Process Development Manager

High Liner Foods

Boston (MA)

On-site

USD 90,000 - 120,000

Full time

14 days+

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Benefits offered by this job

Pay for performance incentives

Employee & Family assistance programs

Wellness Programs

Retirement Planning

Family friendly Flex policies & Summer hours

Learning and mentorship opportunities

Safety focused work environment

Job summary

A major food manufacturer is seeking an R&D Process Development Manager to ensure successful full-scale manufacturing of frozen products. This role serves as a technical expert bridging R&D and manufacturing while leading projects to enhance yield, reduce costs, and implement new technologies. Candidates should possess a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Food Science or relevant fields, coupled with at least 8 years of experience in frozen food manufacturing. Excellent analytical and technical skills are crucial for success in this vital role.

Qualifications

8-10 years of hands-on experience in frozen food manufacturing, preferably seafood or protein.
Demonstrated ability to lead and direct work on the plant floor efficiently.
Strong understanding of food safety and regulatory requirements.

Responsibilities

Serve as the technical SME for frozen product manufacturing processes.
Lead projects for yield optimization and cost reduction.
Support technical services when translating R&D formulations to plant runs.

Skills

Frozen food manufacturing

Process capability analysis

Technical leadership

Lean Six Sigma

Microsoft Excel

Education

Bachelor's or Master’s degree in Food Science, Food Engineering, or related field

Tools

Food processing equipment

Job description

The R&D Process Development Manager serves as a senior technical Subject Matter Expert (SME) for High Liner Foods’ manufacturing processes and systems, with a primary focus on ensuring frozen products are executed for successful full-scale manufacturing.

This role acts as the critical bridge between R&D and Manufacturing, translating bench and pilot scale formulations, processes, and specifications into robust, efficient, and repeatable full-scale production across High Liner Foods’ internal manufacturing and co-manufacturing network. The position identifies and leads product and process opportunities, including formulation and ingredient changes, process improvements, specification modifications, and the evaluation and application of new technologies to improve manufacturability, performance, and cost.

As part of a multi-disciplinary technical team, this role provides hands-on leadership during plant trials, first productions, and scale-up activities, ensuring alignment between product intent and operational execution.

The position is based at High Liner Foods’ headquarters in Portsmouth, NH and provides technical support to manufacturing locations as needed, including partnering with co-manufactures and vendors.

Accountability And Responsibilities

Technical SME & Manufacturing Expertise

Serve as the technical SME for frozen product manufacturing processes, systems, and equipment.
Develop and maintain deep, current knowledge of products, formulations, processing technologies, packaging capabilities and plant operations.
Provide expert guidance on manufacturability, process capability, packaging and operational constraints across sites.

R&D Manufacturing Translation & Technical Services

Own the translation of R&D formulations, processes, and specifications into scalable, repeatable manufacturing processes.
Support the plant with technical services when translating R&D formulations to plant runs.
Partner with R&D & packaging teams early in development to ensure products are designed for manufacturability and aligned with plant capabilities.
Identify process, formulation, or equipment risks early and drive technical solutions prior to commercialization.
Ensure smooth transfer of products across High Liner Foods’ internal and external manufacturing network.
Lead projects focused on yield optimization, cost reduction, throughput improvement, labor efficiency, and quality enhancement.
Support formula and specification optimization to improve manufacturability without compromising product integrity.
Analyze production and operating data to identify opportunities and implement sustainable improvements.
Evaluate and apply emerging technologies in partnership with external suppliers, consultants, and professional organizations.
Lead and direct plant trials, first productions, and scale-up activities, serving as the on-site technical authority. Establish and institutionalize clear success criteria for trials and production runs, including defined throughput, yield, and performance benchmarks.
Set, validate, and adjust machine parameters, tooling, dies, cutting and slicing methods, and line configuration to ensure product consistency and efficiency.
Troubleshoot process and equipment issues in real time, making decisive adjustments to maintain throughput, yield, and quality.
Work directly with operators, supervisors, and plant leadership to align on best operating practices and execution standards.

Documentation, Governance & Reports

Maintain clear, concise technical documentation including formulas, process specifications, trial reports, and risk assessments.
Prepare project scopes, cost estimates, and support capital project requests as needed.
Present technical findings and recommendations to R&D and cross-functional stakeholders.
Mentor, influence, and coach plant leaders and project teams on best manufacturing and processing practices.
Acting as the product expert, qualify new processing lines, equipment, tooling, and technologies to support new product launches and renovations.
Define and document process specifications, control parameters, and standard operating conditions.
Support equipment moves, line modifications, and process changes in collaboration with Engineering and Operations.

Cross-Functional & External Collaboration

Maintain strong, cooperative working relationships with R&D, Manufacturing, Engineering, Quality, Regulatory, Procurement, FP&A, Supply Chain, Marketing, and Legal.
Facilitate cross-functional teams to deliver process improvements that increase capacity, productivity, and cost efficiency.
Support technical risk assessments and mitigation strategies through launch and post-launch.
Partner with FP&A and Process Optimization teams to align throughput assumptions with operational reality, building structured feedback loops that continuously refine R&D capacity models and improve forecast accuracy.

Operate with a high degree of autonomy and technical leadership without direct people management.

Qualifications

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Food Science, Food Engineering, Mechanical, Process, or Industrial Engineering. Equivalent extensive manufacturing experience considered.
8-10 years of hands-on experience in frozen food manufacturing; seafood or protein experience strongly preferred.
Demonstrated ability to lead and direct work on the plant floor with confidence and credibility.
Deep practical experience with processing equipment, including forming, block cutting, slicing, coating, frying, freezing, and line configuration.
Strong understanding of food safety, quality systems, and regulatory requirements.
Proven experience leading scale-up, first production, and commercialization activities.
Experience implementing and sustaining continuous improvement programs (Lean, Six Sigma, SPC).
Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret data and drive decisions.
Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and strong working knowledge of Microsoft Office.
Excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills.

Working conditions

Lab & Office Environment: Lab conditions include kitchen and lab equipment and noises. Office environment is moderately quiet.

Plant Environment: The plant work environment will expose the employee to loud noise, food grade dust & odors, moving & vibrating machinery, heavy equipment, powered industrial trucks, heights, traffic, anhydrous ammonia, oil and electricity. The employee may be exposed to adverse weather conditions including extreme cold, heat, rain, snow, dust, smoke and odors. Flexibility of work hours. Ability to work on feet for extended periods of time if needed.

Physical Requirements/Allergens

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to walk, sit, talk, listen, and reach with hands and arms. The employee is required to use hands to handle, operate, and feel objects, tools or controls. The employee is occasionally required to operate a motor vehicle to travel to off-site meetings. The employee must have visual acuity sufficient to operate a motor vehicle and digital camera, as well as other office and position equipment. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus. Employee must be able to hear and speak clearly in order to communicate with clients, coworkers, employees and vendors.

Travel

Willingness to travel up to approximately 40% within North America to support plant trials, first productions, start-ups, vendor visits, and equipment qualification activities.

What\'s in it for you?

Join High Liner Foods for a career where you shape your path, backed by great benefits, flexible work, and a culture of diversity, innovation, and sustainability. Immerse yourself in opportunities to make a real impact and grow with us in our mission to nourish lives. Start your adventure where endless possibilities to thrive together await.