R&D Manager

Griffith Foods; Alsip (IL); Hybrid; USD 103,000 - 133,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Rx, Dental & Vision

401(k) with company match

Parental Leave

Tuition/Education assistance

Job summary

Griffith Foods is hiring an R&D Manager to drive technical projects and talent development, aligning R&D initiatives with business strategy. The role oversees 3–5 direct reports and works closely with cross-functional teams to deliver on packaging, processing, and regulatory needs.

Ideal candidates have 5+ years in food R&D, strong bench skills, and experience in snacks and formulation. Onsite presence 3–4 days weekly in Alsip, IL is required.

Qualifications

• Five+ years in food R&D with bench skills.
• Direct people-management experience (5+ years).
• Experience in food manufacturing and new product development.
• Experience with snacks and food formulations.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage 3–5 direct reports.
• Guide R&D activities to align with business strategy.
• Apply scientific/engineering principles to research, development and processing.
• Collaborate with Supply Chain to connect formulation to production.
• Mentor staff and contribute to talent management programs.
• Track progress with metrics and reports.
• Represent R&D in relationships with clients, suppliers and academia.

Skills

Team leadership

Project management

Cross-functional collaboration

Communication

Sensory evaluation

Education

Bachelor of Food Science / related degree

Job description

TITLE: R&D Manager

LOCATION: Hybrid in Alsip, IL 3-4 days a week

COMP RANGE: $103,000 - $133,000 / year plus bonus

Griffith Foods is hiring a R&D Manager to implement technical projects and talent management programs to support the overall business strategy. This role directs R&D activities by performing the following duties personally, through a designate, or through subordinate supervisors.

This role offers the opportunity to align R&D initiatives with business strategy and advance the organization's broader objectives.

As An R&D Manager, Your Responsibilities Will Include

• Leading and managing 3-5 direct reports.
• Function as a team leader and manager in execution activities that support key clients and the overall Griffith Foods business strategy.
• Strong knowledge of product development, formulations and processing used in food manufacturing.
• Applying scientific and engineering principles in research, development, production technology, quality control, packaging, processing, and utilization of foods.
• Collaborate with Supply Chain to link product formulation activities to commercial fulfillment efficiencies for production of safe and regulatory complaint food products.
• Establishes goals, appraises performance, deploys training and provides input into final review for all direct reports. Coaches staff on job performance and career planning. Contribute feedback to the talent management program with guidance from HR and Directors.
• Communicates progress of all products under development. Leverage methods and procedures for monitoring project success, such as metrics, resource investment and expenditure, research findings, progress reports and staff conferences.
• Represents R&D in professional business relationships with GFUS client and supplier base, academia, government and corporations in the food industry.

The R&D Manager position is well suited for you if you:

• Are creative and have passion for food and development.
• Have strong technical expertise in the snacks and food industry.
• Enjoy partnering with cross-functional teams to drive project progress, resolve technical issues, and deliver against business timelines.
• Can work effectively in a fast-paced, cross-functional environment with changing priorities.
• Have effective communication, influencing, project management, and problem-solving skills.
• Are detail-oriented and capable of building relationships across the organization.
• Manage hiring, discipline, performance reviews and overall management of staff.

Qualified Candidates Will Have

• Bachelor of Food Science, Food Technology, Food Chemistry, or a related degree.
• At least 5-8 years of R&D experience food ingredient or product development with strong bench work skills and the ability to execute solutions rapidly.
• At least 5 years’ direct people management including leadership, coaching and development.
• At least 5 years’ experience in food manufacturing, new product development, duplications, cost reduction development and experience in collaborating directly with customers and manufacturing facilities.
• At least 5 years’ experience with snacks and food manufacturing formulations and raw materials.
• Must have sensory acuity, scientifically evaluate sensory characteristics of food products.
• Working knowledge of US food standards and regulations.
• Willingness to be onsite 3-4 days a week in Alsip, IL.
• Willingness and ability to travel within the US up to 10% as needed for business purposes.
• Candidates must currently possess unrestricted authorization to work in the United States. Work visa sponsorship is not available for this role.

This role is affiliated with our Alsip, IL location, and candidates for this role need to reside within a commutable distance of that location and will be required to come into that location. You may be asked to travel to other locations periodically for meetings.

The Company offers the following benefits for this position, subject to applicable eligibility requirements: Medical, Rx, Dental, Vision, Flexible Spending & Health Savings Accounts, EAP, Health Advocacy, Financial Planning, Parental Leave, Care.com, Adoption & Surrogacy Assistance, Education Assistance/Tuition Reimbursement, Safety Reimbursement, Lifestyle Spending Account, Group Life & AD&D, Voluntary Life Insurance, Short Term & Long Term Disability, 401(k) Plan with Company Match, PTO, Holiday’s & Leaves, Accident Insurance, Critical Illness Insurance, Hospital Indemnity, Home & Auto Insurance, Pet Insurance, Identity Theft Protection, Long Term Care + Life Insurance & Legal Assistance. There is also potential for a discretionary bonus, with a target of 12%. This bonus is based on personal & company performance and is not a guaranteed bonus plan.

At Griffith Foods, you can be a member of a globally connected team that is known for true, collaborative innovation, guided by our purpose to Blend Care and Creativity to Nourish the World. We are a family-owned business, founded in 1919 and headquarters in Alsip, Illinois USA. Our product capabilities range from seasonings and marinades to coating systems and sauces that are better for people and better for the planet.

At Griffith Foods, we aim to create a regenerative future and build food systems that are sustainable and resilient for both people and the planet. A sustainable supply chain enables us to deliver high-quality products in a way that supports the growers and farming communities.

Learn more about us at https://griffithfoods.com/careers/