This position will be located in our Tampa, Florida office.

UJZ Foods is a combination of two long established protein companies. Uncle John’s is a fresh and smoked sausage processor located in Tampa, Florida. Uncle John’s features brand name products under the banners of Uncle John’s, Garcia, Atlanta Sausage Company, and Realtree. The Garcia brand dates back to the 1960’s and the Uncle John’s brand to the 1970’s. Uncle John’s was acquired by the current investors in 2022.

The Zummo Meat Company was created in 1908 in Beaumont, TX and manufactures high quality, fresh and smoked sausage and boudin. The organization also offers jambalaya and dirty rice products. Zummo was acquired by the current investors in September of 2023. The two organizations were integrated and now managed as a single entity known as UJZ Foods. The combined organization has top line revenue of roughly $75M. The combined brands also rank as a top ten manufacturer nationally in the dinner sausage space.

The vision of the organization is to grow from a regional manufacturer to a super-regional and ultimately a national player in the sausage and adjacent spaces. To accomplish this growth plan, the organization must build out its overall management capabilities. 

The current product portfolio is mainly fresh and smoked sausages sold through the retail and food service channels (70% retail, 30% food service). The three main brands based on sales are Zummo’s, Garcia and Uncle John’s. The brands have distribution in national and regional grocery chains such as Walmart, Kroger, Publix, HEB, Sam’s and Winn-Dixie and distribution in national and regional broadline distributors such as Sysco, US Foods, Ben E Keith, Performance Food Group and Cheney Brothers.

Our products are manufactured in two main facilities. The plant in Tampa is a 42,000 sq. ft location that recently added 6,000 additional sq ft of additional warehouse space. The plant in Beaumont is 45,000 sq. ft and includes both protein and rice handling capabilities. Having its own manufacturing facilities allows the Company to control all aspects of the manufacturing and distribution of its products. Both locations are certified by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Food Safety and Inspection Service and have received their SQF certification. 

SUMMARY

 The R&D Director will report to the Vice President of Marketing and R&D in our Tampa, Florida office. This role will lead product development efforts across retail and food service product lines. They will lead the production of samples for internal and external tastings and play a role in optimizing product recipes prior to launching in the market. 

Responsibilities and Duties

• Lead the development of new foodservice and retail products.
• Identify opportunities for process improvements including equipment recommendations, process mapping and new raw material sourcing
• Optimize product formulations using least cost formulation and knowledge of raw materials
• Collaborate closely with marketing to create multi-year innovation pipelines that marry feasibility with consumer insights. 
• Collaborate with marketing, sales, operations and finance to define and deliver against product development design specs
• Participate in new product ideation sessions, providing perspective on feasibility to develop and scale concepts
• Lead the execution of the development of new products from concept to commercialization with activities that include bench top development, small batch plant testing and scale-up production at federally inspected production facility
• Manage multiple projects independently from concept to commercialization
• Proactively help team identify new raw materials, ingredients, and processes to deliver against design specs, improve product quality and optimize efficiencies
• Match product specs to create items for food service and private label projects
• Lead product cuttings, capture team and customer feedback and make necessary formula changes
• Ensure costing structure meets financial expectations of projects by evaluating and recommending cost effective raw material options
• Develop and implement R&D processes to optimize new product development timelines and maintain accurate recordkeeping

QUALIFICATIONS

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.  Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Good verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to use Microsoft Office suite (Word, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint)
• Must have ability to effectively communicate with cross functional business partners
• Strong critical thinking, analytical and problem-solving skills
• Understanding of product formulation, food processing and the Research and Development process
• Understanding of regulatory labeling and food safety requirements

Travel:

• 20% per year, including customer meetings, plant production facilities for testing and commercialization of new products, and trade shows

CORE COMPETENCIES

• Detail oriented and self-motivated, desire to learn new skills for professional growth.
• Passionate about food
• Collaborative with team members
• Commitment to company values and ethics.
• Dependability: personally responsible, completes work in a timely manner, and performs tasks accurately.
• Motivation: must maintain a positive attitude and strong work energy.
• Initiative: plans work and carries out tasks without detailed instructions, prepares for problems or opportunities in advance, undertakes additional responsibilities.
• Management: must possess coaching and development skills.
• Organization: very detailed oriented and always prepared.
• Analytical Skills: must be able to use data to determine cause and effect for complex problem solving.
• Communication: excellent interpersonal and oral and written communications skills.
• Authentic passion for brand building, new product introduction, delicious food, and fun with your team and colleagues 

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

• BS in Food Science or Food Engineering with a minimum of 7 years of relevant experience, or MS with minimum of 5 years of experience. Meat Science degree/experience is highly preferred
• Experience with processed meat production and smokehouses is beneficial to this role.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demand and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodation 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 walk and talk or hear.  Must be able to stand for periods of time with frequent moving throughout the R&D and production area. Bending/Push/pull/lift boxes up to 50 pounds.

Must have taste and smell.  The employee is frequently required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The physical demand and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is inside a central heated and air-conditioned office building.  There may be a need to enter and walk through a manufacturing setting and wear appropriate PPE.  The noise level in the work environment is moderate.

About UJZ Foods

UJZ Foods is a combination of two long established protein companies. Uncle John’s is a fresh and smoked sausage processor located in Tampa, Florida. Uncle John’s features brand name products under the banners of Uncle John’s, Garcia, Atlanta Sausage Company, and Realtree. The Garcia brand dates back to the 1960’s and the Uncle John’s brand to the 1970’s. Uncle John’s was acquired by the current investors in 2022. The Zummo Meat Company was created in 1908 in Beaumont, TX and manufactures high quality, fresh and smoked sausage and boudin. The organization also offers jambalaya and dirty rice products. Zummo was acquired by the current investors in September of 2023. The two organizations were integrated and now managed as a single entity known as UJZ Foods. The combined organization has top line revenue of roughly $75M. The combined brands also rank as a top ten manufacturer nationally in the dinner sausage space. The vision of the organization is to grow from a regional manufacturer to a super-regional and ultimately a national player in the sausage and adjacent spaces. To accomplish this growth plan, the organization must build out its overall management capabilities. UJZ F...oods is driving strategic revenue growth by expanding current customer relationships and aggressively securing new business wins, supporting the organization’s organic and acquisition-driven growth initiatives. The current product portfolio is mainly fresh and smoked sausages sold through the retail and food service channels (70% retail, 30% food service). The three main brands based on sales are Zummo’s, Garcia and Uncle John’s. The brands have distribution in national and regional grocery chains such as Walmart, Kroger, Publix, HEB, Sam’s and Winn-Dixie and distribution in national and regional broadline distributors such as Sysco, US Foods, Ben E Keith, Performance Food Group and Cheney Brothers. Our products are manufactured in two main facilities. The plant in Tampa is a 42,000 sq. ft location that recently added 6,000 additional sq ft of additional warehouse space. The plant in Beaumont is 45,000 sq. ft and includes both protein and rice handling capabilities. Having its own manufacturing facilities allows the Company to control all aspects of the manufacturing and distribution of its products. Both locations are certified by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Food Safety and Inspection Service and have received their SQF certification.

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