R&D Manager

Role Overview

A growing food manufacturing organization in the frozen and ambient convenience category is seeking an experienced R&D Manager to support an ambitious innovation and growth agenda. This position plays a critical role in developing, scaling, and commercializing food products within a fast-paced, lean manufacturing environment.

The R&D Manager will serve as a hands-on technical and creative leader, guiding products from early concept through full-scale production. This role requires a strong foundation in food science combined with genuine culinary curiosity and practical manufacturing experience. The ideal candidate is equally comfortable developing concepts at the bench, running plant trials, evaluating finished products, and collaborating cross-functionally to bring commercially viable solutions to market.

This is not a purely administrative or desk-based role. Success in this position depends on a passion for food, an understanding of how consumers experience products, and a willingness to work directly with formulations, processes, and production teams. The role blends technical rigor with a "food-first" mindset-prioritizing taste, texture, quality, and reliability while meeting cost, scalability, and business objectives.

The R&D Manager reports to senior R&D and business leadership and contributes meaningfully to innovation strategy, customer satisfaction, and operational excellence.

Key Responsibilities

Product Innovation & Development

• Lead development of new and enhanced food products from concept through commercialization
• Formulate, prototype, and refine products that balance sensory quality, cost targets, and manufacturing feasibility
• Develop benchtop and pilot-scale samples, including ingredient scaling, batching, and preparation
• Drive reformulation initiatives for cost savings, ingredient changes, quality enhancement, or process simplification
• Evaluate emerging ingredients, technologies, and processing methods to improve functionality and performance

Food Quality, Creativity & Sensory Evaluation

• Bring strong sensory awareness and culinary curiosity to product development
• Evaluate products based on taste, texture, aroma, appearance, and overall eating experience
• Design and participate in sensory evaluations and internal product assessments
• Develop preparation instructions and product usage guidance to ensure consistent consumer experience
• Ensure products are not only technically sound but also differentiated and commercially appealing

Commercialization & Manufacturing Support

• Lead and support scale-up activities from bench to pilot to full production
• Actively participate in plant trials and first production runs, providing hands-on troubleshooting and evaluation
• Collaborate closely with operations to ensure products are scalable, efficient, and repeatable
• Identify risks early and solve formulation, processing, or performance challenges during scale-up
• Support continuous improvement initiatives post-launch

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Work closely with operations, quality, regulatory, procurement, maintenance, sales, and business teams
• Translate customer and commercial requirements into actionable technical solutions
• Partner with suppliers to source new ingredients and identify alternatives when needed
• Serve as a practical bridge between innovation goals and manufacturing realities

Testing, Data Analysis & Documentation

• Conduct shelf-life, quality, and performance testing
• Analyze trial and production data to make informed, evidence-based recommendations
• Maintain accurate documentation for formulations, trials, specifications, and project summaries
• Prepare technical reports and development documentation
• Support lab organization, cleanliness, and readiness for ongoing development work

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Food Science or a related field required
• 5-7 years of experience in food product development, R&D, or commercialization
• Background in bakery, dough, batter-based, or similar categories strongly preferred
• Proven experience supporting manufacturing environments and plant trials
• Strong understanding of ingredients, formulation, processing, and food functionality
• Ability to balance creativity with speed, discipline, and business practicality
• Excellent problem-solving, organizational, and communication skills
• Proficiency with standard office software; experience with formulation management systems is a plus

Ideal Candidate Profile

The successful candidate is a true food enthusiast-someone energized by flavor, texture, and product experience. They are technically strong but not confined to a laboratory mindset, comfortable working hands-on with products and processes, and motivated by seeing ideas come to life in production. This individual thrives in lean, high-visibility environments, collaborates naturally across teams, and brings a positive, solution-oriented approach to challenges.