About Ingredion:

Join Ingredion, where innovation impacts lives worldwide! Without even realizing it, you’ve experienced our work in your favorite chocolate, your pet’s food, the paper you write on, and your everyday snacks. As a global powerhouse across more than 60 industries, we harness the potential of natural ingredients to transform lives. Whether you’re just starting your career or bringing years of experience, there's a place for you here to make a real difference. Be part of our team that values a wide range of perspectives and is committed to shaping a better world with every product we create.

                             

Location: Bridgewater, NJ

Workplace type: On-Site/Hybrid (4 days/week on-site & 1 day/week remote)

The Manager, Dairy & Dairy Alternatives Applications is responsible for driving Dairy & Dairy Alternatives category applications and formulation expertise globally. The Manager, Dairy & Dairy Alternatives will provide technical category leadership for the multi-region commercialization of new products and innovative customized solutions.

The candidate will work closely with our regional category leaders and customers, providing leadership to translate voice of customer and key customer value propositions to technical solutions that make our customer’s breakthroughs possible. They will be able to navigate ambiguity, working closely with the Global and Regional Technical and Marketing functions to identify opportunities, creating solutions that maximize customer value.  

The Dairy & Dairy Alternatives Applications Manager will lead the creation of technology roadmaps for Dairy & Dairy Alternatives category innovation grounded on a deep understanding of articulated and latent customer and consumer needs. They will collaborate with regional technical teams to create, assess, and validate new formulations and innovative ingredient solutions. The candidate will develop a team of 4-5 scientists and create an environment that fosters innovation and promotes the introduction of ideas and product concepts for the category.

What You'll do:

Build a deep understanding of category consumer trends, customer problems and needs through close cross-functional collaboration with regional category teams and global partners including Strategic Marketing and Insights.Translate voice of customer and key customer value propositions from regional category teams to technical solutions that make our customer’s breakthroughs possible.Lead, grow, and empower talented technical professionals through mentoring and meaningful development plans. Identify gaps and develop new capabilities and expertise among the team.Manage relationships across region and global teams to create strong networks and foster collaboration in the Dairy & Dairy Alternatives category.Develop and implement a technical strategy working with global and regional teams to identify and bring new ingredients to market, formulating solutions for Dairy & Dairy Alternatives applications.Provide Dairy & Dairy Alternatives category thought leadership through a solid understanding of the category and its current and future drivers, and the corresponding technical capabilities to deliver differentiated solutions.Develop new Dairy & Dairy Alternatives formulation concepts focused on novel texture and healthful solutions by leveraging ingredients and processes which can be applied globally. Leverage industrial expertise to develop and commercialize new ingredient solutions and technologies grounded on customer insights.Develop and sponsor industry innovation workshops for key industry organization meetings and customers in the U.S. and globally.Champion and support Ingredion’s Intellectual Property strategy and develop patent applications. Conducting prior art searches (literature, patents) related to projects and stay abreast of Dairy & Dairy Alternatives technology and category landscape (market trends, IP landscape, emerging technologies).

What you will bring:

MS/PhD in Food Science, Food Process Engineering, or closely related field with 10+ years of progressive experience in food formulation/ product development and a passion for food science.Experience in Food Research & Development commercializing consumer-packaged goods is highly desirable.Demonstrated hands-on product development experience and knowledge in Dairy & Dairy Alternatives category application segments (yogurt and fermented milk products, cheese, ready to drink beverages, ice cream, and their plant-based alternatives).Knowledge of starches, hydrocolloids and other texturizers, specialty sweeteners and plant-based protein ingredients in food applications.Excellent technical skills with the ability to act as the recognized technical lead and Dairy & Dairy Alternatives category subject matter expert within the Innovation community.Ability to mentor and build team capabilities in innovation and new product development to deliver excellence in food formulation.Ability to inform and influence decisions at all levels in the organization.Ability to engage and build working relationships effectively with diverse stakeholders across functions and levels of the organization.

Who you are:

An Analytical and critical thinker with excellent business acumen and strong problem-solving skills.Flexible and adaptable, comfortable leading multiple projects concurrently.Curious and creative with a customer-focused mindset, has the ability to proactively inspire change.

Why Join Ingredion? 

Discover why Ingredion is the ideal place to advance your career with our exceptional rewards and benefits package designed to help you thrive. Create the future with us and enjoy:

Total Rewards Package – Competitive salary and performance-based pay recognizing your contributions to our success

Comprehensive Benefits & Wellness Support – Health, long-term savings, and resources for your physical, mental, and emotional well-being

Career Growth – Learning, training, and development opportunities, including tuition reimbursement

Employee Recognition Program – A culture of real-time appreciation, with personalized recognition rewards globally

Employee Discount Program – Provides exclusive discounts on everyday products, services, and travel

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We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. Ingredion seeks to provide a work environment that is free from harassment and discrimination. We will not tolerate any form of discrimination based on race, color, religion, age, gender, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, ancestry, handicap or disability—mental or physical—marital status, sexual orientation, veteran status, disability resulting from military service, or any other classification protected by law (“protected classifications”). We are committed to establishing and maintaining a work environment where everyone is treated with dignity and respect.

Ingredion provides accommodations to job applicants with disabilities throughout the hiring process. If a job applicant requires an accommodation during the application process or through the selection process, we will work with the applicant to meet the job applicant's accommodation needs.

Ingredion uses AI-enabled tools to support parts of the recruitment process, including resume screening and interview scheduling. These tools help match candidate skills to job requirements and streamline communication. All AI-assisted decisions are reviewed by our Talent Acquisition team to ensure fairness and compliance with applicable laws. By applying, you acknowledge that AI may be used to support your application journey.

Relocation Available:

Yes, Within Country

Pay Range:

$123,500.00-$164,700.00 Annual

This pay range is not a guarantee of compensation or salary. Final base salary will be determined based on several factors which may include but are not limited to responsibilities of the job, education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity, alignment with market data and applicable bargaining agreement (if any).

Incentive Compensation:

As a part of the total compensation package, this role may be eligible for the Ingredion Annual Incentive Plan or a role-specific commission/bonus.

Benefits:

Full-time roles are eligible for our comprehensive benefits package which includes medical, dental and vision coverage as well as a 401(k) plan with an competitive company match.