Yakima Chief Hops · 1 day ago
Director of Research and Development
Yakima, WA
Full-time
Onsite
Director/Executive
$130K/yr - $165K/yr
10+ years expYakima Chief Hops is seeking a Director of Research and Development to provide global scientific and strategic leadership for application research and technical experimentation involving hop-derived products. The role involves overseeing the sensory program, brewing program, and analytical research laboratory while managing the R&D team to bring new products to market.
AgricultureInformation TechnologySoftware
Responsibilities
Lead experimental design and project management for hop research, product application in brewing and fermentation, and process improvement initiatives
Establish a clear process for project inception, literature review, hypothesis formation, testing protocols, and reporting of results
Draft business cases for new products including market application and price modeling
Supervise and perform benchtop experiments for initial investigations of new products
Work with the Operations department and tolling partners to advise on new production processes
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
Lead intellectual property program through use of trade secrets, patents, and Mutual Non-Disclosure Agreements
Direct the preparation of reports for internal distribution and industry presentations
Keep abreast of current and future technology and industry best practices
Oversee Sensory, Brewing, and the R&D Laboratory to maintain industry leadership in these key areas
Manage R&D program goals and operations in alignment with the YCH Mission, Vision, and Values along with the strategic plan
Provide strategic direction and clear leadership for the R&D team
Develop and manage R&D budgets and work with the team to meet expense goals
Educate YCH leadership, growers, and customers on the latest discoveries from the R&D program and global studies
Ensure that YCH remains the global leader in hop analysis
Serve as a liaison with industry leaders to keep the company at the front end of all quality processes and sustainability
Attend and present at industry events surrounding chemistry, hops, and brewing
Interface with brewing research communities to share YCH quality standards and sustainability initiatives
Work with commercial partners on product development and quality issues
Participate in industry forums and be an active voice for advancing hop research, quality, and processing
Oversee the publication of internal project reports and peer-reviewed papers
Provide oversight into the creation and implementation of standards, processes, and procedures that support the quality assurance initiatives of the company
Ensure that the centralized R&D database is accurate and accessible to internal stakeholders
Provide leadership in improving collaboration and communication between key internal stakeholders in the company
Analyze and develop 'best practices' across departments with emphasis on consistency, efficiency, and quality
Promote systems thinking, process flow mapping, and SOP creation
Ensure a healthy and productive work environment for the R&D team
Regularly meet with the division leads and perform continuous evaluations of staff satisfaction and performance
Fulfill all staff management duties for the department (annual reviews, Continuing Education Records, and employee development plans)
Advocate for the programs, staff, and resources required to achieve strategic goals
Support the professional growth and development of team members through experience, mentorship, and training opportunities
Maintain a sanitary and safe work environment and follow safety requirements
May actively participate on the company’s Safety Committee
Ensure that company safety policies as well as federal, state, and local safety and environmental regulations are observed
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
Must adhere to all company policies
Must adhere to the operating budget
Examine documents, materials, and products and monitor work processes to assess completeness, accuracy, and conformance to standards and specifications
Perform all other duties assigned by Manager and/or designee
Qualification
Required
Passion for hops, agriculture, quality, sustainability, and brewing
Minimum of 10 years of experience in research leadership, innovation management, and/or product development
Experience supervising staff or research teams required
Strong leadership, strategic planning, and project management skills
Experience managing diverse stakeholder relationships
Demonstrated ability to translate scientific research into applied outcomes, innovations, and new products/processes
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to engage scientific and non-technical audiences
Proficiency in Microsoft Office and familiarity with research data and collaboration tools
Detailed understanding of the scope of work at YCH
Ability to adapt to changing paces and processes quickly
Must reside in the Yakima Valley. Relocation assistance is available
Willingness and ability to travel domestically and internationally
A strong work ethic to positively contribute to the company's mission, vision, values, environmental policy, and quality policy
A desire to work with customers, researchers, and growers in the industry and lead the field in the production and analysis of hop products
Preferred
M.S. in chemistry, food science, microbiology, or a related field preferred. (May substitute a B.S. with 5 additional years of relevant experience)
Experience with technology transfer and intellectual property collaboration preferred
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…
Company
Yakima Chief Hops
As a 100% grower-owned network of family hop farms, Yakima Chief Hops is uniquely positioned to establish strong relationships between the growers who supply our super-premium hops and the innovative brewing customers who utilize our products in their beer.
201-500 employees
Funding
Current Stage
Growth StageLeadership Team
Ryan Hopkins
Chief Executive Officer
Martin Ehrich
Interim Chief Financial Officer
Company data provided by crunchbase