Consumer Products R&D Lab Manager

Crest Foods Co.; Illinois; On-site; USD 65,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

Crest Foods Co. is seeking an R&D Lab Manager to provide technical leadership while actively participating in bench work.

This role manages the daily operations of the R&D laboratory, oversees personnel, documentation, equipment, and processes, and partners with Regulatory and Operations to ensure projects proceed efficiently. The ideal candidate will balance leadership responsibilities with hands-on lab activity, support development and commercialization, and contribute to a fast-paced,

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Food Technology, Chemistry, Culinology, or related discipline preferred.
• Equivalent combination of education and significant R&D lab experience may be considered.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical leadership and manage R&D lab workload.
• Lead laboratory staff development and mentoring.
• Oversee lab operations, sample development and documentation.
• Support scale-up, production, and cross-functional collaboration.
• Maintain finished product documentation and records.
• Troubleshoot formulations and production/process issues.

Skills

Leadership

Project management

Lab operations

Documentation

Education

Bachelor's degree in Food Science/Related field

Job description

$65K-$70k/Annual

The R&D Lab Manager is responsible for the technical leadership, day-to-day management, and effective operation of the R&D laboratory. This is a hands-on leadership position that combines technical problem-solving with management of laboratory workload, personnel, documentation, equipment, and processes.

The R&D Lab Manager works closely with the R&D Manager, R&D Lead, Project Managers, Regulatory, and Operations to ensure development projects, samples, testing, and technical activities are completed efficiently, accurately, and according to established priorities.

A significant portion of this position is expected to remain hands-on in the laboratory, actively participating in project work, troubleshooting, testing, and other bench activities.

Primary Responsibilities

• Technical Resource
• Laboratory Leadership & Workload Management
• Laboratory Staff Leadership & Development
• Lab Operations
• Sample Development & Sample-Out Process
• Finished Product Documentation & Records
• Testing & Shelf-Life Activities
• Ingredient & Supplier Technical Evaluation
• Scale-Up & Production Support
• Cross-Functional Collaboration

Education

• Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Food Technology, Chemistry, Culinology, or a related scientific/technical discipline preferred.
• Equivalent combination of education and significant R&D lab experience may be considered.

Experience

• Several years working in an R&D food laboratory environment.
• Experience assisting as projects move from development through commercialization.
• Experience troubleshooting formulations and production/process issues.
• Previous leadership, supervisory, mentoring, or technical-lead experience strongly preferred.
• Experience with technical documentation and laboratory recordkeeping.

Key Competencies

The successful candidate should demonstrate:

• Sound technical judgment and problem-solving ability
• Ability to balance leadership responsibilities with bench work
• Strong organization and documentation skills
• Clear and direct communication
• Attention to detail
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced development environment

We are an equal opportunity employer committed to an inclusive and diverse work place.