Director of Innovation - Merriam, KS

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We have an exciting Director of Innovation opportunity in our organization. In this role, you will lead Seaboard Foods' product innovation strategy and oversee the development and commercialization of value-added pork products across key growth categories. The Director of Innovation will provide strategic direction for the innovation pipeline, ensuring alignment with business objectives, customer needs, and market trends while leading and developing the products and translating innovation initiatives into scalable, commercially successful solutions across retail and foodservice channels.

ABOUT US

At Seaboard Foods, we create the most sought-after pork. As one of the nation's leading pork producers and exporters, we are committed to producing high-quality food responsibly while connecting every step from our farms to family tables. More than 5,400 employees across five states support our farms, feed mills, and processing operations, helping deliver Prairie Fresh pork to customers in more than 30 countries worldwide. At Seaboard Foods, we value teamwork, integrity, safety, and continuous improvement. As a Fortune 500 employer and recent Business Journal "Best Places to Work" nominee, we are proud to foster a culture where employees can grow, contribute, and make a meaningful impact.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

This list is not intended to be all-inclusive, and other duties may be assigned.

• Define and lead the product innovation strategy for value-added pork categories, aligning initiatives with company growth priorities.
• Own and manage the innovation pipeline and roadmap, maintaining a balanced portfolio of short- and long-term opportunities.
• Lead, coach, and develop the product innovation team, establishing clear priorities, accountability, and a high-performance culture.
• Oversee end-to-end product development from concept through commercialization, ensuring effective execution of the stage-gate process.
• Drive cross-functional alignment across Marketing, Sales, Operations, and Supply Chain to support successful product launches and commercialization efforts.
• Translate consumer, customer, and market insights into actionable innovation strategies and differentiated product opportunities.
• Ensure products are scalable and aligned with manufacturing capabilities, including packaging formats, plant constraints, and regulatory/USDA requirements.
• Build and manage external partnerships while driving business impact through successful innovation initiatives that deliver revenue growth, margin improvement, and cost optimization.

CORE COMPETENCIES FOR SUCCESS IN ALL ROLES

Instills trust, communicates effectively, is action-oriented, ensures accountability, and drives results.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required or preferred. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Required:

• Bachelor's degree in Meat Science, Food Science, or related field
• 8-12+ years of experience in meat/protein product development, R&D, or innovation
• Proven experience leading innovation strategy and commercialization of value-added products
• Hands-on experience in formulation and commercialization of value-added protein products

Preferred:

• Experience across bacon, sausage, marinated/seasoned pork, ham, cooked meats, and case-ready categories
• Strong knowledge of processing, packaging, and plant operations
• Experience working with retail and foodservice customers
• Established industry network (suppliers, customers, co-packers)
• Proficiency in Excel and PowerPoint

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The physical and work demands listed below are representative of those an employee should possess to successfully perform the essential functions of the position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to move around the facility.
• The employee must regularly lift and move up to 25 pounds and occasionally lift and move up to 50 pounds.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
• Primarily an office environment with some need to work in the field.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee occasionally works near moving mechanical parts; and in outside weather conditions and is occasionally exposed to fumes or airborne particles and vibration.
• The noise level in the work environment depends on which environment you are in.
• The hours and days of work are established by departmental needs and at the discretion of management. After-hours, weekends, and overnight travel as requested.

WHY SEABOARD FOODS?

• Medical, vision, and dental benefits
• 401(k) with company match
• Paid Time Off and company holidays
• Wellness program and employee pork purchase program
• Tuition reimbursement

For a complete list of our benefits, please visit our career site: https://www.seaboardfoods.com/careers/why-sbf/

Seaboard Foods is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, gender identity, protected veterans' status, status as a disabled individual, or any other status protected by law.