R&D Project Manager

Kelly Services; Milwaukee (WI); Hybrid; USD 145,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Kelly Science & Clinical is seeking an experienced R&D Project Manager to drive global natural color conversion initiatives from opportunity through commercialization. You will lead cross-functional teams across R&D, regulatory, supply chain, and operations to deliver complex programs.

Responsibilities include building schedules, defining milestones, managing critical paths, and implementing standardized project-management processes worldwide.

Qualifications

• Lab background: Direct experience working in a laboratory setting while managing technical programs.
• 7–10 years of PM experience in food ingredients, natural colors, F&B, or related B2B industries.
• Leadership in multi-region, cross-functional projects to commercialization.
• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Food Science, Chemistry, PM, Business, or related field.
• PMP certification (or equivalent) required.

Responsibilities

• Manage end-to-end global Innovation and customer projects through scale-up and commercialization.
• Build project plans and critical paths aligning Sales, Applications, R&D, Regulatory, Supply Chain, and Operations.
• Define scopes, timelines, and milestones while proactively resolving risks and resource constraints.
• Establish standardized PM processes, governance, and stage-gate practices globally.

Skills

Lab Background

PM Experience

Leadership

PMP Certification

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

R&D Project Manager

• Location: Milwaukee, WI (Metropolitan Area)

• Industry: Food -Ingredient/Food Manufacturing

• Job Status: Onsite/Hybrid

• Compensation: $145K+ + Full Benefits

• Type: Direct Hire / Contract-to-Hire

About the Role

Drive global, customer-driven natural color conversion projects from initial opportunity through commercialization. You will lead complex, cross-functional initiatives, manage critical paths, and align technical, commercial, and supply chain teams across regions.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage end-to-end global Innovation and customer projects through scale-up and commercialization.

• Build project plans and critical paths aligning Sales, Applications, R&D, Regulatory, Supply Chain, and Operations.

• Define scopes, timelines, and milestones while proactively resolving risks and resource constraints.

• Establish standardized PM processes, governance, and stage-gate practices globally.

Qualifications & Requirements

• Lab Background: Direct experience working in a laboratory setting managing technical programs.

• Experience: 7–10 years of PM experience in food ingredients, natural colors, F&B, or related B2B industries.

• Leadership: Proven track record leading multi-region, cross-functional projects to commercialization.

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Food Science, Chemistry, PM, Business, or related field.

• Certification: PMP certification (or equivalent) required.

Why Kelly Science & Clinical?

Kelly Science & Clinical is your connection to premier scientific and clinical companies looking to hire industry experts just like you. Our team creates expert talent solutions to solve the world’s most critical challenges. Every day, we match science professionals with dream jobs that fit their skills, interests, and career goals—it’s the way we think job searching should be. Nearly 100 percent of our science recruiters have a professional background and education in science, so we know a thing or two about the science market and how to get your expertise noticed.

About Kelly

Work changes everything. And at Kelly, we’re obsessed with where it can take you. To us, it’s about more than simply accepting your next job opportunity. It’s the fuel that powers every next step of your life. It’s the ripple effect that changes and improves everything for your family, your community, and the world. Which is why, here at Kelly, we are dedicated to providing you with limitless opportunities to enrich your life—just ask the 300,000 people we employ each year.

As part of our promise to talent, Kelly supports those who work with us through a variety of benefits, perks, and work-related resources. Please note: The following benefits reflect Kelly's general offerings. Eligibility may vary by assignment, location, and job type. Kelly offers eligible employees voluntary benefit plans including medical, dental, vision, telemedicine, term life, whole life, accident insurance, critical illness, a legal plan, and short-term disability. As a Kelly employee, you will have access to a retirement savings plan, service bonus and holiday pay plans (earn up to eight paid holidays per benefit year), and a transit spending account. In addition, employees are entitled to earn paid sick leave under the applicable state or local plan. Click here (https://www.mykelly.com/help-support-working-with-kelly-us/#Benefits) for more information on benefits and perks that may be available to you as a member of the Kelly Talent Community.

Kelly is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all qualified employees and applicants regardless of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, disability, veteran status, age, marital status, pregnancy, genetic information, or any other legally protected status, and we take affirmative action to recruit, employ, and advance qualified individuals with disabilities and protected veterans in the workforce. Requests for accommodation related to our application process can be directed to the Kelly Human Resource Knowledge Center. Kelly complies with the requirements of California’s state and local Fair Chance laws. A conviction does not automatically bar individuals from employment. Kelly participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S.

Kelly may use AI-powered tools during the recruitment and hiring process. For full details, including how Kelly uses AI, your rights, and how to request a reasonable accommodation, visit the Recruitment Artificial Intelligence Notice (https://www.kellyservices.com/hubfs/myKelly/Resources/Employment_Policies/Recruitment-Artificial-Intelligence-Notice.pdf?hsLang=en) .

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