Customer Innovation & Technical Services Manager

About the role

The CI&TS Manager (Customer Innovation & Technical Services Manager) for Beverages in Kageröd function is responsible for the design, development and commercialization of customer driven projects, consumer innovation (internal) projects, business continuity (cost savings, product/process improvements, renovation, etc) activities and product portfolio expertise for the Beverage site in Kageröd. This role has leadership responsibility for a group of R&D Personnel to deliver on our Global Sweet Specialties targets. This role will manage a diverse set of programs and processes that encompass scale from bench to factory trials to commercialization in manufacturing, working cross functionally to ensure success.

Key Responsibilities include

• Leading the R&D personnel in meeting set goals, KPI Targets and project timelines. Responsible for the administration and technical direction of the R&D group. Managing projects directly as needed.
• Guiding teams on using sound product/project development principles to ensure thorough planning, manufacturable and food safe design, execution and reporting of project plans that demonstrate technical excellence. Ensuring Regulatory and Process Safety compliance for all product development
• Ensuring efficiency and quality of sample production and shipment
• Implementing and maintaining formal product development (NPI) process, leading team in use of the design thinking methodology model of DVF; Desirability, Viability, Feasibility and BC Stage Gate Method for any consumer innovation projects.
• Along with the operational local team (process and packaging) continuously develop the CI&TS Team’s Site Expert in product and process. Providing necessary product expertise support to internal (CSD, QA, Procurement, Sales, etc.) and external customers, vendors, clients when problems occur with products; Assuring development of internal and external clients’ relations and maintaining communication.
• Demonstrating excellent partnerships internally with product, ingredient, & packaging experts for integrated solution development, and with external partners (ie. ingredient and equipment suppliers) to leverage external expertise to create industry leading solutions.
• Working in close cooperation with the Sales, Customer R&D Managers and Marketing teams to best present innovative products that are in line with market trends and maintain good relationships with our customers. Lead presentations and conduct technical demonstrations.
• Managing & coaching team talent to grow R&D’s bench strength and leverage Barry Callebaut performance management tools with excellence
• Promoting and supporting business continuity efforts for the site; driving continuous improvement initiatives for processes, technologies, and organization.
• Part of the local management team, contributing to the success of the site.
• The position is based in Kageröd, Sweden.
• Along with the site plant manager, this role will be responsible for the shared management of any contracted CI&TS work.

About You

• Technical expertise in food industry R&D
• Academic food technology background
• Experience in packaging very beneficial
• Strong leadership and team management skills
• Proficiency in project management
• Knowledge of regulatory compliance in food product development
• Customer-focused approach
• Commitment to continuous improvement as relates to the CI&TS Team
• Excellent communication skills
• Experience in talent development
• Strategic thinking abilities and Strong analytical mind
• Be entrepreneurial in mindset, resolute, capable of working under pressure, and managing many projects simultaneously
• Software knowledge Word, Excel and PowerPoint; SAP and Salesforce experience a plus
• Be flexible
• Travel when and where needed to suppliers, internal cross functional teams, R&D in other locations, customers, etc.; approximation of 10-20%. Travel
• Team Building and Motivation
• Decision-Making
• Change Management with team
• Conflict Resolution
• Empowerment and Delegation
• Results Orientation
• Continuous Learning and Development
• Fluent in English
• It's a plus if you are fluent in Swedish