Research and Development Supervisor jobs in Pompano Beach, FL

!!CREATE YOUR LEGACY WITH THE LEGACY COMPANIES!!

POSITION OVERVIEW: 

This position is responsible for testing and reporting on the quality of our small kitchen appliance samples to ensure that the products meet internal requirements and specifications, perform as intended as well as meet external customer compliance. Additionally, this role is responsible to assist in the creation of content to be utilized in cookbooks, on social media platforms, on any websites directed by The Legacy Companies, and in other promotional materials as requested by the company. The role must continuously look for opportunities to improve the end user experience by making recommendations on usage, accessibility and ease of use while updating and modifying existing recipes intended for each product by performing the following duties: 

 ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES: 

• Examine and test small kitchen electrics and other products in a timely and accurate manner, before product is finalized for manufacturing; identify and execute testing with minimal guidance from management.
• Provide recommendations for optimal settings/presets for all digital products.
• Critically think about the level of testing required that makes sense for each specific product to demonstrate intended output; provide valuable feedback regarding issues, concerns, perceptions and results.
• Help Engineering team to develop both Quality Assurance and Culinary testing protocols, in line with the consumer expectations.
• Provide constructive feedback to Engineering and Product management about product functionality and performance of products.
• Provide Sourcing & Product Management with usage insights and information on functionality to be taken into consideration for new features, upcoming versions and specific modified SKUs. 
• Identify opportunities for improvements and help others to identify opportunity for improvements by providing clear and constructive feedback on each item, as well as provide potential solutions, when possible. 
• Work closely with the VPs of Engineering, Sourcing & Product management team to understand the business vision and product strategy for The Legacy Companies brands as well as for private label customers. 
• Develop a deep understanding of consumer kitchen products, as well as behavioral data in order to spot signals or opportunities to provide valuable insights that can enhance our product development and strategy.
• Maintain a thorough understanding of the company’s products, product strategies and sourcing requirements to make recommendations to increase usage and overall success of each product tested. 
• Using previous cooking experience/know-how, alter existing recipes or create new recipes to maximize results for intended product; make recommendations for recipe alterations based on current food trends or performance expectation of the product.
• When required to update recipes, communicate, and document in a clear and concise way to be ultimately utilized by end-users; recommend new recipes based on concept items that are in discussion or not yet available on the market. 
• Research, monitor and benchmark existing competition and industry developments to identify potential new product opportunities; make product update recommendations based on current market data. 
• Partner with the Marketing and Design Team to create and enhance content based on food and product visuals; participate in photography, videos and other visuals when required. This position might require appearance and demonstrations of products on the company’s videos, assets and social media communications.
• Utilizing culinary background and experience, make recommendations to the Marketing, Design & E-Comm management regarding content, while adhering to brand guidelines and directives. 
• Under the advisement of the Trade marketing team, ensure culinary content creation aligns with product branding, messaging, and direction of promotions, programs, or customer need.
• Provide onsite product cooking demos to include onboarding, new product training, product refreshers or internal team-based product events. 
• When required, provide product demos at tradeshows and/or events; serve as the onsite culinary specialist. 
• Work with VP of Product Development and Innovation and VP of Engineering on special projects. 
• Other duties as assigned by Management. 

Hybrid Schedule:

• Hybrid work involves spending two days in the office and three days working remote.

Travel Requirements:

• 25% of the time is designated for travel.

MINIMUM QUALFICATIONS/SKILLS/COMPETENCIES:

Education and/or Experience:                                                

• Bachelor’s Degree and/or two to four years related experience and/or training; formal training at culinary school, or equivalent combination of education and experience. Experience in culinary styling/video staging / photography staging is an asset.

Supervisory Responsibilities:                                    

• This position has no supervisory duties currently but is responsible for maintaining the TLC test kitchen.

Language Skills:                                                          

• Ability to read and interpret documents such as customer & coworker emails, training documents, and procedure manuals.  
• Ability to write routine correspondence, copy for product, language for manuals and ability to proofread text.  Ability to speak effectively with customers and employees. Must be fluent in English.

Mathematical Skills:                                                   

• Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, interest, commissions, proportions, and percentages. Ability to apply concepts of basic algebra and geometry.

Reasoning Ability: 

• Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists.
• Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram or schedule form.               

Computer Skills:                                                          

• To perform this job successfully, an individual should have knowledge of Database programs, Microsoft Office - Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and CRM software.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations:

• Valid driver's license.

 COMPETENCIES:                                                          

• Strategic Thinking – Understands organization’s systems, processes & procedures and how these fit with company’s goals & values.
• Judgment – Exhibits sound and accurate judgment; Supports and explains reasoning for decisions; Includes appropriate people in decision-making process.
• Written Communication - Writes clearly and informatively; Edits work for spelling and grammar; Varies writing style to meet needs; Presents numerical data effectively; Able to read and interpret written information.
• Interpersonal Skills - Focuses on solving conflict, not blaming; Maintains confidentiality; Listens to others without interrupting; Keeps emotions under control; Remains open to others' ideas and tries new things.
• Oral Communication - Speaks clearly and persuasively in positive or negative situations; listens and gets clarification; Responds well to questions; Demonstrates group presentation skills; communicates with various departments in-house effectively.
• Teamwork - Balances team and individual responsibilities; Exhibits objectivity and openness to others' views; Gives and welcomes feedback; Contributes to building a positive team spirit; Puts success of team above own interests.
• Organizational Support – Follows policies and procedures; Completes administrative tasks correctly and timely; Supports company’s goals & values.
• Professionalism - Approaches others in a tactful manner; Reacts well under pressure; Treats others with respect and consideration regardless of their status or position; Accepts responsibility for own actions; Follows through on commitments; Maintains company’s confidentiality regarding accounting information.
• Attendance/Punctuality - Is consistently at work and on time.
• Dependability - Follows instructions, responds to management direction; Takes responsibility for own actions; Keeps commitments; Completes tasks on time and notifies team lead.
• Initiative - Asks for and offers help when needed; Seeks increased responsibilities; Volunteers readily.
• Business Acumen - Understands business implications of decisions; Displays orientation to profitability; Demonstrates knowledge of market and competition; Aligns work with strategic goals.
• Quality – Demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness; Looks for ways to improve and promote quality; Applies feedback to improve performance; Monitors own work to ensure quality.
• Quantity – Meets productivity standards; Completes work in timely manner; Strives to increase productivity; Works quickly.
• Time Management – Appropriately works towards deadlines; Prioritizes workload efficiently and effectively; Plans and adapts to changing responsibilities.
• Adaptability – Adapts to changes in the work environment; Manages competing demands.

 PHYSICAL DEMAND:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; talk or hear and taste or smell. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; climb or balance and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is occasionally exposed to moving mechanical parts. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.