Director R&D Operations - North America

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Job Title: Director R&D Operations - North America
Location: Elk River, MN, Midwest United States, USA

Company: Cargill, Inc
Industry Sector: Agribusiness
Industry Type: Input Retail, Cooperative and Related Crop Services
Career Type: Editorial/Writing
Job Type: Full Time
Salary: USD 132,000.00 - 224,000.00 per year
Job Description: Cargill's size and scale allows us to make a positive impact in the world. Our purpose is to nourish the world in a safe, responsible and sustainable way.
Cargill is a family company providing food, ingredients, agricultural solutions and industrial products that are vital for living. We connect farmers with markets so they can prosper. We connect customers with ingredients so they can make meals people love. And we connect families with daily essentials - from eggs to edible oils, salt to skincare, feed to alternative fuel. Our 160,000 colleagues, operating in 70 countries, make essential products that touch billions of lives each day. Join us and reach your higher purpose at Cargill.
This position is in Cargill's animal nutrition and health business, where we improve animal lives through better nutrition. Our team researches, innovates and creates solutions that deliver healthy results for our customers.

Job Purpose and Impact

The Director, R&D Operations - North America will lead and provide direction to a team of experienced professionals, oversee the animal care activities, the infrastructure and overall facilities management in the assigned sites. In this role, you will lead the team to organize and execute animal trials and deliver high quality data into research projects by collaborating with the essential leads and ensure all regulations related to animal welfare and the environmental health and safety and infrastructure are adhered. You will also be accountable for the site profit and loss, the permits to operate animal research and charged with administration related to the facility.

Key Accountabilities

Lead a team that conducts research across various species segments in line with the defined strategy and develop team members capability to maximize productivity and efficiency to meet business needs.
Provide direction and coaching to the team to meet research project timelines and ensure proper data capture to maintain research excellence.
Own the profit and loss of the sites to ensure appropriate financial management.
Partner collaboratively with trial application to continuously improve trial quality and work across the company network to adopt and share best practices.
Develop the strategy for the adoption of innovation and hospitality to meet customers requirements while ensuring company policies including animal welfare and employee safety are adhered.
Ensure the maintenance and currency of procedure documentation, permits and subsidies.
Develop plans and deliver results in a fast-changing business or regulatory environment, while leading and developing a team of experienced professionals and supervisors, coaching and making decisions related to talent management hiring, performance and disciplinary actions. You will also collaborate with managers and supervisors in your organization to ensure staff selections align with current and future needs.
Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in a related field or equivalent experience
Minimum of six years of related work experience in R&D Operations or related field
Experience working with experimental animals
Able and willing to travel 15%

Preferred Qualifications

Three years of supervisory experience
Experience working with large animals
Project Management certificate or equivalent experience

Applicant Information

This position is onsite: Minnesota: Elk River
Relocation assistance can be provided for this role

The expected salary for this position is $132,000 to 224,000. Compensation varies depending on a wide array of factors including but not limited to the specific location, certifications, education, and level of experience. The disclosed range estimate may be adjusted for any applicable geographic differential associated with the location at which the position may be filled. This position is eligible for a discretionary incentive award. The incentive award amount is dependent upon company performance and your personal performance.

At Cargill we put people first. As part of your overall rewards, we offer a comprehensive benefit program including medical and/or other benefits dependent on the position offered and hours worked. Visit: https://www.cargill.com/page/my-health/mh-health-and-wellness to learn more (subject to certain collective bargaining agreements for Union positions).

Equal Opportunity Employer, including Disability/Vet.

Minnesota Sick and Safe Leave accruals of one hour for every 30 worked, up to 48 hours per calendar year unless otherwise provided by law.

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Job Post Date: 08/19/25