Jenny Diehl
Eden Prairie,MN
Summary
Dynamic R&D leader with a strong track record in the food industry, driving impactful innovation and collaboration through strategic alignment. Successfully managed cross-functional teams and stakeholder engagement to align projects with corporate objectives, enhancing team capabilities and achieving measurable project outcomes.
Overview
24
24
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Director R&D – Food Innovation Edible Oils & Foodservice
CARGILL, INC.
Plymouth, MN
11.2024 - Current
- Global Food Enterprise
- Managed the research and development of new technologies and processes.
- Collaborated with stakeholders to align innovation initiatives with company goals.
- Oversaw project management processes to ensure alignment with corporate objectives.
- Directed stakeholder engagement efforts to enhance collaboration and communication.
- Managed budgets and resource allocation for multiple high-impact projects.
- Championed employee development programs to enhance team capabilities and performance.
- Mentored team members on best practices for fostering innovation culture.
NA Regional Director R&D – Foodservice & Retail Edible Oils
CARGILL, INC.
01.2022 - 01.2024
- North America Food Enterprise
- Directed R&D initiatives to enhance existing product lines and technology advancements.
- Facilitated training sessions for staff on new technologies and methodologies in R&D.
- Monitored progress on various research projects and adjusted resources.
Global Foodservice Technical Services Leader – McDonald’s
CARGILL, INC.
01.2019 - 01.2022
- Global Edible Oil Solutions (GEOS)
- Spearheaded the global frying oil contingency program for McDonald’s driving quick solutions during crisis and aligned global cross-functional team on execution timelines.
- Revitalized internal and external relationships for oils category, establishing Cargill as trusted expert for McDonald’s category decisions in global markets.
- Spearheaded global frying oil contingency program for McDonald’s, delivering timely solutions during crises and aligning global cross-functional team on execution timelines.
- Revitalized the relationships both internally and externally for the oils category driving McDonald’s to use Cargill as an oils experts for category decisions for global markets.
- Strengthened Cargill Global R&D Foodservice talent by mentoring and enabling the professional growth of 2 individuals (US, APAC). Identified growth opportunities to gain experience and connected them with mentors for cross training opportunities.
- Partnering across functions of FSQR, Regulatory, Core R&D, Protein to bring new ideas and showcase Cargill’s value to McDonald’s through “spotlights.”
Senior Product Development Manager
SAM’S CLUB, WAL-MART, INC.
Bentonville, AR
01.2016 - 01.2019
- Dry Grocery, Private Brands
- Drove category growth and elevated Sam’s Club ($10B) Private Brand “Member’s Mark” product line with new innovation and item launches within dry grocery including: Breakfast, Canned Proteins, Soups, Sauces, Dry Pastas, Condiments, Oils, Rice, and Bulk Commodities across their 600 locations in U.S. and Puerto Rico.
- Co-led global partnership and marketing initiatives for Wal-Mart International & Jet.com, developing joint product line architecture.
- Cultivated cross-functional team of 15+ members across buyers, marketing, quality, and research and development to identify solutions enhancing product quality and clean label initiatives.
- Restructured and standardized relationship with 350+ food suppliers by creating new RFP procedures and launching Sam’s Club and Wal-Mart’s Global Quality and Specification System.
- Counseled internal buyers on global strategic sourcing trips while being the supplier’s main contact through RFP and product evolutions.
Senior Product Development II Manager
THE SCHWAN’S FOOD COMPANY
Stilwell, OK
01.2014 - 01.2016
- Desserts Category Lead
- Cultivated product development staff (7+ members) across two production facilities in Oklahoma and Georgia, developing new product lines and providing technical support to production staff.
- Cultivated a product development staff (7+ members) at two production facilities in Oklahoma and Georgia that developed new product lines and supplied technical support to production staff.
- Co-led innovation sessions to drive category growth in desserts and breaded par fried vegetables, transforming customer focus groups into actionable product development.
Senior Product Development Manager
THE SCHWAN’S FOOD COMPANY
01.2013 - 01.2014
- Mrs. Smith’s Pies
- Created and implemented primary shelf-life testing protocols, micro testing plans and procedures for frozen and RTE (ready to eat) products.
