The Research & Development (R&D) Manager is responsible for leading the development, innovation, and continuous improvement of the company's food products. This position oversees the entire product development lifecycle from concept through commercialization while ensuring products meet customer expectations, regulatory requirements, food safety standards, quality specifications, and profitability goals. Working collaboratively with Sales, Marketing, Operations, Quality Assurance, Procurement, and Production, the R&D Manager ensures that products are innovative, consumer-focused, and capable of consistent large-scale manufacturing while meeting all regulatory and food safety requirements.
Job Responsibilities
- Lead the development of new food products from concept through commercialization;
- Develop innovative formulations that meet customer specifications, market trends, nutritional objectives, and manufacturing capabilities;
- Conduct product trials, pilot runs, and plant validations to ensure successful production implementation;
- Improve existing products by enhancing quality, functionality, shelf life, cost efficiency, and manufacturability;
- Research emerging ingredients, technologies, consumer trends, and competitive products;
- Partner with customers on customized product development projects;
- Manage multiple product development projects while meeting timelines and budgets;
- Coordinate plant trials and first production runs with Operations and Production teams;
- Develop manufacturing procedures, formulations, process specifications, and product documentation;
- Ensure seamless technology transfer from the laboratory to full-scale production;
- Monitor commercialized products to ensure ongoing product consistency;
- Ensure all products comply with FDA, USDA, FSMA, labeling regulations, customer requirements, and applicable state and federal regulations;
- Partner with Regulatory and Quality teams to develop ingredient statements, nutrition facts, allergen declarations, and product claims;
- Support SQF, HACCP, GMP, and food safety initiatives throughout product development;
- Maintain accurate product specifications, formulas, and technical documentation;
- Develop project timelines and communicate progress to leadership;
- Manage project budgets, ingredient testing, and external laboratory activities;
- Identify risks and develop solutions to keep projects on schedule;
- Participate in customer meetings, product presentations, and technical discussions;
- Provide technical expertise during product launches and customer audits;
- Support Sales during product demonstrations and business development activities;
- Perform other required tasks as assigned.
Job Requirements
- Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Food Engineering, Chemistry, Biology, or a related scientific field required;
- Minimum of 3-5 years of food manufacturing experience with leadership experience required;
- Minimum 7 10 years of progressive experience in food product development within a food manufacturing environment;
- Experience commercializing food products from concept through production;
- Experience working with bakery, snack foods, frozen foods, or prepared foods is preferred;
- Strong understanding of food chemistry, ingredient functionality, and product formulation;
- Knowledge of FDA, USDA, FSMA, SQF, HACCP, GMP, allergen control, and food labeling regulations;
- Strong project management and organizational skills;
- Excellent analytical and problem-solving abilities;
- Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously;
- Strong communication and presentation skills;
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite;
- Ability to interpret technical documents, formulations, and processing parameters;
- Experience with sensory evaluation, shelf-life testing, and statistical analysis is preferred;
- Ability to work in laboratory, office, and production environments;
- Ability to stand and walk on production floors for extended periods;
- Ability to lift up to 25 pounds occasionally;
- Ability to wear required personal protective equipment (PPE) in manufacturing areas;
- Frequent exposure to varying temperatures, including refrigerated and production environments.