Manager, R&D New Business Development - Chicago Illinois

Company: Blommer Chocolate Company
Location: Chicago, Illinois
Posted On: 01/14/2025

Blommer has been providing delicious, high-quality chocolate and cocoa products to customers since 1939. Built as a family business, we are continuing to grow and are looking for motivated and reliable associates to help in our mission of Bringing Chocolate to Life!The R&D New Business Development (NBD) Manager is responsible for growth within Blommer for new and existing products. This role will translate technical information and relate it to internal and external stakeholders to ensure understanding and buy-in. The role will usher projects through a stage gate process from initiation through post-launch stages. The NBD Manager will present data to internal stakeholders and determine if the proactive or capital investment/business critical projects will move forward, be placed on hold, or stopped. This position will accelerate customer acceptance of new to the world or new to Blommer products by creating a network of key contacts at customers and connecting regularly.Responsibilities:

• Manage the stage gate process and usher projects through it, updating steps and communicating about progress to stakeholders while pulling in appropriate resources to complete projects. Facilitate partnerships internally to move projects forward and get buy-in from stakeholders.
• Develop value propositions from customer connections and market landscape (reframe existing products or new business case proposal).
• Build relationships with decision makers at customers and bring them concepts throughout the life cycle of the product. Host virtual or in-person meetings with application samples.
• Create collateral and white papers (when appropriate) and setting up training sessions; train sales & R&D to ensure understanding of new product(s).
• Support customers with proactive launches by being a technical lead to introduce new technologies, concepts, and products through cross collaboration with R&D, marketing, sales.
• Review & manage new product launch or relaunch (as identified by marketing) for 3 years - if there is a change in market, ingredient price or availability, create change or case for change in formula. Review process and if there are challenges or inefficiencies, suggest changes.
• Partner with marketing to create collateral, train sales, target customers and launch consumer studies to test market and gather insights for customers.
• Uncover new markets or customers to introduce Blommer in order to gain insight into new channels to convert opportunities. Integrate the sales team into new opportunities through generation of leads.
• Ensure volume targets are met; if sales are lagging, work to internally promote and reinvigorate team efforts while working directly with key customers to bring technologies to them.
• Note: The employer reserves the right to change or assign other duties to this position.Physical Requirements:
  • General office environment and occasional work in the application lab/hands-on work.
  • Occasionally exposed to heat, cold, noise, dust.
  • Must be able to taste and consume chocolate and related products.
  • Travel requirement: 25% to 35%.Skills and Work Experience Requirements:
    • Five plus years' experience in food science, R&D, marketing, sales, or related fields within the food industry.
    • Project management skills or experience.
    • Excellent communication skills, written and verbal.
    • Proficient in Microsoft Office suite.Education:
      • Bachelor's degree in food science, marketing, or related fields; paired with food industry experience.Position Title: R&D New Business Development (NBD) ManagerReports to: Innovation DirectorPay Range: $135K-$145K annually, Bonus EligibleBenefits: Blommer understands that our employees are our biggest assets. With this in mind, we offer a generous benefits package.
        • Health, Dental & Vision - eligibility begins day 1 of hire!
        • 10 pounds of free chocolate for your birthday.Blommer Chocolate Company provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.
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