Jose Raul Gonzalez
Normal,IL
Summary
Innovative Research and Development Manager known for high productivity and efficient task completion. Specialize in project management, strategic planning, and team leadership. Excel in communication, problem-solving, and adaptability, ensuring seamless progress and innovation in complex projects
With over 12 years of experience in innovation and product development, I strive for the highest quality products with the best profit margins as a business in consideration of ease of manufacturing and customer satisfaction.
Overview
12
12
years of professional experience
Work History
Research and Development Manager
Watershed Foods
Gridley, IL
12.2012 - Current
- Developed and implemented research strategies to identify new products and services.
- Analyzed customer feedback surveys to inform product development decisions.
- Conducted market research to evaluate the effectiveness of existing products and services.
- Led cross-functional teams in brainstorming sessions to develop innovative solutions for product challenges.
- Collaborated with external vendors to source materials, components, and technologies necessary for product development initiatives.
- Managed the design process from concept through completion for all assigned projects.
- Created detailed project plans outlining timelines, milestones, deliverables, resources, budgets, and risks associated with each initiative.
- Monitored progress on projects and identified potential issues that could impact delivery deadlines or quality standards.
- Performed cost-benefit analyses to ensure proposed projects were financially viable.
- Developed processes and procedures to improve workflow efficiency across the R&D department.
- Provided leadership support to team members by offering guidance on complex tasks or assignments when needed.
- Identified opportunities for continuous improvement within existing processes or procedures used in R&D activities.
- Maintained documentation on all research efforts including results, findings, insights.
- Coordinated with other departments such as marketing or sales to ensure timely delivery of products.
- Assisted in the recruitment process of new personnel for the Research and Development Department.
- Organized regular meetings with internal stakeholders to discuss ongoing projects or initiatives.
- Ensured compliance with applicable regulations related to product development activities.
- Negotiated contracts with external suppliers providing components or materials required for production.
- Presented reports at executive level meetings summarizing progress on key projects and initiatives.
- Liaised with marketing, R&D leadership and customers to build out roadmap and own research projects.
- Recommended improvements to systems and related processes and worked with corresponding departments to implement improvements.
- Partnered across R&D organization to maintain engineering portfolio, enable development process, champion technical rigor and reliability and expand technical capabilities.
- Coordinated activities of R&D team to meet agreed department and project deliverables for active projects.
- Combined talents with sales, strategy and new business development to identify product opportunities and manage project portfolio.
- Built relationships with stakeholders, key partners and cross-divisional R&D leaders to implement road map and deliver on current projects.
- Trained and mentored team on best practices for root cause analysis to implement solutions.
- Worked with cross-functional teams to gain alignment and move initiatives from product ideas to commercialization.
- Remained calm and professional in stressful circumstances and effectively diffused tense situations.
- Completed thorough opening, closing, and shift change functions to maintain operational standards each day.
- Resolved customer inquiries and complaints requiring management-level escalation.
- Delegated work to staff, setting priorities and goals.
Senior Food Scientist
Watershed Foods
Gridley, IL
11.2017 - 12.2023
- Developed new food product formulations, processes and packaging to meet customer needs.
- Conducted sensory evaluations of products to ensure quality standards were met.
- Led cross-functional teams in the design, development and implementation of innovative food products.
- Created detailed reports on research findings and presented them to senior management.
- Reviewed existing recipes for cost effectiveness and process improvements.
- Implemented improved production methods that increased efficiency and reduced costs.
- Performed nutritional analysis of food products using computer software programs.
- Investigated consumer complaints related to food safety or product quality issues.
- Researched current trends in the industry to identify potential opportunities for innovation.
- Analyzed shelf life stability data and determined best practices for storage.
- Conducted microorganism testing to assess product safety and quality assurance measures.
- Monitored manufacturing processes to ensure compliance with regulatory guidelines.
- Evaluated various raw materials for their functional properties in order to optimize performance in finished products.
- Assisted with the development of new ingredients and products from concept through commercialization.
- Provided technical support on product labeling, nutrition facts panel requirements, ingredient statements, allergen declarations.
- Collaborated with marketing team members on consumer insights projects related to new product development initiatives.
- Managed internal databases containing information about existing and potential ingredients used in products.
- Tested new ingredients for compatibility with other components within a formulation system before use in a final product.
- Developed test protocols for evaluating shelf life stability of finished products under different conditions of temperature, humidity, light exposure.
- Maintained adherence to labeling and packaging requirements.
