R&D Manager

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in Wisconsin.

📋 Description

• Direct, mentor, and cultivate a high-performing team of Food Scientists and R&D Technicians.

• Define team priorities, allocate resources effectively, and enhance team capabilities.

• Spearhead technical development and ongoing improvement from concept to commercialization readiness.

• Manage formulation, ingredient functionality, process development, packaging technical requirements, product specifications, and technical documentation.

• Collaborate with Commercialization & External Manufacturing to ensure technical readiness and facilitate knowledge transfer.

• Enhance R&D processes, standards, governance, documentation, and knowledge-management systems.

• Partner with Manufacturing, Engineering, Marketing, Innovation, FSQA, Procurement, Commercialization, and Project Management teams.

• Convert business and consumer needs into scalable technical solutions.

• Identify technical and commercialization risks while developing mitigation strategies.

• Drive initiatives that enhance product quality, ingredient performance, manufacturability, cost efficiency, consistency, and consumer experience.

• Oversee technical investigations into formulation, ingredients, processing, and product performance.

• Monitor product performance throughout its lifecycle.

• Stay updated on emerging ingredients, technologies, consumer trends, and industry best practices.

• Evaluate and enhance R&D performance, project execution, organizational capability, and cross-functional collaboration.

• Travel up to 50% to manufacturing facilities, external manufacturing partners, suppliers, and industry events.

⛳️ Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Product Development, Engineering, or a related discipline.

• Over 7 years of experience in food product development, research & development, commercialization support, or technical operations within the food manufacturing industry.

• More than 3 years of experience in people leadership, focusing on coaching, developing, and building high-performing technical teams.

• Proven track record in leading cross-functional product development initiatives from concept through to technical readiness for commercialization.

• Experience in developing products for commercial food manufacturing.

• Comprehensive understanding of formulation, ingredient functionality, process development, and manufacturing operations.

• In-depth knowledge of food science, ingredient functionality, formulation, processing, and manufacturing principles.

• Capability to translate consumer and business needs into commercially viable technical solutions.

• Experience in balancing product quality, cost, manufacturability, and brand expectations.

• Understanding of product lifecycle management, continuous improvement, and technical problem-solving.

• Experience in developing technical documentation, specifications, manufacturing instructions, and validation protocols.

• Familiarity with food safety, quality systems, regulatory requirements, and industry best practices.

• Ability to build collaborative relationships and influence cross-functional teams without direct authority.

• Skill in identifying risks, evaluating options, and providing practical recommendations.

• Strong business acumen.

• Exceptional project leadership, prioritization, and organizational skills.

• Proficient in communicating complex technical concepts as clear business recommendations.

• Passionate about developing people and fostering an inclusive, accountable, high-performing team culture.

• Growth mindset with a commitment to continuous improvement, learning, and organizational development.

• Demonstrated ownership, accountability, and sound decision-making in a fast-paced environment.

• Willingness to travel up to 50%.

• Preference for local candidates, though not mandatory.

🏝️ Benefits

• Discretionary annual company performance bonus of 7-10%.

• Medical benefits.

• Dental benefits.

• Vision benefits.

• Retirement benefits.

• Paid time off.

• Wellness-focused benefits.