Global R&D Leader, Bakery & Confectionery

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Date: 29 Jul 2026

Posting End Date:

Location:

Webster Groves, MO, US, 63119

Company: ICL Specialty Products Inc

As the Global R&D Leader, Bakery & Confectionery, you will be responsible for strategy and execution of R&D objectives and oversight across two Centers of Excellence. The position serves as a key member of the R&D leadership team in Global Food R&D where innovation and technical service support the segment growth pipeline. The successful candidate will have demonstrated technical expertise in Bakery & Confectionery with strong people leadership skills.

Additionally, the leader in this role would drive innovation-driven growth, customer co-development, portfolio strategy, and ownership of the technology roadmap.

This position reports to the Global Head of R&D, ICL Food Specialties. This position will be based out of our Webster Groves Center of Excellence in St Louis, MO.

Located in Webster Groves, Missouri, just minutes from downtown St. Louis, our team enjoys the best of both worlds: a welcoming, community-focused environment and access to the amenities of a major metropolitan area. Employees benefit from a high quality of life, vibrant arts and culture, outstanding dining and entertainment, affordable living, and world-class attractions throughout the St. Louis region.

I’m interested! What will I get to do in this position?

• Drive innovation-driven growth, customer co-development, portfolio strategy, and ownership of the technology roadmap for this segment
• Develop comprehensive applications research plan to meet business objectives, strategies and introduction of new products to achieve ICL Food Specialties growth goals
• Partner with Global Segment Leaders to translate market needs, customer insights and business strategy into an actionable innovation pipeline.
• Collaborate with Product Management and Segment Leadership to optimize the product portfolio through innovation, renovation and rationalization initiatives.
• Partner with Regional Sales Leaders to manage technical support requirements for customers including all product specifications, and product specifications review.
• Support application research for customers and opportunity development
• Collaborate with Sales and Marketing to develop technical selling messages, tools and training
• Collaborate with customers to identify their needs, understand geographical differences and provide differentiation by delivering value added solutions.
• Provide leadership and administrative oversight and research direction for food scientists working in Bakery & Confectionery.
• Nurture and strengthen a culture of innovation and problem solving
• Keep abreast of industry trends, competitive information and anticipate industry changes
• Develop external industrial and academic collaborations
• Maximize industry visibility via publications, trade show participation and short courses.
• Provide project planning and project management to shepherd projects through ideation, discovery, pilot testing and commercialization.
• Ensure safety and regulatory compliance with our food ingredients, champion Food Product Stewardship, advocate as needed with regulatory agencies.
• Develop a high performing team driven by talent recruitment, training, mentoring and succession planning
• Coordinate investment (people, equipment, facilities) needed to create research and development to achieve business growth goals

What skills and experience do I need to be successful in this role?

• Advanced technical (MS or PhD) degree in Food Science or adjacent field required.
• 10+ years food ingredient experience working with food ingredients, particularly in Bakery and Confectionery.
• Experienced in new product and commercial development within the food industry in this segment.
• Demonstrated strong interpersonal skills and team management.
• Demonstrated exceptional project management acumen.
• Experience communicating with customers, suppliers, and senior leadership.
• Demonstrated skills in team based decision making.
• Able to prioritize and manage multiple projects in an innovative, fast-paced environment.
• Results Oriented with a track record of…