- Conducted sensory panels including triangle tests, difference from control, monadic sequential tests, and preference tests.
- Spearheaded a yield loss investigation team and created action plans for assessing and tracking improvements.
- Built strong relationships with foodservice and retail customers through thoughtful leadership and meeting customer expectations.
Director of Product Development
ALLEN CANNING COMPANY
Siloam Springs, AR
01.2010 - 01.2013
- Canned & Frozen Vegetables
- Fostered and developed a cross functional team of food scientists, laboratory technicians and office staff (12+ members).
- Spearheaded new product scale-ups, new equipment testing across 12 processing plants (both frozen and canned vegetable processing) across the U.S.
- Launched new branding for Allen’s private label with re-design of core products.
Manager of Product Development
ALLEN CANNING COMPANY
01.2008 - 01.2010
- Canned & Frozen Vegetables
- Created and implemented raw ingredient and finished product specifications, allergen and organic programs, plant audit programs and training programs.
- Formulated and launched products for customers including but not limited to (Wal-Mart, Costco, Brinker, YUM, Aldi’s, Cracker Barrel) within retail and foodservice.
Food Scientist, Hydrocolloid Specialist
TIC GUMS, INC.
Belcamp, MD
01.2003 - 01.2007
- Created and launched specialty starch and hydrocolloid blends for suppliers, CPG and foodservice customers in the USA, Mexico, Canada and China.
- Delivered engaging technical presentations and created relationships across external networks through lectures and panel discussions at events such as IFT and RCA.
Education
Masters of Science Degree - Food Science
Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University
Blacksburg, VA01-2003
Bachelors of Science Degree - Food Science
University of Arkansas
Fayetteville, AR01-2001
Skills
- Accountable
- Authentic
- Customer Centric
- Direct Communication
- Inclusive
- Innovative
- Leading Through Influence
- Mentoring & Coaching
- Problem Solving
- Resource Management
- Strategic
- Team Leadership
- Transparency
- Budget management
- Innovation strategy
- Stakeholder engagement
- Critical thinking
- Stakeholder relations
- Employee development
AWARDS & RECOGNITION
Cargill, Inc., 2022 Break Through Award Nominee, 2021 Foodservice Compass Award, Sam’s Club, 2018 Sam’s Merchant Team of the Quarter Award, 2017 Sam’s Vice President’s Award, 2016 Sam’s Excellence in Partnership Award, The Schwan’s Food Company, 2015 Schwan’s R&D Team of the Year, 2014 Marvin Schwan’s Excellence Award Nomination, 2013 Schwan’s High-Performance Award, TIC Gums, Inc., R&D Scientist of the Year
Affiliations
- Cargill R&D (Women in R&D) Leadership Team
- Cargill R&D (Women in R&D) STEM Committee Lead
- Mentor in Cargill’s Young Professional Network
- American Oil Chemist Society
- Women’s Foodservice Forum
- Volunteer at RMHC (Ronald McDonald House Charities)
Timeline
Senior Director R&D – Food Innovation Edible Oils & Foodservice
CARGILL, INC.
11.2024 - Current
NA Regional Director R&D – Foodservice & Retail Edible Oils
CARGILL, INC.
01.2022 - 01.2024
Global Foodservice Technical Services Leader – McDonald’s
CARGILL, INC.
01.2019 - 01.2022
Senior Product Development Manager
SAM’S CLUB, WAL-MART, INC.
01.2016 - 01.2019
Senior Product Development II Manager
THE SCHWAN’S FOOD COMPANY
01.2014 - 01.2016
Senior Product Development Manager
THE SCHWAN’S FOOD COMPANY
01.2013 - 01.2014
Director of Product Development
ALLEN CANNING COMPANY
01.2010 - 01.2013
Manager of Product Development
ALLEN CANNING COMPANY
01.2008 - 01.2010
Food Scientist, Hydrocolloid Specialist
TIC GUMS, INC.
01.2003 - 01.2007
Masters of Science Degree - Food Science
Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University
Bachelors of Science Degree - Food Science
University of Arkansas