Open Innovation – Food R&D, Director(all genders)

Job Title: Director, Open Innovation - Food R&D

[Company Introduction]

CJ CheilJedang is a global food manufacturing company headquartered in Seoul, South Korea, known worldwide for its K-Food brand Bibigo. With operations spanning Asia, the Americas, and Europe, we combine deep food science expertise with a bold innovation culture to bring Korean and global tastes to customers in over 40 countries.

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[Position Overview]

The Director of Open Innovation is a key role responsible for driving open innovation in food science and technology within CJ Cheiljedang.

In this pivotal role, you will be responsible for leading the identification, assessment, and integration of cutting-edge technologies from the market into our company's R&D ecosystem. The ideal candidate will possess a deep understanding of emerging technologies, a strong network within the innovation community, and the ability to drive collaborative efforts for creating synergies that propel our organization to new heights.

[Job Duties]

• Execute Open Innovation strategic plan to access and prioritize best in class technology for product/category innovation aligned with company strategy and direction.
• Build and nurture CJ Cheiljedang's global R&D ecosystem, fostering relationships with external partners, industry experts, startups, and research organizations.
• Identify and evaluate emerging technologies, trends, and disruptive innovations that align with the company’s strategic objectives.
• Evaluate the feasibility and uniqueness of future technologies, aligning solutions with internal business applications, and identifying research collaborations with industry/academia.
• Conduct technical and business diligence on potential partners and technologies, ensuring alignment with CJ Cheiljedang’s innovation strategy.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders to understand business needs and facilitate the seamless integration of external technologies.
• Lead and negotiate strategic partnerships, joint development agreements, and technology access deals
• Manage the budget, resources, and timelines while ensuring compliance with safety, quality, and regulatory standards.

[Qualification]

• Strong understanding of Food industry, scientific disciplines, and emerging technologies.
• Outstanding expertise in food innovation, with a proven track record of launching novel products and entering markets.
• Fluent in English, with a preference for Korean.
• Exceptional networking and relationship-building skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work with cross-functional teams and drive results.
• Knowledge of intellectual property and licensing processes.
• Exceptional communication and presentation skills.
• Excellent analytical and strategic thinking abilities.
• Minimum of MS in Food Science, Engineering or related field.; MBA and/or PhD preferred.
• Track record of leading external collaborations, technology scouting, or venture partnerships in a food or CPG context is highly valued.

[Where You'll Work]

• Germany office-based or fully remote for candidates elsewhere
• But, periodic business travel required within countries in Europe.