Vice President, Research and Development

Saputo Inc.

. Define and execute the strategic R&D and technology roadmap aligned with division growth priorities, customer segments, manufacturing capabilities, and emerging dairy-ingredient opportunities .

Posted 10/6/2026full-timeMilwaukee • Wisconsin • United StatesLeadWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

Use this summary to align your resume positioning with the role.

Demonstrates expertise in R&D strategy, innovation management, and commercialization of dairy ingredients, with a strong focus on technical compliance, process optimization, and cross-functional collaboration. Proven ability to lead multidisciplinary teams and drive productivity through data-driven decision-making and technical excellence.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Dairy Ingredient InnovationTechnical Risk AssessmentStage-Gate GovernanceFood Safety ComplianceLeadership of Multidisciplinary Teams

ATS Keywords

Tailor your resume

Applicant Tracking System Keywords

Tip: use these terms in your resume and cover letter to boost ATS matches.

Hard Skills

Dairy ScienceFood EngineeringTechnical DocumentationData-Driven Decision MakingFormulation TechnologySeparation TechnologyFermentation TechnologyAnalytical TechniquesIntellectual Property StrategyBudget Management

Soft Skills

Exceptional CommunicationInfluence SkillsCollaborationChange LeadershipTalent Development

Tools & Technologies

Digital R&D ToolsPortfolio AnalyticsKnowledge Management SystemsProcess Modeling SoftwareCompetitive Intelligence Tools

Industry Keywords

Food IngredientsNutritionDairy ChemistryRegulatory RequirementsQuality SystemsB2B CommercializationCustomer QualificationPilot Scale-UpMarket InsightsTechnical Standards

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Define and execute the strategic R&D and technology roadmap aligned with division growth priorities, customer segments, manufacturing capabilities, and emerging dairy-ingredient opportunities
Own the innovation and renovation portfolio, including stage-gate governance, business cases, resource allocation, technical risk assessments, milestone discipline, and transparent decisions
Lead end-to-end development and commercialization of whey- and milk-based proteins, carbohydrates, cultures, and specialty ingredient solutions
Serve as senior technical partner to strategic customers, leading co-development, technical selling, demonstrations, qualification reviews, and resolution of complex technical challenges
Partner with Commercial, Sales, Operations, Engineering, Quality, Regulatory, Procurement, Finance, and Supply Chain
Advance process technology and technical capability across separation, concentration, drying, fermentation, formulation, sensory, analytical, pilot-plant, and application-development platforms
Drive productivity and margin expansion through formulation, yield, throughput, quality, energy, water, waste, and raw-material optimization
Establish technical standards, specifications, experimental design, data integrity, documentation, knowledge management, and validation practices
Champion digital R&D capabilities, including portfolio analytics, formulation and process modeling, competitive intelligence, technical knowledge systems, and data-driven prediction
Ensure technical compliance with food safety, quality, labeling, regulatory, and customer standards
Lead intellectual-property strategy, including patent landscape monitoring, trade-secret protection, invention disclosures, patent filings, and freedom-to-operate considerations
Build an external innovation ecosystem with suppliers, universities, research institutes, start-ups, and industry groups
Build, inspire, and retain a high-performing multidisciplinary organization; establish succession, capability, and workforce plans
Manage R&D operating and capital budgets and communicate pipeline health, commercialization readiness, capability gaps, and business impact to division leadership

Requirements

What you’ll need

Bachelor’s degree in Dairy Science, Food Science, Food Engineering, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or a related discipline required; master’s degree or PhD strongly preferred
Fifteen or more years of progressive R&D, innovation, technical, or product-development experience in dairy, food ingredients, nutrition, or a closely related industry
Significant leadership of managers and multidisciplinary technical teams
Demonstrated success defining strategy and commercializing B2B dairy ingredients from bench through pilot, factory scale-up, customer qualification, and sustained production
Deep knowledge of dairy-component chemistry and functionality, including proteins, carbohydrates, minerals, cultures, and relevant separation, concentration, drying, fermentation, and formulation technologies
Strong record of converting customer and market insights into differentiated technical roadmaps, application solutions, and commercially compelling value propositions
Executive-level business and financial acumen, including portfolio prioritization, budget leadership, capital evaluation, cost-benefit analysis, pricing and margin awareness, and measurement of innovation return
Working knowledge of food safety, quality systems, regulatory and labeling requirements, technical documentation, intellectual property, and risk management relevant to dairy ingredients
Experience establishing stage-gate governance, technical standards, knowledge-management practices, digital tools, and data-driven portfolio and scale-up decision processes
Proven ability to attract, develop, and retain technical talent, build succession depth, lead through change, and create a culture of scientific rigor, ownership, inclusion, collaboration, and disciplined execution
Exceptional communication and influence skills, with the ability to translate complex science for customers, plant teams, commercial leaders, and executives and to build alignment across functions, geographies, and external partners

Benefits

Comp & perks

Development opportunities that enhance your career fulfillment
Meaningful compensation & benefits that help you care for your family
Opportunities to contribute to your community and enhance the lives of others through Saputo products