R&D Technical Performance Manager - Mainstream Chocolates

Ferrero is a family-owned company with a truly progressive and global outlook and iconic brands such as Nutella, Tic Tac, Ferrero Rocher, Raffaello, Kinder Bueno and Kinder Surprise. As the love for our brands continues to grow, so too does our global reach. Represented in more than 50 countries, with products sold in more than 170, the Ferrero Group is loved by generations around the world. The secret to our global success? 40,000 dedicated employees who celebrate care and quality to craft a business, careers and brands we are proud of. Join us, and you could be one of them.

Ferrero is committed to building a diverse and inclusive culture in which all employees feel welcomed and appreciated and have the same opportunities. We believe all of our people are equally talented in their own way. In nurturing the curiosity and natural abilities of our employees, we provide them, generation after generation, the means to succeed personally and professionally, enabling them to craft their journey at Ferrero. The diversity of our talents is what makes our work environment multicultural, innovative and highly rewarding.

Ferrero N.A. providesequal employmentopportunities(EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics.

The PTPM (Product Technical Performance Manager) - Chocolate R&D will lead under the guidance and coaching of their manager, the successful development and execution of new and innovative chocolates, as well as Global Ferrero Chocolate categories with products and production lines to be launched in North America.

DEVELOPMENT AND INDUSTRIALIZATION OF NEW PRODUCTS AND CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT OF EXISTING PRODUCTS

• Ensures the Chocolates and Ferrero Global Chocolate Categories innovation through the development and the industrialization of new products including brands such as Butterfinger, Crunch, Baby Ruth, 100 Grand, Raisinets, and the Fannie May portfolio. Additionally, the role may support key projects for other local jewels such as Ferrero Cookies, Cones and Crusts.
• Ensures the consistent quality improvement (performance) of existing products, of production systems and raw materials.
• Provides technical product-process support to plant technologists.

PLANTS AND MANUFACTURING EQUIPMENT

• Ensures the coordination and supervises the execution in the plant (internal plants and co-manufacturers) of new process technologies tests and new manufacturing capabilities potentially impacting the quality of products.
• Collaborates with the technical bodies in the design of new manufacturing equipment or modifications of the existing ones.

PRODUCTS DEVELOPMENT PLAN

• Strong partnership with the laboratory, raw materials, and global R&D teams in the successful development of new innovative formulations and the adaptation of European formulations to the North American market.
• Co-leads the products development plan structuring the technological and product evolution plan for projects (new products, improvements to existing ones, etc.).
• Conducts robust data analysis using statistical models to drive technical conclusions and define product and process specifications.

NORTH AMERICA ACQUISITIONS & INTEGRATION

• Facilitates the integration of new acquisitions (e.g., Fannie May and others) into Ferrero's tools, such as DevEx and PDP.

• Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Chemical Engineering, Nutrition, or related field.
• Minimum of 3 - 5years of proven experience in R&D, innovation, product and raw materials, processor technology development roles.
• Experience working within the chocolate category preferred.
• Successful track record of proven experience in product/process development from laboratory bench scale to successful execution and launch to market.
• Results oriented with strong passion for creativity and innovation within a complex driven environment.
• Dynamic, flexible, proactive approach and ability to work effectively in high - pressure situations within strict deadlines.
• Strives for high standards, seeks innovative solutions, drives continuous improvement of ingredients, semi-finished and finish products and processes and demonstrates a high degree of attention to detail.
• Strong interpersonal skills with ability to influence with integrity through persuasive communication to gain support at more senior levels within R&D and cross functional areas (Marketing, 3rd party co-manufacturers, Operations, Supply Chain,Quality, etc.).
• Strong project management skills to effectively and efficiently drive complex programs.

Consumers, quality and care are at the heart of everything we do. So, to be successful at Ferrero, you'll need to be just as consumer and product centric as we are - dedicated to crafting brilliant results for consumers around the world.

Strong analytical mind, attention to details on one hand, and ability to cooperate with employees at all levels and great organisational skills on the other, would be key to success. Employee contribution and engagement at Ferrero is based on the individual, team and organisation dimension, so you should have the ability to work independently, as a part of the team and build good relations with stakeholders at all levels. Being flexible and dealing with a dynamic working environment as well as the ability to embed new knowledge and skills in existing competencies will definitely help you to become high performer here.

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