Innovation Lead - Food Product Development

Sugar Foods LLC; Commerce (CA); On-site; USD 100,000 - 115,000; Full time

Job summary

Sugar Foods LLC in Commerce, CA is seeking a Product Development Manager to lead product development within R&D, combining hands-on formulation with leadership to drive high-quality work.

Requires 8–10 years in food product development with leadership experience; BS in Food Science is required, MS preferred. This on-site role focuses on scale-up, process optimization, and cross‑functional collaboration.

Qualifications

• 8–10 years in food product development or R&D within a food manufacturing environment.
• Proven ability to lead or supervise product development projects from formulation through scale‑up and commercialization.
• Strong analytical, problem‑solving and troubleshooting skills.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical leadership and direction for product development activities across assigned projects; lead and supervise Levels 1–2, may support Level 3 as needed
• Guide development approaches and decision‑making to ensure sound technical judgment and execution discipline
• Coach and mentor product developers to strengthen capability, accountability and critical‑thinking skills; remain hands‑on as needed
• Ensure development decisions consider quality, cost, feasibility and long‑term business impact; support continuous improvement
• Collaborate cross‑functionally with Sales/Marketing, Operations, QA, Purchasing and Finance while leveraging external resources
• BS in Food Science or related field required, or equivalent experience; MS in Food Science desirable

Skills

Leadership

Mentoring

Analytical thinking

Education

BS in Food Science or related field

MS in Food Science desirable

Job description

Sugar Foods LLC in Commerce, CA is seeking a Product Development Manager to lead product development within R&D, combining hands-on formulation with leadership to drive high-quality work.

Requires 8–10 years in food product development with leadership experience; BS in Food Science is required, MS preferred. This on-site role focuses on scale-up, process optimization, and cross‑functional collaboration.