A Leadership Team with a focus to develop sub-Region and function priorities.
• Play a key role as a technical lead for select key accounts and remain as the main contact to drive consistency in sharing and improved service quality.
• Contribute to the development of the business strategy for the sub region in partnership with sub-region lead, strategic marketing.
• Support cross-technology development and creativity to drive efficiency and delivery of value.
• Leadership with a Customer Centric Mindset.

What will you need to be successful?

• BSc/MS degree from an accredited institution in Food Science, Chemistry, Biochemistry, Nutrition, or rother related science discipline. Higher degrees advantageous.
• 15+ years’ experience as functional/people leader.
• Industry/Sector Specific Experience: Extensive experience and knowledge of the food and beverage industry. Experience with exposure to Senior Leadership. Desirable experience in Taste. Other potential areas of interest: Biotechnology or Fermentation or Enzymes or Food Protection.
• Experience in Senior Management working in a Regional Leadership team in a matrixed organization.
• Experience leading team performance with a results-oriented mindset.
• Ability to lead, delegate, and influence cross-functional teams and strategies at multi levels within the organization.
• Excellent interpersonal, coaching, delegation, and conflict management skills
• Excellent communication skill, both written and verbal including ability to prepare executive business presentations, communicate strategies, and provide succinct and thorough executive briefings for business partners.
• Proven track record of driving continuous improvement and change management initiatives.
• Expert observation, risk analysis, judgment and business mindset.
• Direct customer experience essential whether in B2B or CBG retail format.