About this role
About Kerry
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
Other facts
About Kerry Group
Every day, millions of people throughout the world consume foods and beverages containing Kerry’s taste and nutrition solutions. We are committed to making the world of food and beverage better for everyone, and dedicated to our Purpose, Inspiring Food, Nourishing Life.
At Kerry, we are proud to provide our customers – some of the world’s best-known food, beverage and pharma brands – with the expertise, insights and know-how they need to deliver products that people enjoy and feel better about consuming.
Kerry is a company rich in heritage and resources. Over the past five decades, our focus on changing lifestyles, the globalisation of food tastes and ever-evolving consumer needs has brought us to a market-leading global position.
Today, we are firmly established as a world leader in the food, beverage and pharma industries, with 22,000+ staff and 150+ innovation and manufacturing centres across 30+ countries.
Learn more about Kerry: www.kerry.com
What you'll do
- The Director of R&D will lead the North America R&D strategy for the Stocks and Broths portfolio, driving innovation and product development. This role involves managing a team and collaborating with various stakeholders to deliver science-backed culinary solutions.
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