TRI-K Summary:
Celebrating our 50th anniversary this year, TRI-K Industries, Inc. has been a leading provider of sustainable specialty ingredients since 1974. Our mission is to inspire consumer brands and enable their success by delivering differentiating technologies, prioritizing product efficacy and sustainability. Motivated by our core values of Empathy, Curiosity, and Excellence, our customers and partners get the attention, agility, and innovation they need to be successful in the marketplace. We specialize in proteins, including amino acids and natural peptides, modern preservatives, and multi-active, multi-functional ingredient solutions. Our in-house development team continually pioneers new materials, differentiating our customers’ brands. We strive to amplify consumers’ voices within our organization, ensuring we bring relevant offerings and innovations to the market.
Role Purpose:
This cross-functional leadership role specializes in driving skin care business development, innovative product and technology development, and facilitation of strategic communication/education with domestic and global customers. The role will develop customer insights and translate them into product development and/or sales opportunities. Besides strong technical skin care knowledge and background, strong partnership with business management, product development, evaluation, and formulation lab is also a significant requirement. The incumbent will work with the teams in Denville, NJ, and Derry, NH to optimize the scope and to maximize the impactfulness of TRI-K product claims. He/ She will be responsible for strengthening the new innovative concepts/ideas pipeline.
Moreover, through close collaboration with Business Managers, the incumbent will be a key member of the team responsible for identifying sales growth opportunities and assisting Sales Managers in converting those into active sales.
The incumbent will also generate and drive innovative ideas and solutions that can help us differentiate our products versus competition.
Above all, this position must have strong technical background in Skin Care and leadership skills working cross-functionally across R&D, Marketing, Business Management, Sales and Manufacturing.
Positions Reporting to this Position: No Supervisory responsibility at this time.
Role Objectives:
- Communicate with customers to effectively highlight the benefits, mechanism of action, formula compatibility of our products.
- Research the latest market trends, customer needs, and competitor positioning.
- Provide guidance to the Evaluations team in identifying the most effective means of demonstrating the efficacy of our products.
- Provide guidance to the Technical Services Team in addressing customer inquiries in a direct and succinct manner.
- Collaborate with the Sales, Marketing and Business Managers, to ensure effective marketing claims, and to ensure continued positive client relationships and to build relationships with new clients.
- Own and execute the Unmet Needs review of all skin-care related input from sales, marketing, etc. Prioritize ideas for the Innovation Stage Gate 1 review.
- Investigate possibilities and benefits of line extensions and functional blends surpassing industry standards.
- Research the feasibility of combining TRI-K products with other chemistries and technology promoting synergistic effects.
- Research prior patents to allow for “freedom to operate”.
- Provide guidance to the Applications Team in identifying the new emerging formulation trends that effectively highlight the benefits of our products.
- Design, research, develop, analyze and suggest new marketing concepts as well as strategies for hair care protein active ingredients.
- Monitor and evaluate competitive market intelligence, consumer trends, potential new products and applications, obsolete products, and general industry trends.
- Explore new partnerships and collaborations with academia.
- Lead R&D training programs and develop various tools and techniques for the sales team.
- Coach and mentor all R&D team members and become an incubator for inside and outside technical sales.
Requirements:
Strong Technical Background in Skin Biology with deep customer interactions is required. Incumbent must have a strong understanding of consumer trends and customers'. He/She should also have strong interpersonal skills in order to collaborate with customers, sales, cross functional teams and organizational stakeholders. Sound business acumen required.
Travel 35% travel including domestic/international with overnight stays to drive business development efforts.
Competencies:
To perform the job successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following competencies:
- Strong technical, commercial, and strategic acumen. Entrepreneurial orientation to grow business.
- Results oriented and display ownership & commitment to improve outcomes and achieve growth.
- Proven Leadership and Team Management skills.
- Exceptional verbal, written communication and presentation skills
- Comfort & capability to work effectively in a collaborative cross-functional organization.
- Analytical, Problem-Solving skills to find effective solutions and overcome market Challenges.
- Project Management - Develop project plans; Complete projects on time and budget.
- Strong time management and prioritization skills.
- Change Management - Develop workable implementation plans.
- Strategic Thinking - Develop and execute strategies to achieve organizational goals.
- Adaptability - Manage competing demands.
- Innovation - Develop and present innovative approaches and ideas.
Qualifications
Education/Experience:
Minimum of a BD Degree in Bio-Chemistry/ Cosmetology or related fields, and 10 years’ experience in personal care industry. MBA preferred.
Scientific Language Ability:
Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, patents, and governmental regulations. Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, and customers.
Analytical skills:
Analytical mindset with a problem-solving approach and address ambiguity. Knowledge of MS Suite, CRM and lab software and other computer tools is essential.
Physical Demands:
This position requires working at the Denville office, unless travelling to visit customers, attend trade shows.
We offer a competitive compensation package including:
- Medical
- Dental
- 401 (K)
- Vision
- Paid Time Off
- Life Insurance
- Pet Insurance
In addition to other programs and plans
TRI-K Industries is an equal opportunity employer and we celebrate and value diversity in our workforce. Hiring decisions are based on qualifications, merit, and business needs.