Technical Customer Lead, Food Science
The Irca Group is an International Leader in high quality finished and semi-finished ingredients for the bakery, pastry, and ice cream markets. With a solid history of over 100 years in the industry, the Group has its headquarters in Italy (Gallarate) and a strong global footprint with 23 production sites and over 2000 employees in Europe, the United States and Vietnam.
Our core product categories include chocolate, compounds, chocolate decorations, sprinkles, creams, pastry mixes, gelato ingredients, nuts and candied fruit. The most recent acquisition of Kerry Sweet complements our existing categories with the addition of sweet particulates, chocolate confections, inclusions, variegates and frozen fruit purees.
Through its 8 key brands (IRCA, Dobla®, in2food, Via Degli Orsini, JoyGelato, RaviFruit, Cesarin and Anastasi®) the IRCA Group offers an unparalleled "one-stop shop" approach for delivering quality solutions to all ingredients needs, through a broad range of innovative products. We offer every day and seasonal solutions to 3 macro channels: Gourmet, Food Manufacturing and Consumer Product (Retail). “Extraordinary made simple”
Purpose of Position:
The Technical Customer Lead, Food Science will interface with R&D, and Sales Management teams to facilitate technical to technical discussions, support ongoing project management of new product developments from brief to launch, and lead innovation and co-creation sessions with our customers. They will partner with internal teams and customers to develop and amplify current and new Irca group products, define and meet business objectives in terms of sales and gross margin, build and support existing relationships with customers.
Responsibilities
Manage projects from concept development, sample manufacture, production trial through to first site production.
Partner with R&D, Technology, and Commercial stakeholders to deliver pipeline projects, presentations, & innovation workshops for customer requests
Coordinate customer queries with development colleagues to ensure information is clear and concise - weekly calls with customer
Partner with sales management and evaluate risk assessment and project timelines to manage customer expectations in line with development lead
Partner with development/applications teams to deliver samples for innovation sessions and to customers as requested
Travel to work on-site for client engagements to build trusted, collaborative relationships and to identify and implement improvements.
Troubleshoot and mitigate product performance, delivery, and competitive challenges.
Requirements
Minimum of 4+ years of experience related to business and sales analysis, additional experience in customer service and order management. Experience is food related R&D is a plus
Demonstrated track record of project/customer management from ideation to creation to store shelf
Ability to work with/through/in high performing cross functional teams
BA/BS degree and background in business, marketing, economics, biology or food related sciences
Interpersonal Skills - Proven ability to communicate objectively with customers and team members in a manner that maintains confidentiality.
Business Acumen - Detailed knowledge of profitability/financial metrics, market and competitive landscape to align work with strategic goals and proactively assess business implications of decisions. Proven ability and interest to read, analyze and interpret general business periodicals, professional and technical journals.
Planning/Organizing - Prioritizes and plans work activities. Uses time efficiently and sets goals and objectives. Professionalism - Approaches others in a tactful manner, responds well under pressure. Treats others with respect and consideration. Accepts responsibility for own actions and follows through on commitments.
Written Communication - Excellent written skills and attention to detail to ensure reports are written accurately. Proven ability to write reports, business correspondence, and marketing materials.
Presentation Skills - Proven ability to present information in a clear and concise manner and respond to questions from groups of managers and/or customers.
Computer Skills - Working knowledge of Microsoft Office, Excel and CRM systems
Must be comfortable with travel up to 35% annually to client sites and domestically in the USA.
Why Join Us:
Irca Group offers career growth opportunities as well as competitive compensation and benefits: Medical, Dental, & Vision, 401(k) matching, Paid Vacation, Sick Time, and Holidays, Employee Education Tuition Reimbursement Program