• Director RD&A

    Kerry (Beloit, KS)


    About Kerry

     

    Kerry is the world's leading taste and nutrition company for the food, beverage and pharmaceutical industries. Every day we partner with customers to create healthier, tastier and more sustainable products that are consumed by billions of people across the world. Our vision is to be our customers' most valued partner, creating a world of sustainable nutrition. A career with Kerry offers you an opportunity to shape the future of food while providing you opportunities to explore and grow in a truly global environment.

     

    About the role

     

    We are seeking a dynamic and experienced Director of R&D to lead our Stocks and Broths platform in North America. This role will drive innovation, technical leadership, and product development across customer segments including retail, QSR, foodservice, and industrial manufacturing. The Director will be responsible for shaping the future of authentic, clean label, and functional stocks and broths, partnering closely with cross-functional stakeholders to deliver value through science-backed, culinary-inspired solutions.

     

    This is a high-impact leadership role that combines strategic thinking with hands-on technical expertise, offering the opportunity to directly influence product innovation for major North American food brands.

    Key responsibilities

    Strategic & Technical Leadership

     

    Lead the North America R&D strategy for the Stocks and Broths portfolio, aligning with regional commercial goals and global R&D platforms

     

    Identify and capitalize on growth opportunities by leveraging consumer trends, customer insights, and emerging technical capabilities

     

    Drive development of clean label, natural, and functional ingredient solutions with differentiated sensory and nutritional benefits

     

    Stay current with industry trends, competitive landscape, and regulatory changes affecting the stocks and broths category

     

    Innovation & Product Development

     

    Lead product development across diverse platforms, including shelf-stable, refrigerated, and frozen formats

     

    Oversee end-to-end R&D processes from bench-scale research through pilot testing to full-scale production in Kerry and customer facilities

     

    Partner with process engineering, culinary, sensory, and regulatory teams to ensure technical feasibility, regulatory compliance, and consumer appeal

     

    Establish and maintain technical standards, protocols, and best practices for the stocks and broths platform

     

    Customer Partnership & Business Development

     

    Act as a trusted technical advisor and innovation partner to key North American customers, providing deep expertise in culinary and savory solutions

     

    Lead technical discussions, co-creation sessions, and product presentations with customers

     

    Support business development efforts by translating customer needs into viable technical solutions

     

    Build and maintain strong relationships with customer R&D and procurement teams

     

    Team Development & Cross-Functional Collaboration

     

    Manage, mentor, and develop a team of food scientists, technologists, and culinary developers across multiple locations

     

    Foster a high-performance, collaborative culture focused on scientific rigor, curiosity, and measurable business impact

     

    Work closely with commercial, operations, supply chain, quality, and regulatory teams to ensure seamless project execution

     

    Champion knowledge sharing and best practice development within the broader Kerry R&D organization

     

    Qualifications and skills

     

    Education & Experience

     

    Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Food Technology, Culinary Science, or related field; Master's or PhD strongly preferred

     

    10+ years of progressive R&D experience in the food industry, with demonstrated expertise in savory systems, broths, stocks, or protein-based products

     

    5+ years of leadership experience managing technical teams and complex projects

     

    Proven track record of leading product development projects from concept through successful commercialization

     

    Technical Expertise

     

    Deep understanding of clean label formulation principles and natural processing technologies (hydrolysis, fermentation, extraction)

     

    Expertise in flavor chemistry, protein functionality, and thermal processing as applied to stocks and broths

     

    Knowledge of scale-up processes and manufacturing considerations for liquid food products

     

    Familiarity with U.S. regulatory standards (FDA, USDA) and customer quality requirements

     

    Recommended salary range for this position is Minimum 177K/ Midpoint 244K/ Maximum 311K