Sr Director, R&D Operations & Innovation

Job Description

Job Description

Grow with Welch's!

Welch's is on a journey towards our bold ambition of being the global-leader of convenient, good for you fruit-based food and beverages. To turn this goal into a reality we need you and other exceptionally talented, agile, and innovative individuals who are eager to contribute to something extraordinary!

At Welch's, we're not just offering a job; we're inviting you to be a part of a vibrant, authentic, and inclusive culture where you not only belong, but also have the opportunity to unleash the best, most authentic version of you.

Role Purpose

The Sr Director, R&D Operations & Innovation provides enterprise leadership across Product Development, Packaging, Process, and External Innovation to translate Welch's growth strategy into scalable, technically sound, and commercially viable innovation platforms. This role ensures R&D is a proactive driver of growth, capability building, and competitive advantage.

The Sr Director partners closely with Marketing, Operations, Supply Chain, and the Executive Leadership Team to balance near‑term business needs with longer‑term technical, portfolio, and capability investments. This person will lead and develop a technical expert team working seamlessly across the organization.

Scope & Impact

• Enterprise ownership of R&D innovation strategy and operating model
• Accountability for product, packaging, and process development outcomes
• Leadership of external innovation strategy, partnerships, and technology scouting
• Development of a high‑performing, multi‑disciplinary R&D team
• Thought leader and partner to strategic growth planning and long‑range innovation roadmaps

Core Accountabilities

1. Enterprise R&D Strategy & Portfolio Leadership

• Define and lead the end‑to‑end R&D innovation portfolio across product, packaging, and process engineering
• Translate enterprise growth strategy into platform roadmaps, technical priorities, and capability investments
• Balance speed, cost, quality, and risk across a diverse innovation pipeline
• Establish clear portfolio governance and decision‑making frameworks
• Support continuous improvement and cost management strategies

1. Integrated Product, Packaging & Process Engineering Innovation Leadership

• Set unified technical and scientific direction across product formulation, packaging systems, and process design
• Lead development of scalable innovation platforms that integrate product, packaging, and process from the outset
• Ensure consumer‑led innovation rigor while embedding manufacturability, cost, quality, and sustainability early
• Partner with marketing and Consumer Insights to shape opportunity spaces with an end-to-end system mindset.
• Drive technical trade‑off decisions across product, pack, and process to accelerate speed‑to‑market and reduce downstream risk

1. External Innovation (XI) & Technology Partnerships

• Lead Welch's external innovation strategy, including scouting, partnerships, licensing, and co‑development
• Evaluate emerging ingredients, technologies, and manufacturing solutions for strategic fit and value creation
• Serve as the technical lead counterpart in external innovation and partnership decisions
• Build a strong external ecosystem across suppliers, startups, academia, and technology partners

1. R&D Operating Model & Ways of Working

• Design and continuously improve R&D processes, governance, and ways of working
• Increase speed‑to‑market while maintaining technical, regulatory compliance, and quality rigor
• Ensure strong cross‑functional integration across R&D, Marketing, Operations, and Supply Chain
• Establish clear accountability, metrics, and performance management across the R&D organization

1. People & Leadership

• Lead, mentor, and develop a multi‑disciplinary R&D leadership team spanning product, packaging, and process
• Build bench strength, succession plans, and future technical leaders
• Foster a culture of curiosity, accountability, collaboration, and enterprise thinking
• Champion talent development, capability building, and inclusive leadership practices

Key Interfaces

• Executive Leadership Team
• Marketing & Consumer Insights
• Operations, Engineering & Supply Chain
• Food Safety and Quality, Regulatory & Sustainability
• External partners, suppliers, and innovation networks

What Success Looks Like

• Step changed innovation delivery with measurable improvement in speed to launch, consumer winning experiences, through product and pack design and execution.
• Improve existing portfolio in line with company strategic direction.
• R&D is seen as a strategic growth partner and enterprise leader
• Innovation platforms scale efficiently and reliably into the supply chain
• Clear prioritization and governance enable faster, better innovation decisions
• Strong internal capabilities and external partnerships fuel sustained innovation
• A deep, engaged R&D leadership bench is in place for the future

Experience & Capabilities

Required

• 20+ years of progressive R&D experience within food & beverage or CPG, including senior leadership roles
• Proven leadership across multiple R&D disciplines (product, packaging, process)
• Track record of leading innovation portfolios from concept through commercialization
• Experience partnering deeply with Operations and Supply Chain on scale‑up and deployment
• Demonstrated ability to influence enterprise strategy and operate at executive level
• Strong people leadership experience, including leading leaders

Preferred

• Experience building or transforming R&D operating models
• External innovation, licensing, or partnership experience
• Beverages, fruit‑based products, and/or shelf‑stable or refrigerated systems experience
• Advanced degree in Food Science, Packaging, Engineering, or related technical field

Leadership Attributes

• Enterprise mindset with the ability to balance strategy and execution
• Comfortable operating with ambiguity and making complex trade‑off decisions
• Collaborative, influential, and able to lead without direct authority
• Consumer‑curious, technically rigorous, and commercially grounded
• Builder of talent, teams, and sustainable capability

What You'll Enjoy:

• Organization with a bold, clear purpose & vision for the future
• Inclusive Culture: Be a part of an inclusive workplace where you not only belong but also have the opportunity to be the best version of yourself
• Passionate Community: You are encouraged to have a voice, share your opinions, and have individual impact on the success of the business
• Hybrid Work Model: Flexible & collaborative work environment to maximize well-being & success
• Paid Time Off and Holidays: Enjoy time away from the office to rest and recharge
• Paid Volunteer Time Off: 40 hours of paid volunteer time for all non-union employees
• Development & Advancement: Access to LinkedIn Learning as well as both formal and informal opportunities to develop and grow your career
• Compensation Package Consisting of Competitive Base Salary and Annual Incentive Plan (Bonus)
• 401K plan with Generous Company Match
• Flexible Benefits from your first day: Choose the benefits that meet your needs and preferences
  • Health, Dental & Vision Insurance
  • Health Savings Accounts
  • Life and accident insurance
  • Employee Assistance Programs
  • Tuition reimbursement program
  • Additional benefits available through Perks at Work
  • Paid parental (and adoption) leave – Available after 12 months of employment

The anticipated hiring base salary range for this position is $250,000 - $260,00 annually for US-based employees. This range reflects the minimum and maximum for the position across all US locations, is based on a full-time work schedule, and is Welch's good faith estimate as of the date of this posting. Within the range, individual pay is determined by work location and additional factors, including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training. In addition to base salary, this role is eligible for participation in a bonus plan.

#LI-Hybrid

Welch's is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. We are committed to the prevention of employment discrimination based on race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, national origin, age, marital status, disability and/or military or veteran status, sexual orientation or any other action covered by federal or applicable state/local laws.

Welch's offers more than just a job - it's an opportunity to grow, innovate, and make a global impact with a passionate community.