R&D Manager, Innovation

R&D Manager, Innovation

GFA Brands, Inc./Smart Balance, Inc., a $200 million NASDAQ listed (SMBL) food company, has the fastest growing market share of high quality, “better for you food� brands such as Smart Balance and Earth Balance and is currently seeking a results-oriented, entrepreneurial candidate to join its Operations Team as R&D Manager reporting to the EVP Operations. This vital role will help support and execute programs, strategies and objectives that will result in significant value creation for the company and its shareholders.    

Along with competitive salaries and benefits, our employees enjoy opportunities for professional development in a workplace that encourages initiative, fresh ideas and working and winning as a team. Our company cultivates an environment that encourages and produces the best people with extraordinary talent developing and building the next generation of heart healthy, smart health food products.

The qualified individual must enjoy working in a fast paced and entrepreneurial environment where results are recognized and rewarded.   Our culture values autonomy and quick and effective decision-making.  Our corporate office is only 20 minutes from NYC. We offer an attractive salary and benefits package, including immediate participation inour stock option and 401K plan. Relocation assistance is not available.

SCOPE OF POSITION:

 The R&D manager position is an existing position with the Smart Balance operations group. The person in this position will be the primary technical contact for the company and will manage all research and development activities. Interactions with marketing and quality assurance will be frequent and important. Person will in addition to management duties have his or her own projects.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Includes the following; other duties may be assigned.

¨      The key responsibility is to develop new products.

¨   Apply knowledge of properties and interactions of raw materials to development and manufacturing of new products and improvements of existing products.

 ¨ Transfer new products from development to manufacturing (i.e. covering all aspects of product development from concept to commercialization).

  ¨     Develop QC specifications, create and edit nutritional labels, conduct pilot plant and plant trials, qualify new ingredients and provide technical input for new product ideas. ¨     Maintain database of formulations, nutritional data and ingredients with specifications ¨     Supervise one or more scientists in the R&D department. Provide training as required, assess performance, assign duties. ¨     Supervise the laboratory. Manage supplies, maintenance of equipment and purchasing of laboratory and office needs. Propose and obtain new equipment as needed. ¨     Work with Quality Assurance and Marketing to introduce new products and to troubleshoot existing products and processes.

QUALIFICATIONS:

The requirements listed below are not all inclusive but are representative of the range of knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. ¨     Strong science background, preferably in food and more preferably in margarine. Plant processing experience strongly desired. ¨     Strong interpersonal & communication skills

¨      Able to quickly and independently make quality decisions using solid analytical and fact based skill sets.  

¨      Strong analytical acumen

¨      Good people management skills

¨      Detail oriented, good record keeper

¨      Creative and innovative

¨      Results oriented

?    Ability to work on a team

EDUCATION:    

Bachelor’s Degree in a science field, advanced degree preferred.

 GFA Brands, Inc.  Is committed to creating a diverse work environment and proud to be an equal opportunity employer (m/f/d/v). Due to the high volume of responses, we will only be able to respond to candidates of interest.  All candidates must have valid authorization to work in the U.S.  Thank you again for your interest in GFA Brands, Inc.

Applicants that wish to apply contact Patti Rooney – email prooney@smartbalance.com