About Ingredion:

Join Ingredion, where innovation impacts lives worldwide! Without even realizing it, you’ve experienced our work in your favorite chocolate, your pet’s food, the paper you write on, and your everyday snacks. As a global powerhouse across more than 60 industries, we harness the potential of natural ingredients to transform lives. Whether you’re just starting your career or bringing years of experience, there's a place for you here to make a real difference. Be part of our team that values a wide range of perspectives and is committed to shaping a better world with every product we create.

                                   

Location: Bridgewater, NJ

Workplace type: On- Site/ Hybrid

As a Director of Innovation, you will be part of the Growth Portfolio Team and the Sugar Reduction and Fiber Fortification Team. As Director, you will lead cross-functional teams in providing technology, ingredients, and knowledge solutions to deliver on the winning aspirations for our Sugar Reduction and Fiber Fortification business segment.

The Director reports to the Senior Director, Project Portfolio Management

What you will do:

Shape our winning aspirations

As part of the business segment leadership team, you will shape the winning aspiration(s) for the segment.

Be part of the Sugar Reduction and Fiber Fortification leadership team that will define the strategic direction and key program/projects to drive growth or improve operating margins via new product/process innovation and ingredient solutions in targeted market and application segments,Be a recognized expert and key contact at important global and/or regional customers to drive innovation and meet their specific needs, andBe well networked in the industry and able to leverage relationships to drive innovation. Be active in key technical organizations and regularly leading symposiums or giving presentations at industry events.

Own an innovation portfolio for where to play and how to win

You will shape, sponsor and own innovation projects and programs that will enable where we want to play and how we want to win!

Own the development of the segment’s Innovation agenda and project pipeline. Manage the delivery of innovative solutions through a portfolio of projects,Work with appropriate business segment partners, regional go-to-market members and key Innovation personnel to support global roll out of new products ensuring successful product launches,Coordinate the assessment of Intellectual Property potential and communicate key challenges and opportunities to the business,Develop/ support development of justification for capital investments to support new technical capabilities being implemented in Innovation, andEnsure regular communication of the portfolio and project evolution to global stakeholders as part of innovation review processes.

Identify critical innovation capabilities required for success

You will identify the key enabling innovation capabilities that will be required to succeed.

Keep up to date with key technologies and developments in the food industry to ensure the team is equipped with the best knowledge and has access to relevant external expertise, technical institutes, and facilities,Lead, coach, influence, and guide assigned Innovation teams to consistently deliver upon challenging technical and business goals. Assess team’s functional and technical capabilities, identify key performance gaps, and develop and execute improvement plans to address the development need, andWorking with appropriate line managers, define key yearly objectives for inclusion in our performance management system. Actively participate in talent development discussions with line managers for members of the Sugar Reduction and Fiber Fortification innovation community.

Leverage our enabling management systems to support platform innovation

You will leverage our enabling management systems to support and accelerate innovation, ensuring Sugar Reduction and Fiber Fortification projects are resourced for success and appropriately prioritized at the enterprise level. 

Drive an effective project management process, ensuring appropriate skill sets and capabilities are utilized to allow rapid commercialization of new ingredients and solutions, while gaining sufficient insight to apply across a broad range of formulation/ingredient development opportunities and respond to internal/external customers’ needs.

 What you will bring:

PhD/MS degree in food science, chemistry or engineering with 10+ years of R&D/product development experience. Well-rounded knowledge across R&D/product development categories.Broad food ingredient knowledge with strong technical background (systems, technologies, processing) in areas relevant to sugar reduction and fiber fortificationExperience developing and translating strategy into clear objectives and deliverablesExperience effectively managing teams as well as managing or communicating with multifunctional, multiregional teams and stakeholders.Excellent people management (both direct and team based) and coaching abilityStrong networking & influencing skills and project and time management skillsDemonstrated analytical and problem-solving skillsCan effectively work in a matrixed and highly collaborative organizationSolid interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to interact effectively across all levels of the organization and in a variety of cultures – both internal and externalExcellent written and oral communication skills. Demonstrated ability to write comprehensive technical reports and deliver technical presentations.Expected Travel Approximately 15-25% (regionally and globally)

Who you are:

An Innovative thinker with the ability to implement change through a team of peopleAn inspiring leader with sound judgement, business acumen, and decision-making authorityComfortable at managing risk, complexity, diversity, and ambiguityPassionate about delivering sugar reduction and fiber fortification solutions that help healthy taste better! 

Why Join Ingredion? 

Discover why Ingredion is the ideal place to advance your career with our exceptional rewards and benefits package designed to help you thrive. Create the future with us and enjoy:

Total Rewards Package – Competitive salary and performance-based pay recognizing your contributions to our successComprehensive Benefits & Wellness Support – Health, long-term savings, and resources for your physical, mental, and emotional well-beingCareer Growth – Learning, training, and development opportunities, including tuition reimbursementEmployee Recognition Program – A culture of real-time appreciation, with personalized recognition rewards globallyEmployee Discount Program – Provides exclusive discounts on everyday products, services, and travel

#LI-JG1

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. Ingredion seeks to provide a work environment that is free from harassment and discrimination. We will not tolerate any form of discrimination based on race, color, religion, age, gender, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, ancestry, handicap or disability—mental or physical—marital status, sexual orientation, veteran status, disability resulting from military service, or any other classification protected by law (“protected classifications”). We are committed to establishing and maintaining a work environment where everyone is treated with dignity and respect.

Ingredion provides accommodations to job applicants with disabilities throughout the hiring process. If a job applicant requires an accommodation during the application process or through the selection process, we will work with the applicant to meet the job applicant's accommodation needs.

Relocation Available:

Yes, Within Country

Pay Range:

$175,200.00-$233,600.00 Annual

This pay range is not a guarantee of compensation or salary. Final base salary will be determined based on several factors which may include but are not limited to responsibilities of the job, education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity, alignment with market data and applicable bargaining agreement (if any).

Incentive Compensation:

As a part of the total compensation package, this role may be eligible for the Ingredion Annual Incentive Plan or a role-specific commission/bonus.

Benefits:

Full-time roles are eligible for our comprehensive benefits package which includes medical, dental and vision coverage as well as a 401(k) plan with an competitive company match.