Job Location: Chicago

Company description

Ferrero is a family-owned company with a truly progressive and global outlook and iconic brands such as Nutella®, Tic Tac®, Ferrero Rocher®, Raffaello®, Kinder Bueno® and Kinder Surprise®. As the love for our brands continues to grow, so too does our global reach. Represented in more than 50 countries, with products sold in more than 170, the Ferrero Group is loved by generations around the world. The secret to our global success? 38,767 dedicated employees who celebrate care and quality to craft a business, careers and brands we are proud of. Join us, and you could be one of them.

Diversity Statement

Ferrero is committed to building a diverse and inclusive culture in which all employees feel welcomed and appreciated and have the same opportunities. We believe all of our people are equally talented in their own way. In nurturing the curiosity and natural abilities of our employees, we provide them, generation after generation, the means to succeed personally and professionally, enabling them to craft their journey at Ferrero. The diversity of our talents is what makes our work environment multicultural, innovative and highly rewarding.

Ferrero N.A. provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics.

About the Role:

The Pastry Chef - Product Technical Performance Manager (PTPM) Cookies R&D role will lead under the guidance and coaching of their manager, the successful development and execution of new and innovative Cookies, Cones & Pie Crusts. This includes global Ferrero categories with products and production lines to be launched in North America

Main Responsibilities:

• LAB DEVELOPMENT AND INDUSTRIALIZATION OF NEW PRODUCTS AND CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT OF EXISTING PRODUCTS
  • Oversee the 360 - degree execution of Cookies, Cones, Crusts & Ferrero Global Biscuits & Baked Categories innovation through the development and the industrialization of new products in close collaboration with Brand, Commercial team, Raw Material team and PTPM team.
  • Ensure the constant improvement of quality (performance) of existing products, production systems and raw materials.
  • Provide technical product-process support to plant technologists.
  • Coordinates the definitions of formulations for new products.
  • Partner with cross functional partners (Marketing, Sales, Operations, Supply Chain, etc.) to ensure an efficient and successful project initiation, progression and execution.
• PLANTS AND MANUFACTURING EQUIPMENT
  • Ensure coordination and supervise the execution in the plant (internal plants & co-manufacturers) of new process technologies tests and new manufacturing capabilities potentially impacting the quality of products.
  • Collaborate with technical bodies in the design of new manufacturing equipment or modifications of existing ones.
• PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT PLAN
  • Strong partnership with the laboratory, raw materials and global R&D Ferrero teams in the successful development of new innovative formulations & adaptation of European formulations to the North American market.
  • Co-lead the product development plan structuring the technological and product evolution plan for projects (new products, improvements to existing ones, etc.).

Who we are looking for:

• Minimum of 5+ years of proven experience in FMCG R&D, innovation, product, raw materials, process or technology development roles.
• Successful track record and proven experience in product/process development from laboratory bench scale to successful execution & launch to market.
• Degree in Food Science, Nutrition Science or the like required. Culinary degree a plus.
• Result oriented with strong passion for creativity and innovation within a complex driven environment.
• Dynamic, flexible, proactive approach and ability to work effectively in high - pressure situations within strict deadlines.
• Strives for high standards, seeks innovative solutions, drives continuous improvement of ingredients, semi-finished and finish products, processes and demonstrates a high degree of attention to detail.
• Strong interpersonal skills with ability to influence with integrity through persuasive communication to win support at senior levels within R&D and Cross Functional areas.
• Strong people and project management skills to effectively and efficiently drive a complex program.
• Excellent Excel and PowerPoint experience.
• Familiarity with SAP Architecture is a plus.
• Fluency in Italian is a plus.

How to be successful in the role and at Ferrero:

Consumers, quality and care are at the heart of everything we do. So, to be successful at Ferrero, you’ll need to be just as consumer and product centric as we are - dedicated to crafting brilliant results for consumers around the world.

Strong analytical mind, attention to details on one hand, and ability to cooperate with employees at all levels and great organisational skills on the other, would be key to success. Employee contribution and engagement at Ferrero is based on the individual, team and organisation dimension, so you should have the ability to work independently, as a part of the team and build good relations with stakeholders at all levels. Being flexible and dealing with a dynamic working environment as well as the ability to embed new knowledge and skills in existing competencies will definitely help you to become high performer here.

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