Job Description:
Lead the R&D strategy and technical agenda for the Brazil BU in innovation, renovation, value engineering, product performance, and product improvement projects. Ensure best practices alignment, regulatory compliance, and food safety while guaranteeing financial and technical feasibility.
Be the focus point for the Brazilian business, WEEM Team, and cross-functional team members to drive excellence through strategic thinking and technical rigor. Cascading the R&D Strategy & best practices outside the region and connecting the team globally.
Ensure strong alignment on priorities, visibility of decision-making, and agreeing on boundaries for decision-making. Hire the best talents, retain them, and develop their careers.
Lead R&D projects for product and packaging development, including new ideas generation for innovation, value engineering, and product improvement pipelines.
Manage, develop, and train the R&D Team. Interface with the Manufacturing/Operations area to ensure standard definitions and products.
Interface with Marketing, Innovation, Commercial, and Procurement areas to define and approve Company standards.
Responsible for leading projects related to product performance improvements and value engineering, as needed, and in accordance with Brazilian legislation and company guidelines.
Actively participate in influencing the Supplier Homologation agenda, VE through specific technical forums.
Lead the future R&D agenda by prospecting with suppliers and KHC technology teams.
Lead internal R&D meetings to review and prioritize project activities and daily requests from other areas.
Establish an effective network with Global and WEEM teams for alignment and opportunities in projects.
Provide leadership with multifunctional and technical teams.
Ensure the area's budget and spending plan.
Participate in main technical forums on the food agenda as a KHC Interlocutor.
Ensure correct creation of ingredients, packaging, and finished product documentation.
Responsibilities:
* Fluent English (written and spoken).
* Experience in the consumer goods industry.
* Experience in packaging, sensory, physical, and chemical, or consumer.
* Management of people and cross-functional teams.
* Project management.
* Knowledge of main regulatory standards.
* Desirable experience in process tools, such as Kaizen.
* Communicative, organized, and agile.