KingArthurFlour
DirectorofInnovation
RecruitmentProfile
www.kingarthurflour.com
THEFORESTGROUP
6181CLARKMOUNTAINROAD
LOTUS,CA95651
530.344.0100
www.theforestgroup.com
Tryitonce.Trustitalways.
AsAmerica’soldestflourcompanyandpremierbakingresourceKingArthurFlourisacollectionof
passionatebakerscommittedtospreadingthejoyofbakingbybringingpeopletogetherand
buildingstrongercommunities.Theirsuccessstartswithagenuinepassionforbakingandadesire
tosharetheirexpertbakingknowledgeandofferthehighestqualityproducts.It’swhytheybelieve
thatonceyoutrytheirflour,you’llalwaystrustit.
Foundedin1790inBoston,KingArthurFlourhasevolvedfromafamilyownedoperationfocused
ondistributioninNewEnglandtoanationallyrecognizedbrandandbusinessinnovator.
CommitmenttoSocial&EnvironmentalResponsibility
AsafoundingBCorpandVermontBeneficialCorporation,KingArthurFlourdemonstratesthat
stewardshipisasolidfoundationforasuccessfulcompany.Theymeasuretheirprogresswitha
triplebottomline–people,planet,profit.
AsacertifiedBCorp,KingArthurFlouradherestostrictstandardsofsocialandenvironmental
performance,accountability,andtransparency.WiththeirBenefitCorporationstatus,theBoardof
Directorsmakesdecisionsbasedonanumberofspecifics.Abenefitcorporationisalegal
designationthatallowsasociallyandenvironmentallycommittedcompanytowriteitsbeneficial
valuesintoitscharterandarticlesofincorporation,wheretheybecomelegallybinding.KingArthur
FlourisproudtobeoneofthefirstcompaniesinVermonttoachievesuchdistinction.
KingArthurFlourbelievesbakedgoodsanddoinggoodgohandinhand,andthey’recommittedto
endinghungerinsecurity–intheirbackyardsandthroughouttheU.S.–byconcentratingon
providingresources,education,andinspiration.ThroughtheirBakeforGoodprograms,they
introducewaysforchildrenandadultstogivebackthroughbaking.
BakeforGood:Kids
KingArthurFlourhasbeenoffering4-7thgradersfreelessonsinhowtobakebreadsince1992.
Over250,000studentsin46stateshavebeenintroducedtobreadmakingwithfun,real-world
applicationsofmath,science,andreadingskills.Usingtheirnewbakingknow-how,theygetallthe
skillsandsuppliestheyneedtobaketwoloavesofbreadathome,onetosharewiththeirfamily
andanothertogivetoalocalhunger-relieforganization.Ifyousearch#bakeforgoodor
#learnbakeshareonsocialmedia,you’llseethousandsofchildrenbeamingwithpride–showing
whatthey’veaccomplishedallwhilegivingback.
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Director of Innovation
BakeTruck
TheKingArthurFlourBakeTruckhasbeentravelingacrosstheU.S.since2014spreadingthejoyof
bakingbyprovidingfreetreatsandpartneringwithlocalhunger-relieforganizationstocollect
donations;alldonationsarematchedbyKingArthurFlour.
BakingHistory
KingArthurFlourwasfoundedinBostonin1790andthenmovedtoVermontin1984.KingArthur
Flourhasalwaysbeencommittedtoprovidingthehighestqualityproductavailabletoensure
bakingsuccessforallbakers.
Formorethan200years,thecompanywasnamedafteritsowners,primarilySands,Taylor&
Wood--thoughcustomersoftenreferredtoitasKingArthurFlour.
TheKingArthurFlournamecametolifein1896whenGeorgeWoodwasresponsiblefor
advertisingandpart-ownerofSands,Taylor&WoodCo.ThatyearheattendedaBostonmusical
comedybasedonKingArthurandtheKnightsoftheRoundTable,andleftwiththethoughtthatall
oftheattributesrelatedtotheKingArthurstory–loyalty,honesty,superiorstrength,and
dedicationtoahigherpurpose–fitperfectlywiththeattributesofthecompany'ssignatureflour:a
uniqueblendof100%hardwheat,withnoadditives.
Forgenerationstocome,mostpeoplereferredtothecompanybythenameofitsmostpopular
product–KingArthurFlour.In1999itbecameofficialwhenthelegalnamechangedtoTheKing
ArthurFlourCompany.
