R&D & Innovation Lab Lead (Chicago)

Quadra Group; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 125,000 - 199,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Industry‑Leading work environment

Permanent, full-time opportunity

Competitive compensation & incentives

Comprehensive benefits coverage

Learning & development opportunities

Generous time-off program

401(k) match program

Great Place to Work certified

Job summary

Quadra is launching an Ingredients Applications Lab in Chicago and seeks a hands-on R&D / Innovation Manager to launch and lead the facility, providing technical support across the United States, partnering with sales and product marketing, and driving customer-focused innovation.

The role will establish equipment and workflows, recruit and develop a high-performing applications team, and collaborate with Quality, Regulatory, Operations and suppliers to deliver practical, compliant solutions

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Food Science or related field (master's asset).
• 10+ years of progressive R&D, applications, product development, or technical service in food.
• Hands-on formulation and prototype development experience in food/nutrition.
• Troubleshooting formulations and translating work into customer solutions.
• Experience establishing/improving laboratory processes, methods, documentation.
• Past leadership, mentoring or project leadership; recruiting/development asset.
• Knowledge of food safety, microbiology, and good laboratory practices.
• Experience with commercialization/scale-up in food production preferred.
• Proficient in digital/documentation tools; Genesis a plus.
• Willingness to travel within the United States and North America.

Responsibilities

• Launch and operationalize the Chicago Ingredients Applications Lab with equipment readiness and workflows.
• Develop a practical lab strategy aligned with U.S. Ingredients growth priorities.
• Provide formulation guidance, troubleshooting, prototypes, and customer-facing support.
• Translate market needs into application concepts and demonstrations.
• Collaborate with Sales and Product Marketing on campaigns and training.
• Build relationships with suppliers and support prototype data and technical storytelling.
• Create and maintain sample libraries, protocols, and technical resources for the commercial team.
• Coordinate with QA, Regulatory, Operations and North American R&D network for compliant solutions.
• Establish measures for lab activity, pipeline, and customer engagement.
• Assess future capability needs and recruit/build the team as needed.
• Manage lab budget and advise on equipment/investments.
• Represent Quadra at customer events and supplier meetings.

Skills

Lab leadership

Formulation expertise

Customer-focused

Project management

Regulatory & quality awareness

Strong communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Food Science or related discipline

Master’s degree considered a strong asset

Tools

Genesis nutrition software

Microsoft 365

Job description

Quadra is launching an Ingredients Applications Lab in Chicago and seeks a hands-on R&D / Innovation Manager to launch and lead the facility, providing technical support across the United States, partnering with sales and product marketing, and driving customer-focused innovation.

The role will establish equipment and workflows, recruit and develop a high-performing applications team, and collaborate with Quality, Regulatory, Operations and suppliers to deliver practical, compliant solutions