Manager, R&D

Corbion; Lenexa, Northern (KS, KY); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Corbion is seeking a proactive RD&A Manager to lead a team of bakery and food scientists. Based in Lenexa, KS, this role drives innovation and customer projects aligned with our bakery business strategy.

You will coordinate and deliver strategic initiatives while collaborating with internal and external stakeholders. The ideal candidate will have bakery science experience, project leadership, and a passion for translating science into market-ready solutions.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Food Science or related field.
• 5+ years of experience as broadly trained food/bakery scientist with experience related to new product development and ingredient functionality.
• Strong leadership and project management capabilities.
• Excellent communication and cross-functional collaboration with Sales, Marketing, Product Management, and Procurement.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop a team of scientists and technologists to deliver innovation, customer, and renovation projects.
• Lead ingredient and bakery application product development.
• Manage project scoping, resource planning, risk management, and stakeholder communication.
• Oversee complex projects including ingredient research, product optimization, and new product development.
• Coordinate with global RDA teams and external customers.

Skills

Project management

Team leadership

Communication

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Chemistry

Master's degree acceptable

Job description

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Manager, R&D

Job Category: Research and Development

Work Location: On-Site

Office Location: Lenexa, KS, US

Job Type: Full Time

Job ID: 6286

At Corbion, we exist to champion preservation in all its forms, preserving food and food production, health, and our planet.

Corbion is seeking a proactiveRD&AManager to leada team of bakery and food scientists. Thisrole serves as a critical business partner to Sales, Marketing, Product Management, andProcurementwhile driving the execution of innovation, customer,andrenovationinitiativestosupportour bakery business strategy.

TheRD&AManager is based in the Lenexa, KS North American corporate office and reports to theDirector of RD&A. In this position you will leada teamwhich supports Corbion’sbakingbusinessthrough the development, validation, and commercialization of bakery ingredient solutions. You will coordinate, prioritize and deliverstrategic and customerprojectswhilecollaboratingwith internal and external customers. You will beakey representative oftheCorbion NAMRD&Agroup to external customers.

The ideal candidate will bea food scientistwith experiences relevant tobakery applications,ingredient functionality,project management, and team leadership.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES

• Lead and develop a team of scientists and technologists to deliver innovation, customer, and renovation projects, ensuring the timely execution of product development activities and the generation of accurate,high-qualityresults
• Leadingredient and bakery applicationproduct development
• Ensure effective project scoping, resource planning, risk management, and stakeholder communication.
• Lead complex projects independently including but not limited to ingredient research, product optimization projects, andnewproduct development
• Actively buildopen and collaborative teamwork betweenglobal RDA teams
• Flagpriority clashes on time for decision within leadership team
• Securedata reporting and management of application knowledge, providewritten reports for use by internal teams and customers
• Ability to build trusted relationships with customersand internal business partnersas an expert in the field
• Cultivate a team atmosphere with peer groups and upper management
• Manage, motivate and develop laboratory staff
• Work collaboratively acrosstheresearch and application department to assess and prioritize needs of the broader RDA team
• Communicateswith clients regularly to understand needs, as well as answer questions and provide information onproduct functionality and troubleshooting
• Maintainproject timelinesand prioritizedaily work
• Oversee all people management for the designated teamincluding hours’ management, hiring, personnel development, performance evaluation and training
• Assist in maintaining a lab environment that is clean, organized, and work ready

Project leader or member of application/innovation projects:

• Contributeto ideation, reviewand identification ofnew projects, developing and executing technical plans, collecting and analyzing data, communicating results and project status, generating reports, and making presentations
• Participateeffectively on cross functional project teams, which may include colleagues from RDA, Sales, Technical Services, Business, Marketing, Operations, etc. as the needs of the projects dictate
• Utilize strong project management skills to develop and execute project plans, develop value propositions, and commercial launch packages
• Provide technical training on new technology and solutions
• Possess problem solving skills, understanding of experimental design, and statistical analysis

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Food Science or related scientific field. Master's Degree can substitute portion of required work experience
• 5+ years of experience as broadly trained food/bakery scientist with experiencerelated to new product development and ingredient functionality
• Deep knowledge of bakery processing and formulations of various bakery products (bread, buns, bagels, tortillas, cake, donuts, etc.)
• Experience leading a team offoodscientist or technologists, with proven track record ofproject management and delivery
• Strong people skills related to leading a team, working with peers, and upper management. Open and easy communicator
• Internal customer focus, drive for results, and can-do mentality. Works with high motivation and passion to deliver results
• Self-management and team management, handling multiple tasks and requests
• Team-player: Builds on expertise of others, and is able to connect the dots to drive for optimal results for Corbion
• Manage change and ambiguity
• External network: Able to build and maintain a professional network includingsuppliers,external labs, consultants,Universities, and/or Research Institutes

About Corbion

Corbion is a sustainable ingredients company dedicated to preserving what matters, including food and food production, health, and the planet. We specialize in lactic acid, lactic acid derivatives, food preservation solutions, functional blends, and algae ingredients, using our deep application and product knowledge to propel nature’s ingenuity through science. With more than a century of experience, we continue working side-by-side with our customers to make our cutting-edge technologies work for them. Leveraging our advanced capabilities in fermentation and preservation technology, we help customers differentiate their products in diverse markets ranging from food and animal nutrition to home & personal care, pharmaceuticals, electronics, medical devices, and bioplastics. In 2025, Corbion generated annual sales of € 1,267.4 million with a workforce of 2,408 FTEs. Corbion is listed on Euronext Amsterdam. For more information: www.corbion.com

Corbion is an equal opportunity employer and committed to a diverse workplace. All applicants will be considered equally without regard to race, color, ethnicity, veteran status, religion, national origin, marital status, political affiliation, age, sex, sexual orientation, handicapping condition, membership in an organization or any other non-merit factors.

Corbion provides reasonable accommodation to applicants.

EOE/M/F/Vet/Disabled