Rich’s, also known as Rich Products Corporation, is a family-owned food company dedicated to inspiring possibilities. From cakes and icings to pizza, appetizers and specialty toppings, our products are used in homes, restaurants and bakeries around the world. Beyond great food, our customers also gain insights to help them stay competitive, no matter their size. Our portfolio includes creative solutions geared at helping food industry professionals compete in foodservice, retail, in-store bakery, deli, and prepared foods, among others. Working in 100 locations globally, with annual sales exceeding $4 billion, Rich’s is a global leader with a focus on everything that family makes possible. Rich’s®—Infinite Possibilities. One Family.

 

Purpose Statement

Rich Products is growing and transforming. We are embracing technology and driving innovation across the enterprise to better empower our associates and provide enhanced services and products to all our customers. As part of this initiative, our world-class Research & Development team has undergone a significant reorganization and is now known as Research, Innovation & Compliance (RIC).

The RIC team is expanding and we’re currently looking for a Senior Director for our Digital Center of Excellence (COE).

In this Global role you will be the key leader responsible for developing and executing a comprehensive RIC Digital Technology strategy. You will lead a team of researchers, data scientists, statisticians, and analysts, providing strategic insights to deliver data-based business decisions and drive our digital RIC capabilities globally. 

This role operates at an advanced level of strategic influence, actively working with IT groups to deliver the best R&D Digital Programs and Technology for functional excellence and ensuring successful deployment of all new standards throughout the enterprise.  This role will work with the other functional teams to enable Rich’s to deliver innovative solutions that will drive business growth globally.

You’ll bring a blend of strategic thinking, technical knowhow, and tactical execution to create and implement strategies to define and execute a portfolio of highly complex projects. As a seasoned leader you possess a high drive for results, exceptional project management skills, a entrepreneurial growth mindset, and an ability to create strong networks and relationships to work across the spectrum of lifecycle, from working at the front end of innovation to improving our current business.

Ideally this role will be based in Buffalo, NY, but we can consider remote applicants with 50% expected travel.

Key Accountabilities and Outcomes

Strategic Planning:
o    Develops and implements a forward-looking RIC digital technology strategy that aligns with overall business objectives.
o    Delivers strategic technology roadmap for the RIC function in collaboration with IT.
Team Leadership:
o    Lead, mentor, and manage a team of digital researchers, data scientists, statisticians, and analysts.
o    Foster a collaborative and results-driven team culture, encouraging continuous learning and professional development.
Technology & Innovation:
o    Collaborate with Director IT Digital Technology to develop Technology strategy across all relevant RIC functional areas e.g. PLM, Quality management systems, Sensory, LIMS, ELM and advanced data analytics.
o    Determine best practices for RIC functional systems to ensure business advantage and latest technology is implemented.
o    Stay abreast of the latest digital research tools, technologies, and methodologies.
o    Encourage innovation and experimentation within the RIC teams.
o    Explore new methodologies and approaches to enhance the effectiveness of digital research efforts.
Other:
o    Establish and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) for digital initiatives and campaigns.
o    Provide strategic recommendations based on market intelligence to senior leadership.
o    Develop and manage the budget for the RIC Digital COE.
o    Ensure compliance with RIC data privacy regulations and ethical standards in digital research practices.
o    Implement measures to safeguard sensitive digital data.
o    Effectively communicate digital research findings and insights to key stakeholders.

Knowledge, Skills, and Experience

Required Skills & Qualifications:
o    Bachelor’s or Masters degree in a quantitative field - Statistics, Computer Science, Math, Physics, or related field 
o    Extensive experience in Leaderships roles (8+ years) overseeing digital research and analytics teams.
o    In-depth knowledge of digital R&D requirements, data analytics techniques and research methodologies.
o    Strong strategic thinking and problem solving skills
o    Excellent Communication and presentation skills
o    Experience building and deploying Digital Technology R&D strategy
o    Strong understanding of relevant tools and technologies in digital research including AI methodology.
Preferred Skills:
o    Proven Leaderships roles within R&D.
o    Proven experience in solving business problems with advanced analytical solutions. 
o    Proven experience with programming languages (SQL, R, MATLAB, Python), Big Data and Cloud systems (AWS, Data Bricks, S2) statistical software and an understanding of machine learning algorithms.

 

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COMPENSATION

In accordance with state law, the rate or range provided is Rich Products Corporation, its subsidiaries and affiliates ("Rich's"), reasonable estimate of the base compensation for this role. The actual amount may be higher or lower, based on non-discriminatory factors such as experience, knowledge, skills, abilities, shift differential, and location.

 

Annual Range/Hourly Rate

$180,900.00 - $301,500.00

 

 

 

Rich Products Corporation, its subsidiaries and affiliates (“Rich’s”), are committed to a policy of Equal Employment Opportunity and will not discriminate against an applicant or employee on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, national origin or ancestry, sex, age, physical or mental disability, veteran or military status, genetic information, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status or any other legally recognized protected basis under federal, state, or local law. The information collected by this application is solely to determine suitability for employment, verify identity, and maintain employment statistics on applicants.

 

Applicants with disabilities may be entitled to reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act and certain state or local laws. A reasonable accommodation is a change in the way things are normally done which will ensure an equal employment opportunity without imposing undue hardship on Rich’s. Please contact Rich’s Human Resources department at hrhelp@rich.com if you need assistance completing this application or to otherwise participate in the application process.