Technical Director – Food Colours

CPL Executive Search is assisting a fast-growing Global natural food colours and ingredients company in looking for a highly experienced Technical Director based in Europe. They will manage the successful and efficient operations of 3 different locations of the Colour Product Development, Applications, and Technical Support European Departments. The ideal candidate will have a strong technical knowledge and experience of the food colour industry as well as a thorough understanding of the production/manufacturing processes. The candidate will also have excellent project management skills, a successful track record and a ‘can-do’ attitude.

POSITION

• Manage the project portfolio and pipeline for Europe, monitoring and ensuring all required metrics are met consistently on a monthly basis.
• Ensure the annual budgetary requirements for the department are met.
• Able to develop, implement and deploy strategic and organization plans for the laboratory teams in Europe.
• Travel with the sales team as required, providing technical support and conducting customer presentations as needed.
• Oversee and review all project activity for Colour Applications and Product Development.
• Report metrics for the departments.

KEY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Range of product management responsibilities across the product range.
• Understand and has knowledge of the principles of colour chemistry and colour measurement.
• Understand the chemistry and performance of food ingredients used in colour formulations.
• Formulate new products involving colours, as required.
• Deliver superior technical expertise, presentations and training to customers for value added service.
• Review and approve specifications for colours manufactured and distributed by the company, as required.
• Approve specifications of raw materials and packing material used for colours manufactured by the company, as required.
• Approve testing methods for colours manufactured by the company, as required.
• Review customer specifications and determine compliance of company products, with a clear understanding of customer requirements.
• Understand, interpret and apply current regulations and where required, globally, keeping current with any regulatory changes within the region.
• Ensure compliance with regulations governing the specifications and use of colours and colour blends manufactured, or distributed, by the company.
• Review and approve testing methods for colours manufactured by the company.
• Report to the VP Global Colour Applications and R&D, who is based in the US, and perform any other related job assigned.
• Has administrative reporting to the Regional CEO-Europe.
• Relocation may be required to the European facility.

KEY SKILLS

• Strongly motivated, self-starter, with strong business acumen and entrepreneurial attitude.
• Must be credible and professional in all communications and activities.
• Highly trustworthy and strong transparent communicator.
• Work well in a team but is able to work and manage their own workload without local supervision.
• Must be highly organised.
• Works well with short timelines and multiple tasks.

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE

• Minimum MSc in Chemistry, Food Science, Food Engineering, or related field.
• Four year degree or MBA or related area beneficial, but not required.
• Minimum 8 to 10 years of experience in the food or related industry, or an equivalent combination of education and experience as noted above is acceptable.
• Minimum five (5) years management experience, managing people and in project management.
• Experience with program/system planning, staff development, statistical reporting/analysis and cost/benefit analysis preferred.
• In-depth understanding and practical experience with production/manufacturing preferred.
• Ability to apply common-sense to solve problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists.
• Work requires excellent ability and skills to manage people, set goals and obtain positive results for competence development and the overall growth of the company.
• Work requires excellent written, verbal and group presentation communication skills.

PACKAGE

• Competitive salary with benefits.
• Interviews will be remote by Skype or phone with final interviews taking place at the Head office with senior members of the company.

Please contact CPL Executive Search or telephone +44 1865 257 252 for a confidential, informal discussion.