Director of Process Research & Innovation

At Actus Nutrition, we create high-quality ingredients designed to optimize health and nutrition. Our human nutrition division focuses on industry-leading whey and milk protein isolates, concentrates, and hydrolysates. The animal nutrition division is a leading supplier of functional fats, proteins, and carbohydrates.

About the role

The Director of Process Research & Innovation defines and executes the company’s research, development, and innovation strategy to drive sustainable growth and competitive advantage. This role leads end-to-end research of ingredients and process innovations—from ideation and research through manufacturing readiness and market launch.

Responsibilities

• Provide scientific, technical, and market input to build robust business cases and value propositions for new ingredients and process innovations.
• Establish and lead clinical research to validate health benefits of ingredients and support proactive business development in targeted health areas.
• Review scientific literature and emerging research to identify new opportunities and inform strategic direction.
• Serve as a technical resource to Marketing and Sales by supporting product positioning, functionality, nutrition, and application through technical documentation, white papers, and field support.
• Partner with the broader R&D team to provide project ownership for the full commercialization lifecycle for new ingredients and processes, from concept development and feasibility through scale-up, manufacturing integration, and market launch.
• Establish project scope, prioritization, and governance to ensure resources are aligned to the highest-value innovation opportunities.
• Identify, evaluate, and lead new innovation activities, including open innovation initiatives, customer innovation days, roundtables, and industry seminars.
• Partner closely with cross-functional teams to ensure alignment across product development, manufacturing, supply chain, quality, regulatory, marketing, and commercial execution.
• Lead and actively participate in cross-functional product development teams, contributing at both the strategic level and, when required, at the bench or pilot scale.
• Oversee supplier qualification, development, specifications, and ongoing management to ensure safe, innovative, and reliable ingredient sourcing.
• Serve as a visible scientific and technical leader within the industry, representing the company at conferences, trade events, and scientific forums.
• Present at industry and scientific meetings and bring forward new knowledge, insights, and partnership opportunities to the organization.
• Partner with external parties/universities/consultants to commercialize products through tolling operations. Search, vet, and review technology needed to prepare business cases for the executive team on toll manufacturing findings.
• Communicate and reinforce organizational and departmental initiatives to ensure alignment, consistency, and execution across the R&D function.

Requirements

• PhD or equivalent in Dairy Science, Manufacturing, Food Science, or related fields preferred.
• 10+ years of progressive experience leading research, development, and innovation initiatives within dairy or ingredient-based food systems.
• Demonstrated ability to lead complex, multi-disciplinary projects across multiple innovation areas simultaneously.
• Proven success collaborating strategically with senior leaders and cross-functional partners while maintaining hands-on engagement where needed.
• Strong capability to identify and remove barriers to innovation by ensuring teams have the right tools, processes, skills, and training.
• Excellent relationship-building skills with internal stakeholders, customers, suppliers, and external partners.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to translate complex R&D concepts into clear, compelling messages for executive and commercial audiences.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, vision, and life insurance.
• 401(k) company match program.

Pay

$120,000.00 - $140,000.00 USD based on experience.