R&D & Innovation Project Lead - Bakery (Relocation Support)

Best Maid Cookie Company; Minneapolis (MN); On-site; USD 111,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Rise Baking Company is seeking an R&D Special Projects Manager to independently lead and execute strategic initiatives across R&D, manufacturing, and innovation, focusing on new capital equipment, line installations, and formulation development.

The role requires being based in Tucker, GA or Minneapolis, MN with relocation assistance available. You will drive projects from concept to implementation with autonomy and collaborate across Plant teams to meet specifications.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in food science, food engineering, baking science, or a similar technical field.
• 7+ years in bakery product development or related bakery engineering roles.
• Experience scaling formulations from R&D to full commercial production.
• Solid knowledge of bakery manufacturing equipment and line installations.
• Experience with capital projects including equipment specification, installation, and startup.
• Ability to work independently with limited direction.
• Strong cross-functional collaboration across R&D, Operations, and Engineering.
• Willingness to travel to plant locations as needed.

Responsibilities

• Develop, test, and scale new and modified formulations for cross-category initiatives.
• Partner with Engineering and Operations to evaluate and commission new equipment.
• Translate bench-scale formulations into plant-ready processes.
• Act as a flexible technical resource across R&D and Operations.
• Apply problem-solving to formulation, process, and equipment challenges.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure on-time project execution.
• Conduct plant trials, scale-ups, and pilot runs with analysis and adjustments.
• Prepare project documentation, timelines, budgets, and status updates for leadership.
• Identify risks and opportunities; propose proactive solutions.
• Stay current on bakery tech, equipment, and ingredient trends.
• Travel to plant locations to support project execution.

Skills

Project management

Cross-functional collaboration

Problem solving

MS Office

Communication skills

Travel

Hands-on bench work

Education

Bachelor's degree in food science/food engineering/baking science

Tools

Bakery equipment

Capital equipment

Job description

Rise Baking Company is seeking an R&D Special Projects Manager to independently lead and execute strategic initiatives across R&D, manufacturing, and innovation, focusing on new capital equipment, line installations, and formulation development.

The role requires being based in Tucker, GA or Minneapolis, MN with relocation assistance available. You will drive projects from concept to implementation with autonomy and collaborate across Plant teams to meet specifications.