Onsite R&D Manager

Post Holdings, Inc.; Visalia, Northern (CA, KY); Hybrid; USD 111,000 - 164,000; Full time

Job summary

Post Consumer Brands in Visalia, California is seeking an experienced Research & Development Manager for pet food. You will lead the local Product Development team, drive innovation, and commercialize new formulas while partnering with manufacturing, quality assurance, and commercial teams.

This leadership role requires a degree in a relevant technical field and at least five years in food manufacturing or product development, with a proven ability to bring products from concept to market.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant technical field.
• Minimum 5 years in food manufacturing or product development.
• Experience in pet food or consumer packaged goods preferred.
• Proven track record bringing products from concept through commercialization.

Responsibilities

• Lead product development and commercialization of new pet food products.
• Serve as primary technical contact for private label and co-manufactured programs.
• Drive improvements to increase efficiency, cost effectiveness, and quality.
• Collaborate with Operations, Marketing, Finance and Procurement to align goals.

Skills

Product formulation

Process optimization

SPC

Quality improvement

Manufacturing efficiency

Analytical skills

Cross-functional leadership

Project management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Food Science

Job description

Business Unit Overview

Headquartered in Lakeville, Minn., Post Consumer Brands, a business unit of Post Holdings, Inc., is dedicated to providing people and their pets with delicious food choices for every taste and budget. The company's portfolio includes beloved brands such as Honey Bunches of Oats™, PEBBLES™, Grape-Nuts™ and Malt-O-Meal™ cereal and Peter Pan™ peanut butter, as well as Rachael Ray® Nutrish™, Kibbles 'n Bits™ and 9Lives™ dog and cat food. Post also provides private label solutions to customers in pet food, cereal, nut butters and granola. As a company committed to high standards of quality and to our values, we are driven by one idea: To make lives better by making delicious food accessible for all. For more information about our brands, visit www.postconsumerbrands.com and follow us on LinkedIn or Facebook for the latest news.

Location Description

Visalia, CA is home to 360,000 square feet of manufacturing, packaging, warehouse, and office space. Approximately 250 employees work here, utilizing the latest technologies and systems, capable of producing extensive, diverse, and innovative pet food products. Visalia is in California’s San Joaquin Valley and the gateway to Sequoia National Park, part of the Sierra Nevada mountain range. It also has a minor league baseball team, the Visalia California Oaks, and several colleges and universities.

Responsibilities

Research & Development Manager, Pet Food

Location: Visalia, CA Company: Post Consumer Brands

Make a Difference in Pet Nutrition

At Post Consumer Brands, we're passionate about creating high-quality products that consumers trust and pets love. We're seeking an experienced and innovative Research & Development Manager to lead product development and technical initiatives at our Visalia, California pet food manufacturing facility.

This leadership role is responsible for managing the local Product Development team, driving innovation and commercialization efforts, supporting manufacturing excellence, and ensuring the highest standards of food safety and product quality. The successful candidate will serve as a key technical leader and business partner, working cross-functionally to deliver new products, optimize existing formulas and processes, and support strategic growth initiatives.

If you thrive in a fast-paced manufacturing environment and enjoy turning technical expertise into business results, we'd love to hear from you.

What You'll Do

Lead Product Development & Innovation

• Manage and develop the local Product Development team responsible for new and existing pet food products.
• Establish priorities and direct team activities to support innovation, cost optimization, quality improvements, and business objectives.
• Drive the development, validation, and commercialization of new products and product enhancements.
• Support implementation of new formulas, ingredients, processing technologies, and equipment.

Serve as the Technical Leader

• Act as the primary technical point of contact for B2B customers, including Private Label and Co-Manufactured pet food programs.
• Partner directly with commercial teams and customers to provide technical expertise and support.
• Provide guidance on product formulation, process development, ingredient functionality, shelf-life performance, and product quality.
• Troubleshoot complex product and manufacturing challenges and develop practical, sustainable solutions.

Drive Manufacturing Excellence

• Identify and lead formula, ingredient, process, and equipment-related improvements that increase efficiency, optimize costs, and improve product quality.
• Improve and sustain finished product identity and consistency at the plant level.
• Support validation of process and product parameter changes related to equipment, formulations, and manufacturing processes.
• Lead plant commercialization activities for new products and corporate cost-savings initiatives.
• Coordinate implementation of process improvements and best practices across facilities.

Collaborate Across Functions

• Partner closely with Operations, Marketing, Finance, Procurement, Engineering, Packaging, Quality, and Food Safety teams to establish development priorities.
• Lead cross-functional project teams and drive alignment around business goals and technical solutions.
• Foster collaboration between Product Development and other technical organizations to ensure successful project execution.

Champion Food Safety & Quality

• Support, implement, and maintain SQF requirements and food safety programs.
• Promote a strong food safety culture and ensure adherence to quality standards.
• Lead initiatives to improve product quality, consistency, and manufacturing performance.

Stay Connected to Industry Trends

• Monitor emerging technologies, competitive products, customer insights, and industry developments.
• Identify opportunities to enhance products, processes, and customer value through innovation.

Qualifications

What We're Looking For

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering, Animal Science, Animal Nutrition, Food Science, or another relevant technical discipline required.

Experience

• Minimum of 5 years of experience in food manufacturing, product development, quality assurance, process engineering, or process development.
• Experience in the pet food industry or consumer packaged goods industry preferred.
• Demonstrated success bringing innovative products from concept through commercialization and market launch.
• Proven expertise in:
  • Product formulation
  • Process optimization
  • Statistical Process Control (SPC)
  • Quality improvement initiatives
  • Manufacturing efficiency programs

Skills & Competencies

• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and troubleshooting skills.
• Sound business judgment and data-driven decision‑making capabilities.
• Ability to influence, mentor, and coach teams to achieve results.
• Strong project management and organizational skills.
• Proven success leading cross-functional teams and driving consensus.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and negotiation skills.
• Passion for workplace safety and continuous improvement.
• Ability to balance strategic priorities while managing day-to-day technical challenges.
• Strong relationship-building skills with internal and external stakeholders.
• Ability to lead change and inspire high‑performing teams.

Physical Requirements & Travel

• Ability to lift to 25 kg (55 lbs).
• Ability to work in a plant manufacturing environment.
• Traveling up to 20% as business needs require.

Why Join Post Consumer Brands?

At Post Consumer Brands, you'll join a company committed to innovation, operational excellence, and continuous growth. This is an opportunity to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of pet nutrition while leading impactful projects from concept through commercialization.

You’ll work alongside talented professionals, influence strategic business decisions, and help deliver high-quality products that make a difference for customers, consumers, and their pets every day.

Ready to lead innovation and drive the future of pet food development? Apply today to join our team in Visalia, California.

The pay range for this position is $110,629 - $163,731 per year.