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Job Title: Director of Research and Development (R&D)
Department: Research and Development
Classification: Exempt / Salary
Reports to: Chief Operations Officer
Salary Range
$130,000.00 - $165,000.00 Salary/year
Job Qualifications:
1. Passion for hops, agriculture, quality, sustainability, and brewing.
2. M.S. in chemistry, food science, microbiology, or a related field preferred. (May substitute a B.S. with 5 additional years of relevant experience).
3. Minimum of 10 years of experience in research leadership, innovation management, and/or product development.
4. Experience supervising staff or research teams required.
5. Strong leadership, strategic planning, and project management skills.
6. Experience managing diverse stakeholder relationships.
7. Demonstrated ability to translate scientific research into applied outcomes, innovations, and new products/processes.
8. Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to engage scientific and non-technical audiences.
9. Experience with technology transfer and intellectual property collaboration preferred.
10. Proficiency in Microsoft Office and familiarity with research data and collaboration tools.
11. Detailed understanding of the scope of work at YCH.
12. Ability to adapt to changing paces and processes quickly.
13. Must reside in the Yakima Valley. Relocation assistance is available.
14. Willingness and ability to travel domestically and internationally.
15. A strong work ethic to positively contribute to the company’s mission, vision, values, environmental policy, and quality policy.
16. A desire to work with customers, researchers, and growers in the industry and lead the field in the production and analysis of hop products.
Job Summary:
The Director of Research and Development will provide global scientific and strategic leadership for application research, sensory science, chemical analysis, and technical experimentation involving hop-derived products. The Director oversees and manages the sensory program, brewing program, and analytical research laboratory, while working closely with the cross-functional product development team to bring new products to market.
Job Duties:
1. Lead experimental design and project management for hop research, product application in brewing and fermentation, and process improvement initiatives.
a. Establish a clear process for project inception, literature review, hypothesis formation, testing protocols, and reporting of results.
b. Draft business cases for new products including market application and price modeling.
c. Supervise and perform benchtop experiments for initial investigations of new products.
d. Work with the Operations department and tolling partners to advise on new production processes.
e. Oversee R&D team working with the Safety and Quality departments to establish specifications, testing requirements, and compliance procedures to generate product data sheets and SDS.
f. Lead intellectual property program through use of trade secrets, patents, and Mutual Non-Disclosure Agreements.
g. Direct the preparation of reports for internal distribution and industry presentations.
h. Keep abreast of current and future technology and industry best practices.
2. Oversee Sensory, Brewing, and the R&D Laboratory to maintain industry leadership in these key areas.
3. Manage R&D program goals and operations in alignment with the YCH Mission, Vision, and Values along with the strategic plan.
a. Provide strategic direction and clear leadership for the R&D team.
b. Develop and manage R&D budgets and work with the team to meet expense goals.
c. Educate YCH leadership, growers, and customers on the latest discoveries from the R&D program and global studies.
d. Ensure that YCH remains the global leader in hop analysis.
4. Serve as a liaison with industry leaders to keep the company at the front end of all quality processes and sustainability.
a. Attend and present at industry events surrounding chemistry, hops, and brewing.
b. Interface with brewing research communities to share YCH quality standards and sustainability initiatives.
c. Work with commercial partners on product development and quality issues.
d. Participate in industry forums and be an active voice for advancing hop research, quality, and processing.
e. Oversee the publication of internal project reports and peer-reviewed papers.
5. Provide oversight into the creation and implementation of standards, processes, and procedures that support the quality assurance initiatives of the company.
a. Ensure that the centralized R&D database is accurate and accessible to internal stakeholders.
b. Provide leadership in improving collaboration and communication between key internal stakeholders in the company.
c. Analyze and develop “best practices” across departments with emphasis on consistency, efficiency, and quality.
d. Promote systems thinking, process flow mapping, and SOP creation.
6. Ensure a healthy and productive work environment for the R&D team.
a. Regularly meet with the division leads and perform continuous evaluations of staff satisfaction and performance.
b. Fulfill all staff management duties for the department (annual reviews, Continuing Education Records, and employee development plans).
c. Advocate for the programs, staff, and resources required to achieve strategic goals.
d. Support the professional growth and development of team members through experience, mentorship, and training opportunities.
7. Maintain a sanitary and safe work environment and follow safety requirements.
8. May actively participate on the company’s Safety Committee.
9. Ensure that company safety policies as well as federal, state, and local safety and environmental regulations are observed.
10. Must have a complete understanding of the company’s policies, SOPs, QPs, EPs, HACCP, and cGMP that pertain to the department to ensure quality, safety, efficiency, and sustainability.
11. Must adhere to all company policies.
12. Must adhere to the operating budget.
13. Examine documents, materials, and products and monitor work processes to assess completeness, accuracy, and conformance to standards and specifications.
14. Perform all other duties assigned by Manager and/or designee.
Benefits:
Medical, Dental, & Vision insurance
Health Savings Account (HSA)
Flexible Savings Account (FSA)
Company Paid Life & AD&D, Voluntary Life And AD&D Insurance
Employee Assistance Program (EAP) - Lifeworks
Calm for Work
401(k) retirement plan with 6% & Roth option
Education Tuition Assistance Program
10 Recognized Holidays
50 hours of personal/sick time pro-rated based upon hire date
110 hours accrued Vacation
Competitive Wages
Performance Incentive Bonus opportunities
Wellness Benefit
Employee Giveback Program
Individual Development Programs
Youth Donation Program
Continuing Education Programs
Bring your Pet to Work Program (applies to admin positions only)
Pet Insurance
And much more…
Seniority level
Director
Employment type
Full-time
Job function
Research, Analyst, and Information Technology
Industries
Farming
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