Director, Innovation R&D
Company: High Liner Foods
Location: Portsmouth
Posted on: January 9, 2026
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Job Description:
Job Details Description We are seeking a dynamic and
collaborative Director of Innovation Research and Development to
lead the development and commercialization of new products and
platforms across our North American retail, foodservice, and
private label businesses. The ideal candidate will bring strong
technical expertise, deep familiarity with food product
development, proven leadership, and a passion for innovation. This
role will work cross-functionally with key business, technical and
operational stakeholders—such as marketing, quality, supply chain,
and procurement—to ensure excellence in product design and
commercialization. The Director will focus on breakthrough (new to
the category) and breakout (new to the company) products, working
in partnership with the Director, Culinary Innovation on all phases
of the product development process from concept to successful
launch, and play a critical role in optimizing insights,
ingredients, formulations, technologies and processes to drive
profitable, operationally efficient growth. Essential Duties and
Responsibilities Innovation & Product Development Lead, in
partnership with the Director, Culinary Innovation, the development
and execution of the breakthrough and breakout product innovation
strategy aligned with High Liner Foods’ growth priorities and
objectives across all customer segments (retail, foodservice,
private label). Contribute significantly to the identification and
evaluation of innovation territories and the creation of a 3 year
pipeline of breakthrough and breakout platforms and products. Drive
(and where necessary create or optimize) the technical product
development processes to create products that meet the consumer,
customer, cost and supply chain requirements of each project. Own
the creation of project cost targets and delivery of them,
including post-launch productivity projects Provide technical
leadership and documentation in support of structured innovation
processes such as Stage Gate, including key milestone reviews and
PMR (Project Management Review). Manage multiple concurrent product
development workflows, including documentation, specifications,
product evaluations, sample creation, and integration of design
feedback. Collaborate with marketing and insights teams to plan and
facilitate ideation and feedback sessions, ensuring the voice of
the customer and consumer throughout all stages of product
development. Support cross-functional teams in sample creation,
production trials, and commercialization, ensuring technical and
operational alignment. Communicate effectively in cross-functional
forums, articulating key opportunities, risks, and milestones to
support informed decision-making. Demonstrate strong business
acumen and enterprise thinking while influencing, negotiating, and
building relationships across the organization. Lead multiple
R&D initiatives—new product development and process or product
renovations—ensuring prioritization, resource optimization,
timeline management, and budget adherence. People & Team Leadership
Achieve strategic and functional objectives through others by
fostering a culture of trust, collaboration, accountability and
mutual respect. Inspire and challenge a high-performing R&D
team to meet company objectives with creativity, adaptability, and
resilience. Establish and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs)
to drive continuous improvement and maximize team effectiveness.
Develop and manage the R&D budget with a focus on fiscal
responsibility and resource optimization. Compliance & Quality
Ensure product development meets all customer, regulatory, and
internal standards for food safety, quality and compliance. Partner
with QA and regulatory teams to maintain documentation and support
audits or customer inquiries. Qualifications Bachelor’s or Master’s
degree in Food Science, Food Technology, or a related field. 8–10
years of progressive R&D experience in the food manufacturing
industry; seafood experience is helpful but not required. Deep
expertise in product development, ingredient functionality, and
processing/manufacturing technologies. Deep familiarity with
culinary development principles and practices, with experience of
collaborating with culinary professionals. Proven ability to lead
R&D teams and manage cross-functional innovation and
development projects of varying size, complexity, and strategic
importance. Strong project management and organizational skills
with a track record of delivering on timelines and objectives.
Excellent communication, collaboration, and interpersonal skills;
able to manage conflict constructively and influence across
functions. Strong analytical, critical thinking, and
problem-solving abilities. Skilled in negotiation and able to
effectively manage competing priorities. Willingness and ability to
travel to High Liner manufacturing sites, co-packers, and supplier
partners as needed (domestically and internationally). Whats in it
for you? Join High Liner Foods for a career where you shape your
path, backed by great benefits, flexible work, and a culture of
diversity, innovation, and sustainability. Immerse yourself in
opportunities to make a real impact and grow with us in our mission
to nourish lives. Start your adventure where endless possibilities
to thrive together await. Competitive Salary Heath, dental & vision
coverage Pay for performance incentives Employee & Family
assistance programs Wellness Programs Retirement Planning
Supplemental Parental Leaves Disability Support Family friendly
Flex policies & Summer hours Volunteer hours Learning and
mentorship opportunities Safety focused work environment
Keywords: High Liner Foods, Somerville , Director, Innovation R&D, Retail - All , Portsmouth, Massachusetts
