Director Product Research & Development

Responsibilities

• Support product research and commercialization initiatives.
• Collaborate with a diverse array of stakeholders, including universities within the dairy research network, academic researchers, the U.S. Dairy Export Council, the Wellness & Innovation team, and industry partners.
• Contribute to strain evaluation, fermentation process development, analytical characterization, and scale-up activities spanning laboratory through pilot-scale systems.
• Design, execute, and analyze microbial fermentation experiments supporting ingredient, food, and biotechnology innovation initiatives.
• Perform data analysis, interpret experimental results, and communicate findings through technical reports and presentations.
• Maintain accurate experimental records and contribute to intellectual property, publications, and technical documentation as appropriate.
• Stay informed on emerging technologies and trends in precision fermentation, biotechnology, and sustainable food systems.
• Assist in the development, management, and execution of plans to commercialize research derived from DMI-funded programs.
• Work closely with university researchers to ensure scalability of research projects.
• Facilitate research scalability and support commercialization efforts by actively engaging in hands-on activities within pilot plants, including process optimization and recipe development.
• Contribute to identifying partners for scaling research from benchtop to pilot production, collaborating to optimize processes and ingredients.
• Aid in the development, management, and execution of targeted product research projects at universities and research laboratories.
• Monitor progress through the review of scientific and financial reports, manuscripts, abstracts, publications, and other outputs.
• Manage intellectual property assets associated with product research.
• Work closely with the research center director to advance DMI's dairy foods research strategy.
• Communicate key research outcomes to farmers, staff, and member units to support strategic planning.
• Provide technical insights and facilitate the translation of research into actionable strategies to enhance the global competitiveness of U.S. dairy products.
• Assist in ensuring that program outcomes are communicated effectively to stakeholders.
• Support ongoing research programs by assisting in the design and implementation of targeted product research projects.
• Packaging research findings to facilitate technology transfer and activation by industry partners.
• Present research findings and technical information at scientific conferences and trade meetings.
• Advocate for scientific research supporting dairy products by representing the dairy industry at scientific forums and reviewing communications for technical accuracy.

Qualifications

• PhD in Microbiology, Biotechnology, Biochemical Engineering, Food Science, Chemical Engineering, Synthetic Biology, Molecular Biology, or related field with 2-3 years of relevant experience.
• Relevant industry experience in R&D and commercialization of food or dairy products and ingredients.
• Expertise in research design, statistical analysis, and interpretation of scientific findings, coupled with strategic thinking and business acumen.
• A strong work ethic, integrity, and a commitment to representing farmer values.

Benefits

• Comprehensive health and welfare plans offering medical, dental, vision, legal, paid parental leave, life insurance, short-term and long-term disability, and flexible spending accounts (health care, dependent care, transit and parking).
• 401k providing up to a 10% match and including a Roth account.
• Regular and chocolate milk on tap.

New Hire Salary Range

$100,000 - $125,000 annually.