Jonathan Firebaugh
About Jonathan Firebaugh
Jonathan Firebaugh is the R&D and Quality Director for LATAM at General Mills, based in Sao Paulo, Brazil.
Current Role at General Mills
Jonathan Firebaugh is the R&D and Quality Director for LATAM at General Mills, located in Sao Paulo, Brazil. In this role, he leads the development of innovation pipelines for both global and local brands, including Kitano spices and Yoki meals and snacks. He oversees the daily functioning of pilot plants and shared services team members at the General Mills Latin America Technical Center. Jonathan reports directly to the VP R&D Global Snacks and serves as the R&D and Quality lead for all businesses in LATAM.
Previous Roles at General Mills
Jonathan Firebaugh has held several key positions at General Mills. He currently serves as the Sr R&D Manager and Site Leader in Shanghai, China. From 2015 to 2017, he was the R&D Manager in China. He also worked as R&D Manager for Baking in Minneapolis, Minnesota, from 2014 to 2015. His earlier roles include Innovation Entrepreneur for Convenience and Foodservice from 2011 to 2014 and Scientist and Sr. Scientist for Baking & International Meals/Snacks from 2006 to 2011, also in Minneapolis, MN.
Early Career Experience
Before his tenure at General Mills, Jonathan Firebaugh worked at Pfizer as a Validation Specialist in Sanford, North Carolina, from 2004 to 2006. Additionally, he served as a Research Assistant at the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, Northern Ireland Government in Belfast, Northern Ireland, for five months in 2001.
Educational Background
Jonathan Firebaugh holds a Master of Science (MS) in Food Science - Biotechnology from North Carolina State University, where he studied from 2002 to 2004. He also achieved a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Food Science from the same university, completing his studies from 1997 to 2001.
Leadership and Team Management
In his current role, Jonathan Firebaugh monitors the efforts of over 55 direct and indirect reports to ensure efficiency and productivity. He maintains accountability for a multi-million dollar budget that includes compensation and capital investment. Jonathan serves on the LATAM Senior Leadership Team at General Mills and promotes the use of new technologies and industry-leading trends in product development activities.