Overtheyears,KingArthurFlourhasexpandedtheirpresence.FromitsintroductionoftheBaker’s
Cataloguein1990anditsBaker’sStorein1992,tothecreationofitswebsitein1996,tothebrand
newcampus,‘Camelot’,in2012,onecancontinuallycountonKingArthurFlourtobean
inspirationalbakingresource.
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Director of Innovation
“CAMELOT”–NorwichCampus
TheoriginalCamelotwasbuiltin1995.In2010,havingoutgrowntheirexistingbuildingsand
lookingtothefuture,KingArthurFlourembarkedonthecreationoftheirnewcampus;inJuly2012
Camelotwasofficiallyopened.
Theflagshipcampusincludestheirartisanbakerywherevisitorscanseethebakersatwork,a
bakingschoolthatoffersclassesforadultsandchildrenofallskilllevels,thebaker’sstorewith
thousandsofingredients,tools,andpans,andawelcomingcafétorelaxandenjoyamouthwateringmenuofpastries,sandwiches,salads,andmore!
Culture
Asa100%employee-ownedcompanysince1996,theKingArthurFlourcultureisspecial.
Employeesaretheheartofthecompany,wherepeopleareauthenticandshowuptoworkthinking
likeowners.ThroughtheEmployeeStockOwnershipPlan,orESOP,thepeoplewhocometowork
eachdayownaveryrealstakeinthecompanyandstandtobenefit,orlose,baseduponthe
company’ssuccessorfailure.Bypromotingateammentality,employeesrecognizetheir
contributionsprovideadirectimpactonthecompany’soverallsuccess.It’sarealincentivetodo
theirbestworkeveryday–toensurethattheproductsandservicearealwaysthebest,andthe
customersarehappy.
Hardworkandperformancearevaluedandrewarded,butemployeeownershipalsocomeswith
rightsandresponsibilities.Employeeownershavetherighttobeinformedaboutthemanagement,
strategy,andfinancialhealthofthecompany,toquestionpracticestheyfeelmaynotbeinthe
company’sbestinterest,toworkinapositiveenvironment,andtoshareinthecompany’sfinancial
success.Theyalsohavetheresponsibilitytounderstandeveryone’sownrolesinachievingthe
company’sgoals,tosupportmanagementdecisionsandinitiatives,tocreateapositivework
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Director of Innovation
environment,tofindsolutionsandshareideasforimprovement,andtobegoodstewardsofthe
company’sresources.
TheatmosphereatKingArthurFlourisopenandsafewheretransparencyandcommunicationare
valued.Theleadershipteamishighlyvisibleandapproachable,andwiththeiropen-doorpolicyall
employeesaregiventhechancetohavetheirvoiceheard.
GivingbacktothelocalcommunityisalargepartofKingArthurFlour’sculture,too.Each
employee,whetherpart-orfull-time,isgiven40hoursayearinpaidvolunteertime.
Products&BakingResources
KingArthur’sflouristheprofessional’schoiceandthehomebaker’strustedpartner,prizedforits
consistentqualityandthetightestspecificationsintheindustry.Thisallowsbakerstoknowand
expectthatKingArthurflourwillperformflawlesslyduringeverybakeandleadtoonesuccess
afteranotherinthekitchen.
TheredandwhitebagoftheirUnbleachedAll-PurposeFlouristhemostrecognizableproductthey
sell.All-PurposeispartoftheirSignatureLinethatincludesBread,WholeWheat,WhiteWhole
Wheat,Self-Rising,andSproutedWheatFlours.They’reavailableingrocerystoresnationwideand
online,alongwithorganicflours,gluten-freefloursandmixes,specialtyflourslikeAlmondand
Coconut,andtheirbrandnewEssentialGoodnessbakingmixline.EssentialGoodnessoffersmixes
freeofartificialcolors,preservatives,orflavors.Inaddition,foreverymixpurchasedtheydonate
thecostforFeedingAmericatosupplyonemealthroughitsnetworkoflocalfoodbanks.
Onlineatwww.kingarthurflour.comtheyofferover3,500testedandtrustedbakingtools,
ingredients,andfreerecipes.Forprofessionalbakeries,theysellnearly50differentfloursinbulk.
Education
InspiringandeducatingprofessionalandhomebakersisalargecomponentofKingArthurFlour.
