Research & Development Manager

Overview

A global food ingredients organization is seeking an experienced Research & Development Manager to lead strategic innovation initiatives within a specialized ingredients portfolio. This role is responsible for driving product development, technical innovation, and business growth across multiple international markets. The successful candidate will serve as a key technical leader, partnering with cross-functional teams to develop innovative solutions, accelerate commercialization efforts, and strengthen the organization's competitive position within the food ingredients industry.

The Manager, Product Innovation will work closely with senior leadership, research and development teams, commercial stakeholders, operations, and regional business units to execute innovation strategies that align with company objectives. This individual will play a critical role in translating market trends, customer needs, and technical capabilities into new products and solutions that support long-term growth.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and execute strategic product innovation initiatives designed to support business expansion and portfolio growth across global markets.
• Drive the development and commercialization of new ingredient technologies, formulations, and applications within specialized food ingredient categories.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams including R&D, marketing, sales, operations, procurement, quality, and technical services to ensure successful project execution.
• Partner with regional and global leadership teams to align innovation efforts with organizational priorities and market opportunities.
• Develop project plans, establish timelines, allocate resources, and manage multiple innovation programs simultaneously.
• Serve as a technical subject matter expert, providing guidance on product formulation, ingredient functionality, processing technologies, and application development.
• Stay informed on emerging consumer trends, ingredient innovations, regulatory developments, and competitive activities to identify areas for future growth.
• Collect, analyze, and share technical knowledge across the organization to strengthen innovation capabilities and support continuous improvement.
• Build and maintain relationships with internal stakeholders, customers, suppliers, and external partners to advance innovation objectives.
• Document research findings, project outcomes, lessons learned, and best practices to promote knowledge sharing and organizational learning.
• Facilitate collaboration between global teams to ensure consistent execution of innovation strategies and technical standards.
• Support business development activities by identifying new opportunities, evaluating market potential, and contributing technical expertise during customer engagements.
• Present project updates, recommendations, and strategic insights to executive leadership and key stakeholders.
• Travel as needed to support customer engagements, manufacturing facilities, innovation centers, and industry events.

Qualifications

• Master's degree or Ph.D. in Food Science, Food Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, or a related scientific discipline preferred.
• Minimum of 10 years of progressive experience in food product development, ingredient innovation, formulation, applications research, or technical leadership roles.
• Previous experience leading complex innovation projects and cross-functional teams in a matrix organization.
• Strong expertise in food ingredient systems, formulation science, product functionality, ingredient interactions, and processing technologies.
• Demonstrated ability to translate technical concepts into commercially viable products and business opportunities.
• Experience working with global teams and supporting multiple geographic markets is highly preferred.
• Strong project management, organizational, and strategic planning capabilities.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills with the ability to influence stakeholders at all levels of the organization.
• Proven ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, innovation-driven environment.
• Fluency in English required; additional language capabilities are considered an asset.
• Willingness to travel domestically and internationally as business needs require.

Preferred Experience

• Extensive experience within food ingredients, confectionery, specialty fats, coatings, fillings, bakery, dairy, beverage, or related product categories.
• Strong understanding of formulation development, product applications, ingredient functionality, and commercial manufacturing processes.
• Experience supporting international markets and collaborating with multicultural teams.
• Knowledge of global food industry trends, sustainability initiatives, and emerging consumer preferences.
• Background in technical leadership, innovation management, and business growth initiatives.

Why Consider This Opportunity

This position offers the opportunity to make a significant impact within a global organization that is heavily invested in innovation, technical excellence, and long-term growth. The successful candidate will have the ability to lead high-visibility projects, influence product strategy, collaborate with international teams, and shape the future direction of key product categories. In addition to competitive compensation and benefits, the organization provides a collaborative environment that supports professional development, career advancement, and continuous learning.

The company values innovation, diversity of thought, teamwork, and sustainable business practices. Employees are encouraged to contribute new ideas, challenge conventional thinking, and work collaboratively to create solutions that deliver value for customers, consumers, and the broader food industry. This is an excellent opportunity for a seasoned innovation leader seeking a strategic role with global visibility and meaningful impact on product development and business growth.