Director - Research and Development

Director, R&D

This is your opportunity to lead a high-impact, high-visibility R&D function at the heart of Clemens' growth engine. You'll shape product innovation and optimization across branded and private label portfolioswhile developing the team and systems to support long-term scale.

You'll lead both the R&D Innovation and Optimization teams, delivering new product success and enhancing existing product performance. Your work will directly influence company growth through customer wins, operational efficiency, and breakthrough innovation in pork quality.

Lead technical strategy and execution for R&D innovation and optimization

Define and align project accountability structures with Commercialization, Marketing, and Ops

Manage high-profile technical initiatives and build cross-functional partnerships

Oversee benchtop and commercialization pipelines

Integrate customer feedback, vendor partnerships, and internal insight into rapid innovation

Manage team development, succession planning, and structure evaluation

Oversee KPI scorecard and portfolio health metrics

Drive innovation across pork products and private label lines

Play a key role in Clemens' advancement via M&A, new product growth, and systems modernization

Lead a talented technical team and build a forward-looking R&D function

Serve as the technical face of Clemens in high-stakes internal and customer-facing discussions

Proven R&D leadership (10+ years), preferably in protein or meat

Track record of managing cross-functional product development at scale

Deep knowledge of regulatory, food safety, commercialization, and cost optimization

Experience working across branded and private label categories

High-level communication and influence skillsinternally and externally

Willingness to do both Strategic R&D work and cover a trial / first production with the team on the plant floor.

A driven leader with a hunger to develop the team and push to hit deliverables through obstacles

Strategic thinker with strong operational follow-through

Confident technical communicator and people leader

Comfortable managing complexity in a fast-paced environment

Growth mindset with a passion for continuous improvement

This is more than a leadership role it's a chance to build the R&D capability of tomorrow. Shape our innovation, coach our people, and lead with purpose.