Theyprovidebakingeducationandtips–online,throughtheirbakingschools,Baker’sHotline,and
awardwinningcookbooks.
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Online–TheirFlourishblogisoneofthemosthighlytraffickedpartsoftheirwebsite.New
andlongstandingfansfindapproachable,foolproofrecipesthatrangefromtraditionalto
inventive.Navigatingtootherpartsoftheirwebsite,visitorscanfindbakingguides,tip
sheets,andvideosonbakingtechniques.They’realsoapartnerwithCraftsy.com,where
onlineclassesaretaughtbytheirprofessionalbakersandtrustedpartners.
BakingSchools–KingArthurFlourhastwobakingschools–oneattheircampusin
Norwich,VermontandabrandnewoneatTheUniversityofWashington’sBreadLab.Both
offerhands-oninstructionsforbakers–nomattertheirexperienceorskilllevel.
Baker’sHotline–Everybaker,whethertheyonlybakeonceayeararoundtheholidaysor
severaltimesaweek,hashadsomebakingchallengesthathasleftthemasking,“Howdid
thathappen?”Wellthat’swhereKingArthurFlour’sfreeBaker’sHotlinecomesin.
Availablesevendaysaweek,customerscancall,chat,ore-mailtocommunicatewiththeir
professionalbakerswhowillguidethemthroughanybakingchallenge.
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Director of Innovation
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Cookbooks–KingArthurFlourhaspublishedfouraward-winningcookbooks,including
Bakers’Companion,whichwasnamedInternationalAssociationCulinaryProfessional’s
cookbookoftheyearandaddedtotheJamesBeardFoundation’slistof20essential
cookbooks.AdditionaltitlesincludetheCookieCompanionCookbook,200thAnniversary
Cookbook,andWholeGrainBaking.
SocialResponsibility
Today,brandsarechosenbyinformedconsumers,notonlyforwhattheirproductprovidesbutalso
forhowtheiroperationsimpacttheearth.KingArthurFlourstrivestoimproveitsenvironmental
footprint.EveryyearKingArthurFlourauditstheimpacttheirbusinessdecisionshaveonthe
environment.Attheirheadquarterstheyaredevotedtoreducingenergyconsumption,cutting
downcarbonemissions,andprovidingavibrantrecyclingandcompostprogramforemployeesand
customers.Sixtypercentoftheirenergyisrenewableandemployeesareincentivizedtomake
greencommutestoandfromwork.
BecomingafoundingBCorpisanotherwaythatKingArthurFlourhasmadeacommitmentto
responsiblebusinesspractices.Therearemorethan1,700companiesworldwidethatcanproudly
saytheyareBCorpCertified.AsaBCorp,KingArthurFlourCompanyadherestostrictstandardsof
socialandenvironmentalperformance,accountability,andtransparency.TheirBCorpstatusalso
allowstheBoardofDirectorstomakedecisionsbaseduponmorethanjustthesinglebottomline.
Awards&Recognition
KingArthurFlour’sworkplaceandemployee-ownedplanhasbeenwidelyrecognizedasamongthe
bestbybothlocalandnationalprograms,includingBLab’sBestfortheWorldforWorkers,Best
PlacestoWorkinVermont,andNationalESOPoftheYear.
Norwich,Vermont
Morethan250yearsofhistoryarepreservedinthetownofNorwich.In1763,earlyEuropean
settlersreachedtheareaandbeganerectingthefirstlogbuildingsintown.TodayNorwich,located
inWindsorCounty,hasapopulationofabout3,500residents.Itislocatedalongthewesternbank
oftheConnecticutRiveroppositeHanover,NewHampshire.
Thetowncommercialcenterfeaturesatraditional,andactivelyused,generalstorecalledDanand
Whit’s.Adjacenttothegeneralstoreistherestored,historicNorwichInn,originallyestablishedin
1797,hometoa“local’sfavorite”restaurantandbrewpub.Roundingoutthetowncenterarethe
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Director of Innovation
hands-onMontshireMuseumofScienceandOutdoorCenter,andtheflagshipcampusofKing
ArthurFlour.
