As CEO, candidate must ensure that the Company has proper operations, controls, administrative and reporting procedures in place to effectively grow the business while ensuring operating efficiency. The overriding Company strategy will be to complement new business development activities via: new product development, business, and customer group (market share) acquisitions and the creation of strategic business alliances. Accordingly, the organization will be looking for someone with a "big picture" view, with an operational background, but who is accustomed to “rolling up their sleeves” to capitalize on opportunities and effectively manage growth. The ideal candidate is entrepreneurial yet knows the critical importance of financial and operational disciplines and controls. Previous experience in food products manufacturing or distribution is necessary.

The VP of Engineering provides the vision and direction for the future of an organizations engineering processes and technologies, ensuring the organization maintains / advances their competitive advantages in key categories.  Critical to the role is developing and managing the overall capital spend budget, overseeing cost reduction efforts to hit annual and long-term targets, ensuring manufacturing best practices such as CQV are in place, ensuring plants deliver on product, process, packaging and cost parameters as defined

The VP of R&D/CTO leads a diverse, cross-functional R&D team of professionals across the following disciplines: Culinary, Product Development, Process Technology, Packaging Development and Nutrition and Regulatory Functions. This position normally reports directly to the CEO and likely partners with the Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) as well as other executives. This position develops and implements strategies to deliver short and long-term innovation portfolio, as well as maintaining product preference for all categories. The R&D function usually supports entry into new markets by developing the product portfolio as well as the manufacturing process.

This position will be responsible for all activities at all plants. The position will normally have direct reporting responsibility for both plant managers, engineering/continuous improvement. The position would also have direct responsibility for the contract manufacturing team. The candidate will normally work closely with the VP of Operations so expectations and go forward activities are fully aligned across the plants. The position will have full alignment with QA, procurement and R&D on all business activities as well as goals and objectives.

The VP of QA and Food Safety oversees the Quality Assurance staff,  as well as the Food Safety & Regulatory staff, which is responsible for regulatory compliance, kosher, organic, halal, etc. certifications, and compliance with various customer quality programs.

The candidate will act as the subject matter expert on behalf of the organization for quality, food safety and regulatory compliance issues.

The VP Technical Services is responsible for all activities related to Research, Product Development and Quality Assurance. The position provides leadership for Company-wide research and development programs and activities including laboratory product development, field technical service and problem-solving support while promoting quality achievement and performance improvement across the organization.

The VP Technical Services will establish and maintain Company quality concepts and strategies and assist in the development of annual research and development plans including specific goals and objectives that ensure quality management systems are in place. The VP will ensure products consistently meet customer expectations and will utilize technology to minimize costs and maximize manufacturing capacities.

This position will be responsible for the direction of an organization will include planning, organization, direction and provide leadership necessary for achieving plant and corporate goals in the area of Safety, Warehouse, Transportation, Quality, Employee Relations, Performance and Cost.

Improvement of food quality, extension of food shelf life and making food more nutritious are just a few of the responsibilities of a Flavor Scientist. They specialize in creating food flavors as well as improving already established food flavors. Some Flavor Scientist also create flavors for medications. A strong sense of smell and taste is necessary to be a successful flavor scientist.

As the first line of defense pertaining to our food safety, Food Microbiologist primarily work to prevent food-borne diseases. The successful candidate will be experienced in studying spoilage, preservation and food poisoning.

Typically, Food Process Engineers research and develop new and existing processes and products. Candidates for this position can work in the chemical, food, pharmaceutical and biochemical industries.

The Food Safety Manager establishes and delivers food safety strategies. The right candidate will be able to lead multiple programs including Corporate Food Safety, Quality Systems as well as compliance of the Food Safety Modernization Act.

The successful candidate builds a talent pool that strengthens the food safety and quality assurance function. Thorough analysis, appropriate corrective action and follow-up the organizations best practices remain consistent.

Packaging engineers must be able cover a wide range of considerations from conceptualization of food product packaging to product placement into the supply chain right through to store display. Successful packaging engineers must have a complete understanding of a broad set of disciplines including industrial design, packaging science, packaging technology, engineering, safety, material science, marketing and logistics to name a few.

The Plant Manager will plan, organize, direct and provide leadership necessary of the achievement of all plant and the organizations goals in the area of safety, quality, employee relations, performance and cost.

A plant manager is responsible for the successful attainment of production objectives as well as implementation of policies. They also must have the ability to effectively utilize available resources and facilities.

The plant manager will plan, schedule and direct the operation of equipment and facilities to insure safe and cost-efficient operations. As part of the responsibilities, management of the annual budget is required as well as management of capital assets.

A successful candidate for a quality assurance position must know that achievement of quality assurance is done by establishing good management systems and assessing its viability. Everyone involved in developing a product is ultimately responsible for its quality assurance.

Food manufacturers require someone on staff that can act as a link between the company and regulatory authorities such as FDA and the USDA. Their task is to ensure that the products manufactured are in compliance with all legislation.

A successful candidate must be comfortable studying scientific and legal documents as well as understanding them and able to communicate the pertinent information to necessary staff.

The regulatory affairs manager must also be able to gather, organize and manage information into various formats.

What skills does a food scientist working in research and development need? A successful Director or Manager of Research and Development must have skills in food design, food formulation, food processing concepts and techniques.

It is also important that the successful candidate be well versed in safety concepts, sensory process as well as package design. Most importantly, those working in R&D will be overseeing production or process trials which includes the planning and organization of the trials.

A sensory scientist is the individual in the research and development department who is the liaison between R&D and the consumer. Through testing, they determine what the consumer wants. Years ago, tests were done in malls, asking shoppers or others to taste and or smell a few different varieties of the same product, and getting their taste preferences. But in current day, sensory science has become a much more sophisticated science.  It has become a critical role R&D, as the information they can provide can start the product development process on the right path. A sensory scientist works as a partner with product development teams, providing cross functional support to teams by designing, executing, analyzing and reporting all kinds of tests; descriptive analysis, shelf life testing, discrimination testing and consumer research.