- Maintained accurate records for trials being performed.
- Assisted with development and implementation of new quality monitoring protocols.
- Conducted quality control procedures from raw material stage to finished product.
- Prepared trial samples of products for microbiological shelf-life testing and organoleptic assessment.
- Solved process compliance issues with operations teams.
- Examined microbiological, physical, and chemical properties of food and ingredients to determine nutritional value.
- Coordinated research and development plan to generate creative food products for various markets.
- Analyzed raw materials and manufacturing costs to set product pricing for profitability.
- Presented new and improved flavors and enhancements to existing client product lines.
- Created innovative additions to client product lines.
- Collaborated with marketing team to create strategic direction with new products for future pipeline.
- Aided in client cost reduction by implementing new product improvements.
Food Technologist
Glanbia Performance Nutrition
Downers Grove, Illinois
10.2015 - 11.2017
- Developed and tested new food products to meet customer needs.
- Conducted shelf-life studies on various food products to ensure safety and quality standards were met.
- Analyzed the nutritional content of food items to determine their health benefits.
- Performed sensory evaluations of products to assess taste, texture, color, aroma, and other attributes.
- Created production processes for new products that maximized efficiency while maintaining product quality.
- Monitored raw materials during processing to ensure they met company specifications and regulatory requirements.
- Managed laboratory operations including equipment maintenance, calibrations, and testing protocols.
- Identified potential sources of contamination in food manufacturing environments and implemented corrective measures as needed.
- Developed cost-effective solutions for improving existing food production methods.
- Documented all experiments conducted in a laboratory notebook according to established guidelines.
- Investigated consumer complaints regarding product quality or safety issues and reported findings to management.
- Evaluated packaging materials for suitability with respect to product protection and preservation.
- Collaborated with suppliers on ingredient sourcing decisions based on cost, availability, and quality considerations.
- Researched emerging trends in food technology and evaluated their potential applications in the industry.
- Provided technical support for sales teams by responding promptly to inquiries from customers.
- Participated in meetings with regulatory agencies concerning proposed changes in laws governing the manufacture of foods.
- Trained personnel on proper use of laboratory equipment as well as techniques used when conducting tests or experiments.
- Maintained detailed records of all analyses performed within the lab environment including results obtained during tests or experiments.
- Maintained adherence to labeling and packaging requirements.
- Prepared trial samples of products for microbiological shelf-life testing and organoleptic assessment.
- Examined microbiological, physical, and chemical properties of food and ingredients to determine nutritional value.
- Solved process compliance issues with operations teams.
- Maintained accurate records for trials being performed.
- Assisted with development and implementation of new quality monitoring protocols.
- Coordinated research and development plan to generate creative food products for various markets.
- Updated customer product and internal manufacturing specifications on internet-based systems.
- Analyzed raw materials and manufacturing costs to set product pricing for profitability.
- Collaborated with marketing team to create strategic direction with new products for future pipeline.
- Created innovative additions to client product lines.
- Aided in client cost reduction by implementing new product improvements.
- Conducted quality control procedures from raw material stage to finished product.
- Presented new and improved flavors and enhancements to existing client product lines.
Education
Master of Science - Biochemistry
University of St Joseph
West Hartford, CT07-2025
Master of Science - Biology
University of Nebraska At Kearney
Kearney, NE01-2025
Bachelor of Science - Biochemistry
Loyola University of Chicago
Chicago, IL05-2014
Skills
- Prototyping
- Innovation management
- Cross-functional teamwork
- Design thinking
- Data analysis
- Administration and reporting
- Business administration
- Team leadership
- Complex Problem-solving
- Customer service
- Continuous improvement
- Staff training
- Reporting and documenting
- Sales strategy
- Schedule management
- Organizational skills
- Performance evaluations
- Work Planning and Prioritization
- Professionalism
- Task delegation
- Project management
- Resource allocation
- Attention to detail
- Plan projects
- Problem resolution
- Team development
- Negotiation and conflict resolution
- Profit and loss management
- Performance tracking and evaluation
- Process optimization
- Commercialization Delivery
Timeline
Senior Food Scientist
Watershed Foods
11.2017 - 12.2023
Food Technologist
Glanbia Performance Nutrition
10.2015 - 11.2017
Research and Development Manager
Watershed Foods
12.2012 - Current
Master of Science - Biochemistry
University of St Joseph
Master of Science - Biology
University of Nebraska At Kearney
Bachelor of Science - Biochemistry
Loyola University of Chicago