Jay Staiger
Williamston,SC
Summary
Dynamic R&D leader driving innovation and product safety through strategic oversight of quality systems and regulatory compliance. Successfully led cross-functional teams to launch over 600 grocery products, achieving significant reductions in complaints per million units. Expertise in market analysis ensures alignment with industry trends.
Overview
19
19
years of professional experience
Work History
Director of Research and Development
Sauer Brands, Inc.
Mauldin, SC
09.2020 - 07.2026
- Provide strategic leadership for product safety, regulatory compliance, and enterprise quality systems supporting new product development & operational initiatives.
- Lead cross-functional R&D and quality teams to design and implement improved programs and operational standards across a range of product lines.
- Directed regulatory risk mitigation and incident resolution, ensuring compliance with federal and international food safety and labeling regulations.
- Oversaw development and monitoring of enterprise quality assurance programs, establishing standards, procedures, and performance metrics.
- Partner with cross-functional teams to evaluate product claims, operating practices, and regulatory requirements when launching new products or entering new markets.
- Conducted market and technology trend analysis to shape innovation strategy and guide product development initiatives.
- Manage project planning, prioritization, and technical resource allocation for R&D initiatives supporting business growth.
Senior Product Development Manager II
Walmart
Bentonville, AR
10.2018 - 07.2020
- Led end-to-end product development and commercialization for shelf-stable fruits, vegetables, meats, and cheeses representing a $1.14B annual private-brand portfolio.
- Directed development, sourcing, packaging design, and launch of 600+ grocery products, enhancing category diversity and driving market competitiveness.
- Achieved the largest reduction in Complaints Per Million Units (CPMU) among product developers in Q1 2019 through improved supplier specifications and quality oversight.
- Led onboarding of 15+ suppliers, improving supply chain resilience and reinforcing product quality and regulatory compliance standards.
- Collaborated with regulatory, legal, supply chain, packaging, and merchandising teams to streamline product commercialization and optimize retail launch process.
Technical Service Manager II / Applications Specialist
Sensient Technologies LLC
St. Louis, MO
02.2015 - 10.2018
- Director of the US Industrial Colors Technical Services/R&D department.
- Developed new products and formulations tailored to customer needs.
- Assisted in process improvements for manufacturing and oversaw implementation of new products and pilot runs.
- Reviewed laboratory capabilities, identified gaps, and proposed solutions to streamline new product development (NPD) projects.
- Performed root cause analysis on complaints and/or manufacturing defects.
- Work closely with other departments including sales account managers, supply chain, customer service, and other R&D departments as well as directly with vendors and customers.
Product Manager / Technical Marketing Specialist
Sigma Aldrich Corporation
St. Louis, MO
03.2008 - 01.2015
- Advanced through leadership roles in biotechnology product development and commercialization.
- Managed lifecycle support for 4,000+ cell culture products.
- Led the Zinc Finger Nuclease (ZFN) assembly team within the CompoZr manufacturing program.
- Implemented process innovations that increased production capacity tenfold while reducing costs.
- Achieved 95% on-time delivery performance against an 80% target.
- Trained and supervised scientists and lab technicians to enhance team capabilities.
- Key achievements:
Biochemist / Molecular Biologist II
Monsanto Company
St. Louis, MO
10.2007 - 02.2008
- Developed transgenic cotton and corn pipeline in Agricultural Traits Program, enhancing crop trait innovation.
- Conducted experiments to analyze biochemical properties of agricultural products.
- Developed methods to improve crop yield and resistance to pests.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams on research projects and product development.
Education
Doctorate of Philosophy - Biochemistry
University of Arkansas
Fayetteville, AR10-2007
Bachelor of Science - Chemistry, General Agriculture
Missouri State University (Southwest Missouri State University)
Springfield, MO05-2003
Skills
- Strategic R&D Leadership
- Product development
- Food safety compliance
- Quality systems
- Regulatory Risk Management
- Supplier development
- Cross-Functional Team Leadership
- Innovation Management
- Lifecycle management
- Market analysis
- Data-driven decisions
- Team Development
Awards
- University of Arkansas, Distinguished Doctoral Fellow, 2003 to 2007
- University of Arkansas, Baum Teaching Award Honorable Mention, 2004
- Missouri State University, Outstanding Graduating Senior in Chemistry Award, 2003
- Missouri State University, ACS Outstanding Analytical Chemistry Student, 2001
- Missouri State University, ACS Outstanding Organic Chemistry Student, 2002
- Missouri State University, Delta Tau Alpha Outstanding Freshman Agriculture Student, 2000
- Billings, MO High School, Valedictorian (4.0 GPA), 1999
- Missouri High School Activities Association, Basketball All-State Selection, 1999
Timeline
Director of Research and Development
Sauer Brands, Inc.
09.2020 - 07.2026
Senior Product Development Manager II
Walmart
10.2018 - 07.2020
Technical Service Manager II / Applications Specialist
Sensient Technologies LLC
02.2015 - 10.2018
Product Manager / Technical Marketing Specialist
Sigma Aldrich Corporation
03.2008 - 01.2015
Biochemist / Molecular Biologist II
Monsanto Company
10.2007 - 02.2008
Doctorate of Philosophy - Biochemistry
University of Arkansas
Bachelor of Science - Chemistry, General Agriculture
Missouri State University (Southwest Missouri State University)