WalkingalongMainStreetcanfeelabitlikeastrollbackintimewithitsmanyhistorichomes,
commercialenterprisesandpublicbuildings.Norwich’sHistoricPreservationSocietyseeksto
preservethetown’suniquesenseofplaceandcharacterincludingtheearlysettlementpatterns,
scenicresourcesanduniqueruralcharacter.Bydoingso,theyhavemanagedtomaintainavibrant
towncenterandstrongpropertyvalues.Aseasonaliceskatingareainthecenteroftownaddsto
thepicturesquelandscapeofthisclassicNewEnglandhamleteachwinter.Forlocalfoodlovers,the
NorwichFarmers’Market,notedasthebestintheUpperValley,popsupeverySaturday,May
throughOctoberwithanendlessabundanceofproduceandavarietyofartisanalcheesesthat
delightthesenses.
Whetheryou’retrekkingtheoldestofthelongdistancehikingtrails,theAppalachian,ortakinga
cheesetrailroadtrip,thereisnoshortageofadventureandculinarydelightsinVermont.Asthe
VermontTourismwebsitelikestopointout,“Vermontisneveroutofseason.”Thereisalwaysan
adventuretobehadinVermontnomatterwhattimeofyear.Thelandscapeprovidesanendless
playgroundofmountains,trails,lakesandwaterwaysforjustabouteveryoutdooractivity.
Opportunity
Toachievetheirvisiontoinspireandsharethejoyofbaking,bringingpeopletogetherandbuilding
strongercommunities,KingArthurFlourislookingforadynamicindividualtoleadthe
development,executionandongoingmanagementofthecompany’sinnovationpipeline,exploring
andprioritizingnewopportunitiesthatblendwiththeir225+yearoldheritage.She/hewill
imaginenewpossibilitiesattheintersectionofKingArthurFlourandbaking.Thisfast-paced
positionisresponsibleforlaunchingmission-basedstrategicinitiativestoincreaserevenuesand
marketshare,drivingcriticalgrowthforthecompany.Thishighlycollaborativerolewillbe
responsibleforideageneration,conceptualization,analysisandtestingofnewproductsand
concepts.Theidealcandidatethrivesonchallengeandthinksconceptually,andisalsoableto
quicklysizeopportunitiesandbringconceptstoreality.Thisrolewillworkconcurrentlyona
multitudeofprojects,bothbigandsmall.TheDirectorisavisionaryleaderwho'connectsthedots'
aroundKingArthurFlour’sbusinessandconsumerinsights,andarticulatesconceptsandanalytical
solutionsinaclearandcompellingway.
Thisindividualmustrepresent“instantcredibility”andbeaprovenleaderwithstrongdiplomacy
skills.Thiscredibilitywillbeapparentinhis/heroutwardcommunication,generalbusiness
expertise,andintheabilitytotakethegoalsoftheorganizationseriouslyandthemselveslessso.
ThispersonmustbelieveintheethosofKingArthurFlourandhavethestrengthofcharacterto
standfirmlyforthecompany’svision.
Thisisanincredibleopportunityforacreative,well-organized,team-orientedinnovatorwhois
energizedbycreativity,newideas,andchallenges.KingArthurFlourisatrulyunique,oneofakind
placetoworkforanintelligentanddrivenindividualwhohastheabilitytoleadthroughthepower
ofwell-articulatedideasratherthanthroughatraditionalorganizationalstructure.
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Director of Innovation
ESSENTIALJOBFUNCTIONS
• Createinnovationframework/processanddefineguardrailsonhowinnovationistobe
managed,fromresearchtoinsightstoprojectprioritization.
• Leveragebrandpositioning,keyconsumerinsightsandR&Ddiscoverytodevelopan
innovationroadmapfordesignatedopportunityareasthatalignwithKingArthurFlour’s
businessstrategy.
• Developastrongandmeasurablepipeline:overseeinnovationprojectsthroughtheinternal
gateprocess,monitoringandadjustingasneededtoreadyinnovationprojectsfor
commercialization.
• Buildinternalstakeholderknowledgeandunderstandingofconsumerinsightsandemerging
trendsaroundinnovationopportunityareas;understandwhyconsumersactandfeeltheway
theydoandcantransformfindingsintorecommendationsthatwilldriveandsupportproduct
development.
• Defineandconduct(orpartnerwithotherstoconduct)appropriateresearchactivities,and
evaluatefindings.
