R&D Commercialization Manager - Food & Beverage Manufacturing

Alexander Steele Recruitment; Salt Lake City (UT); On-site; USD 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

An innovative food ingredients manufacturer is seeking a Research & Development Commercialization Manager to lead product development from concept to launch. This role is pivotal in creating unique taste and texture solutions for clients in the foodservice industry. You will collaborate closely with various teams, ensuring that new products meet quality and regulatory standards while staying ahead of market trends. Join a dynamic company that values creativity and technical expertise, and be part of a team that shapes the future of food innovation.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in food product development for foodservice.
• Strong understanding of food processing, packaging, and regulatory standards.

Responsibilities

• Develop innovative solutions for restaurant and foodservice clients.
• Collaborate with teams to create on-trend flavor profiles and manage commercialization.

Skills

Food Science

Technical Problem-Solving

Communication Skills

Food Processing Knowledge

Regulatory Standards Understanding

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Food Science

HACCP Certification

Tools

Microsoft Office 365

ERP Systems

Job description

R&D Commercialization Manager - Food & Beverage Manufacturing

2 days ago Be among the first 25 applicants

Get AI-powered advice on this job and more exclusive features.

Direct message the job poster from Alexander Steele Recruitment

Developing Your North American Food & Beverage Teams at Alexander Steele | Flavors & Ingredients Talent Specialist

About:

Alexander Steele has exclusively partnered with a highly innovative, industry-leading food ingredients manufacturer that specializes in producing a variety of premium, custom-crafted foodstuffs for foodservice, industrial, private label & retail markets.

As they rapidly scale their business across North America, we are actively searching for a Research & Dev. Commercialization Manager to be a key part of their product team in Salt Lake City, Utah.

The R&D Commercialization Manager will lead the development of new products from initial concept through production and launch, focusing on continuous improvement. This role requires a strong background in food science, technical problem-solving skills, and excellent communication abilities.

Reporting to the VP of Culinary (Direct), Director of Project Management (Dotted - Line), and Director of R&D (Dotted - Line).

Responsibilities:

• Develop innovative taste, texture, and functionality solutions for the company's restaurant and foodservice clients.
• Build close partnerships with Sales, Culinary/R&D, Quality, Operations, Procurement, and customer teams, addressing formulations, processes, packaging, shelf-life, storage, specifications, and ingredient substitutions.
• Collaborate with flavor houses and ingredient suppliers to create on-trend flavor profiles.
• Stay updated on food trends, consumer preferences, and emerging technologies to identify new product opportunities.
• Create and refine prototypes for internal reviews and customer presentations.
• Manage all aspects of commercialization, including formulation, ingredient approvals, process development, shelf-life, packaging, and specifications.
• Support plant trials, production start-ups, and early runs to ensure product quality, sensory expectations, and consistency.
• Conduct feasibility assessments, scale-up evaluations, shelf-life testing, labeling verification, and specification development.
• Ensure smooth transition of new concepts into production by managing risks, resolving problems, and aligning cross-functionally.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Food Technology, or related field
• At least 5 years of experience in food product development, with a focus on foodservice R&D and culinary collaboration.
• Experience working in manufacturing, R&D labs, and pilot plants.
• Knowledge of products with diverse applications.
• Strong understanding of food processing, packaging, shelf-life, and regulatory standards (FDA, USDA).
• Technical expertise in flavor differentiation.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office 365, ERP systems, and strong math skills.
• HACCP certification or willingness to obtain within 90 days.

We are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace. We are an equal opportunity employer and do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, or veteran status. We believe diversity enriches our company and improves our service to customers and communities.