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High Liner Foods · 7 hours ago

Director, Innovation R&D

Portsmouth, NH

Full-time

Hybrid

Director/Executive

8+ years exp

High Liner Foods is seeking a dynamic and collaborative Director of Innovation Research and Development to lead the development and commercialization of new products and platforms. The role involves working cross-functionally to ensure excellence in product design and commercialization, focusing on breakthrough and breakout products while leading a high-performing R&D team.

Consumer Goods

H1B Sponsor Likely

Responsibilities

Lead, in partnership with the Director, Culinary Innovation, the development and execution of the breakthrough and breakout product innovation strategy aligned with High Liner Foods’ growth priorities and objectives across all customer segments (retail, foodservice, private label)

Contribute significantly to the identification and evaluation of innovation territories and the creation of a 3+ year pipeline of breakthrough and breakout platforms and products

Drive (and where necessary create or optimize) the technical product development processes to create products that meet the consumer, customer, cost and supply chain requirements of each project

Own the creation of project cost targets and delivery of them, including post-launch productivity projects

Provide technical leadership and documentation in support of structured innovation processes such as Stage Gate, including key milestone reviews and PMR (Project Management Review)

Manage multiple concurrent product development workflows, including documentation, specifications, product evaluations, sample creation, and integration of design feedback

Collaborate with marketing and insights teams to plan and facilitate ideation and feedback sessions, ensuring the voice of the customer and consumer throughout all stages of product development

Support cross-functional teams in sample creation, production trials, and commercialization, ensuring technical and operational alignment

Communicate effectively in cross-functional forums, articulating key opportunities, risks, and milestones to support informed decision-making

Demonstrate strong business acumen and enterprise thinking while influencing, negotiating, and building relationships across the organization

Lead multiple R&D initiatives—new product development and process or product renovations—ensuring prioritization, resource optimization, timeline management, and budget adherence

Achieve strategic and functional objectives through others by fostering a culture of trust, collaboration, accountability and mutual respect

Inspire and challenge a high-performing R&D team to meet company objectives with creativity, adaptability, and resilience

Establish and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) to drive continuous improvement and maximize team effectiveness

Develop and manage the R&D budget with a focus on fiscal responsibility and resource optimization

Ensure product development meets all customer, regulatory, and internal standards for food safety, quality and compliance

Partner with QA and regulatory teams to maintain documentation and support audits or customer inquiries

Qualification

Food ScienceProduct DevelopmentCulinary DevelopmentProject ManagementR&D LeadershipAnalytical SkillsIngredient FunctionalityCommunication SkillsCollaboration SkillsNegotiation SkillsProblem-Solving Skills

Required

Bachelor's or Master's degree in Food Science, Food Technology, or a related field

8–10 years of progressive R&D experience in the food manufacturing industry

Deep expertise in product development, ingredient functionality, and processing/manufacturing technologies

Deep familiarity with culinary development principles and practices, with experience of collaborating with culinary professionals

Proven ability to lead R&D teams and manage cross-functional innovation and development projects of varying size, complexity, and strategic importance

Strong project management and organizational skills with a track record of delivering on timelines and objectives

Excellent communication, collaboration, and interpersonal skills; able to manage conflict constructively and influence across functions

Strong analytical, critical thinking, and problem-solving abilities

Skilled in negotiation and able to effectively manage competing priorities

Willingness and ability to travel to High Liner manufacturing sites, co-packers, and supplier partners as needed (domestically and internationally)

Preferred

Seafood experience is helpful but not required

Benefits

Heath, dental & vision coverage

Pay for performance incentives

Employee & Family assistance programs

Wellness Programs

Retirement Planning

Supplemental Parental Leaves

Disability Support

Family friendly Flex policies & Summer hours

Volunteer hours

Learning and mentorship opportunities

Safety focused work environment

Company

High Liner Foods

High Liner Foods is a leading North American processor and marketer of value-added frozen seafood.

Founded in 1899

Lunenburg, NS, CA

1001-5000 employees

http://www.highlinerfoods.com

H1B Sponsorship

High Liner Foods has a track record of offering H1B sponsorships. Please note that this does not guarantee sponsorship for this specific role. Below presents additional info for your reference. (Data Powered by US Department of Labor)

Distribution of Different Job Fields Receiving Sponsorship

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Trends of Total Sponsorships

2023 (1)