Senior technical development director - food

The Technical Development Director for Food & Nutrition North America will be responsible for leading a team of Technical Development Managers acting as a working manager to drive the commercialization for the sensory components, such as sweet and savory flavors, aroma, and natural color, in addition to our full line of functional ingredients in the North American food industry. The Technical Development Director will have specific customers and supplier relationships for certain strategic partners. The primary categories of focus include, but not limited to, beverages, baked goods, dairy, confectionary, meat, and plant-based meat and dairy alternatives.

Essential Job Functions/Responsibilities:

• Lead and direct a team of TDM’s to support the development of our functional and specialty ingredient pipeline and commercialization across North America.
• Develops and implements marketing and innovation strategies to increase sales and profitability.
• Work with Brenntag’s strategic supplier partners to learn their product portfolio, and understand the key technical attributes as it relates to their applications in food products
• Work with product and marketing category managers, to identify and strategize entry into the potential target accounts in the geographies assigned
• Secures additional suppliers or products which offer profitable opportunities or identifies opportunities within new industries which could lead to profits.
• Set up processes for prioritizing customer targets and project development along with developing KPI’s to drive deeper penetration of our specialty portfolio and growth for our organization
• Visit the accounts with the commercial sales team weekly, and engage with customer’s R&D to define customer’s needs for innovation or solutions at the technical level
• Engage with supplier partners and suggest best solutions to the customer
• Engage with the innovation & application team to accelerate customer projects through our own application kitchens, as needed
• Follow up with the customers to drive the project and ensure successful commercialization of the products in scope
• Attend product trainings and extend training to the field account managers in their assigned regions as necessary

Other Functions/Responsibilities:

• Conduct all functions of business with safety as the top priority
• Work with Management on organizational priorities, goals, and objectives
• Participate in all periodic team meetings and communicates activities for

action/follow-up/execution as necessary

• Attend internal and external training sessions for continued development of product and industry knowledge

Required Skills/Abilities:

• Strong people leader and influencing skills with proven track record for leading and motivating team
• Self-motivated and task oriented
• Logical, critical thinker with an inquisitive and strategic mind
• Proficiency in written and verbal communication
• Team player with collaborative and engaging work style
• Able to present ideas and solution concepts to colleagues, customers, as well as large industry audiences

Minimum qualifications:

• BS or MS in food science.
• Min 15 Yrs’ experience in food product development and or technical sales in the food industry
• Deep understanding of functional food ingredients and functionality in food systems.
• Understanding of unit operations and unit processes in various end applications included but not limited to beverage, dairy, bakery, and prepared foods industries

Additional essential attributes

• Well versed with current market trends and key players in the food industry
• Aware of the regulatory landscape as it related to food products in North America

Computer Skills:

• Functional knowledge of word processors, database software, sales tools, spreadsheets, presentation modules

Travel:

• Requires up to 50% travel, or as needed by the business.

Location:

• Flexible to work from home or office, as required

Our Offer

• We aim to create an environment where the best people want to work, where they can turn their passion into their job and realize their full potential.
• Individual development, on-the-job training, and development programs designed to help our employees grow in their careers.
• Paid parental leave
• Education assistance program
• Employee assistance program
• Various healthcare plan options as well as 401(k)

Brenntag and its subsidiary companies will provide equal employment opportunities to all applicants without regard to any category protected by federal, state or local law, including as applicable, applicant’s actual or perceived race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression (including transgender status), gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, lactation and related medical condition), genetic information, military service, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, age, veteran status, physical or mental disability, protected medical condition as defined by applicable federal, state or local law, political affiliation, marital status, membership in an employee organization, parental status, expunged juvenile record, or any other status protected by federal, state, or local law. Brenntag will provide reasonable accommodations to allow an applicant to participate in the hiring process (e.g., accommodations for a test or job interview) if so requested. When completing this application, you may exclude information that would disclose or otherwise reference your race, religion, age, sex, genetic, veteran status, disability or any other status protected by federal, state, or local law. This application is considered current for sixty (60) days only. At the end of this period, if you are still interested in employment, it will be necessary for you to reapply by completing a new application.

If you are a qualified individual with a disability or a disabled veteran, you may request a reasonable accommodation if you are unable or limited in your ability to access job openings or apply for a job on this site as a result of your disability. You can request reasonable accommodations by contacting Human Resources at [email protected] (phone, tty, fax, email, etc.).

Brenntag North America, Inc. and its subsidiaries use E-Verify, a government-run, web-based system that allows employers to confirm the eligibility of their employees to work in the United States. For more information, please go to or view the poster at

Brenntag TA Team