• Manage,directandalignResearchandDevelopmentTeamtoensurearobustflowintothe
innovationpipeline.
o Ensurefollow-throughondevelopmentofnewproductsaswellasreformulationof
existingproducts.
o Fosterprocessimprovements,ensuringadequateresourcesareprovided.
o DevelopandmanageR&Dbudget.
• Asavisiblechampionforinnovationacrosstheorganization,provideongoingleadershipto
cross-functionalteamsacrossarangeofprojectswithmultiplecomponents;thesemayinclude
researchandinsights,channelstrategy,valuationandbusinesscasedevelopment-in
collaborationwithMarketing,Creative,Operations,Sales,andFinance.
o Plan/facilitatedynamicworksessionstoinspireinnovativeideas,agileiteration,and
effectivedecision-making.
o Identifyandexperimentwithnewtechniquesandmodelsforresearch,productdesign,
testing,anddistributiontobuildinnovationbestpracticesandexpandthecompany’s
knowledge.
o Transitionstrongconceptualideasintotestablebusinesspropositions:opportunitysizing,
customer&partnerbenefits,brandfit,andoperationalfeasibility.
• Managedirectreportviacoaching,mentoring,trainingandongoingfeedbacktodrive
individualresultsanddevelopleadershipskillsandinfluence,challengeandinspireteam
memberstoachievebusinessresults.
EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE
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8+yearsinfoodindustryinnovation,productdevelopment/design,businessdevelopment
and/orstrategyrole(s)
Previousexperienceinorstrongpassionforthebakingspace
BArequired(MBAstronglypreferred)
Demonstratedexperiencesleadingcross-functionalteams
Highlyanalytical,motivated,decisivethoughtleaderwithexcellentexecutionskills
Strategicmindwithanabilitytothinkbroadly,refinequestion,andinfluencemultiple
decisionmakers
Currentconsumerpackagedgoodsexperiencetobothidentifyandinitiateappropriate
partnershipalliances
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Director of Innovation
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Trackrecordoftakingcalculatedrisksforthelong-termbenefitoftheorganizationandis
therebyconsideredaprogressivethought-leader
Strongfoundationalunderstandingofsupplychainandoperationaleffectiveness
Demonstratedexperienceworkingcloselywithleadership
Proventrackrecordofsuccessfulinnovations
REQUIREDKNOWLEDGE,SKILLS
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Creativeandstrategicproblemsolverwithhighcuriosityquotient
Abilitytooperatefluidlybetweenstrategic/conceptualandtactical/executional
Abilitytoquicklyevaluatesolutionviability,couragetofailfastandlearnfrommistakes
Strongandvariedcommunicationapproachestoexplainandevangelizenewconcepts
Excellentcommunicationandpresentationskills;dynamic(persuasive)inpresentingideas
toteams
Comfortablesolvingproblemsthrougha‘hypothesis’drivenapproachusingacombination
oftop-downandbottom-upanalyses
Mustpossessrigorousanalyticaldisciplinedapproachaswellasdynamic,abstractproblem
solvingskills(gettotheanswerviaboth'inspiration'and'perspiration')
Stronginterpersonalskillsasteamleaderandteamplayerwithexperiencecross-functional
teammanagement
Musthavea'changeagent'attitude;constantlypushingKingArthurFlourtonew
opportunities,approaches,ideas,andperspectives
BriefoverviewofBenefits
Health
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Medicalcoverage
HealthSavings&
FlexibleSpending
Accounts
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Dentalcoverage
Visioncoverage
Lifeinsurance
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HolidayPay
Wellnessincentives
Onsitefitness
classes
Parentalleave
40hoursannually
paidvolunteertime
DiscountatKing
ArthurFlour’s
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Shortandlongterm
disabilitycoverage
AdditionalBenefits
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EmployeeStock
OwnershipPlan
(ESOP)
401(k)retirement
savingsplan
Profitsharing
Professional
development
Earnedtime
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Baker’sStore,café,
andschool
Matchingcharitable
contributions
Tuition
reimbursement
Greencommute
incentive
For additional information, please contact Adam Forest, Lu Setnicka, Mary Maliff, Deb Mason at:
[email protected] / [email protected]/ [email protected] / [email protected]
THE FOREST GROUP 6181 Clark Mountain Road Lotus, CA 95651
(530) 344-0100 ph (530) 344-0104 fax
All inquiries will be held in strict confidence.
The Forest Group works only with equal opportunity employers.
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Director of Innovation