Role Overview for VP, R&D, New Products with a Food & Beverage Company – Minneapolis, MN
JRG Partners is proud to partner with a premier, forward-thinking Food & Beverage company in the vibrant Minneapolis, MN area. Our client is a category leader, renowned for its commitment to quality, innovation, and consumer satisfaction. They are currently seeking a transformative and strategic Vice President of Research & Development, New Products to join their executive leadership team. This is a pivotal role for a visionary leader who can inspire a culture of creativity and scientific excellence, driving the company’s growth engine through the development of a robust and market-leading innovation pipeline.
The VP, R&D, New Products will be the chief architect of the company’s future product portfolio. You will be responsible for setting the strategic direction for all new product development, from blue-sky ideation to successful commercialization. This executive will lead a high-performing team of food scientists, engineers, and technicians, fostering an environment of collaboration, curiosity, and calculated risk-taking.
You will leverage deep consumer insights, emerging food technologies, and market trends to identify and capitalize on new opportunities, ensuring the company remains at the forefront of the industry. This position requires a unique blend of scientific expertise, business acumen, and inspirational leadership to translate complex technical challenges into commercially successful products that delight consumers and deliver significant value to the organization. You will not only manage the R&D function but also serve as a key strategic partner to Marketing, Sales, Operations, and Finance, ensuring seamless integration and alignment across the entire product lifecycle.
Key Responsibilities of VP, R&D, New Products with a Food & Beverage Company – Minneapolis, MN
Strategic Leadership & Innovation Vision
Develop and execute a comprehensive, long-term R&D strategy that aligns with the company’s overall business objectives and growth targets. Champion a forward-looking innovation agenda, identifying and evaluating new technologies, ingredients, and processing capabilities to create a sustainable competitive advantage.
New Product Development Pipeline Management
Oversee the entire new product development process from concept inception, through feasibility, formulation, scale-up, and launch. Implement and refine a disciplined stage-gate process to manage the innovation pipeline, ensuring projects are delivered on time, within budget, and to the highest quality standards.
Team Leadership & Talent Development
Lead, mentor, and develop a world-class R&D organization. Foster a dynamic and inclusive culture that encourages creativity, scientific rigor, and continuous learning. Attract, retain, and develop top talent, building a team with diverse skills capable of meeting future challenges.
Cross-Functional Collaboration & Influence
Serve as a key member of the senior leadership team, working closely with Marketing to translate consumer insights into winning product concepts. Collaborate with Operations to ensure seamless scale-up and commercialization, and with Supply Chain to identify and qualify new ingredient and technology partners. Partner with Finance to build robust business cases for new initiatives.
Technical & Scientific Excellence
Provide expert technical guidance and oversight across all R&D activities, including food science, culinary development, sensory analysis, packaging innovation, and process engineering. Ensure all product development activities adhere to the highest standards of food safety, quality, and regulatory compliance.
Regulatory Compliance & Quality Assurance
Ensure all new products and processes comply with relevant government regulations (FDA, USDA) and industry best practices. Partner with the Quality Assurance team to establish and maintain rigorous quality standards for all new products, from raw materials to finished goods.
Budget & Resource Management
Develop and manage the annual R&D budget, allocating resources effectively to prioritize key strategic initiatives and maximize return on investment. Oversee the management of R&D facilities, including pilot plants and laboratories, ensuring they are state-of-the-art and efficiently operated.
External Relationship Management
Build and maintain a strong network of external partners, including universities, research institutions, ingredient suppliers, and technology providers, to foster open innovation and stay ahead of emerging trends. Represent the company at industry conferences and technical forums.
Requirements for the VP, R&D, New Products with a Food & Beverage Company – Minneapolis, MN
Educational Background
A Master’s degree or Ph.D. in Food Science, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or a related scientific discipline is strongly preferred. A Bachelor’s degree in a relevant science field is required.
Executive Experience
A minimum of 15+ years of progressive experience in Research & Development within the food and beverage industry. At least 7 years of experience in a senior leadership capacity (Director or VP level), with a proven track record of managing large, multi-disciplinary R&D teams.
Technical Expertise
Demonstrated mastery of the new product development lifecycle, from benchtop formulation to full-scale commercialization. Deep knowledge of food chemistry, ingredient functionality, sensory science, and food processing technologies. Experience across various product categories is highly desirable.
Strategic Acumen
Proven ability to develop and implement successful long-range R&D strategies. Experience translating market trends and consumer insights into a tangible and profitable innovation pipeline. Strong financial literacy and experience managing significant budgets.
Leadership & Communication Skills
Exceptional leadership presence with the ability to inspire, motivate, and develop a high-performing team. Outstanding communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to articulate complex scientific concepts to both technical and non-technical stakeholders. A collaborative mindset with a history of building strong cross-functional partnerships.
Industry Knowledge
A deep understanding of the competitive landscape, current industry trends, and regulatory environment is essential. Active participation in professional organizations, such as the Institute of Food Technologists (IFT), is a plus.
Problem-Solving & Adaptability
A results-oriented mindset with a strong ability to solve complex problems and make data-driven decisions. Must be adaptable and thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
Benefits & Perks Offered
Our client is committed to investing in their employees and offers a highly competitive and comprehensive executive compensation and benefits package, including:
Competitive Base Salary
An attractive base salary commensurate with executive-level experience and impact.
Executive Bonus Program
A significant annual bonus potential based on individual and company performance.
Long-Term Incentives
Meaningful participation in an equity or long-term incentive plan (LTIP) to share in the company’s success.
Comprehensive Health Coverage
Premium medical, dental, and vision insurance plans for you and your family.
Retirement Savings
A robust 401(k) plan with a generous company match.
Relocation Assistance
A comprehensive relocation package is available for the successful candidate and their family to the Minneapolis, MN area.
Paid Time Off
A generous vacation, holiday, and sick leave policy.
Professional Development
A dedicated budget for continuing education, industry conferences, and executive coaching.
Wellness Programs
Access to wellness initiatives, gym memberships, and employee assistance programs.
How to Apply
This is a retained search being conducted exclusively by JRG Partners. If you are a visionary R&D leader with a passion for innovation and a proven track record of bringing successful new food products to market, we encourage you to apply for this exceptional opportunity.
To be considered for this confidential search, please submit your resume and a cover letter detailing your qualifications. For more information about our expertise in this sector, please visit the JRG Partners’ Food & Beverage executive search practice page. We look forward to connecting with you to discuss how your experience can shape the future of this industry leader.
