R&D Special Projects Lead — Bakery Innovation

Rise Baking Company, LLC; Minneapolis (MN); On-site; USD 111,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Rise Baking Company, LLC is seeking a R&D Special Projects Manager to lead high-impact projects across R&D and Operations. You will drive formulation development, oversee capital equipment initiatives, and scale products from bench to plant production with autonomy.

Based in Tucker, GA or Minneapolis, MN, the role requires cross-functional collaboration, strong project management, and travel to plant locations as needed.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in food science, food engineering, baking science, or a similar technical field.
• 7+ years of bakery product development, process/manufacturing engineering, or related bakery role.
• Expertise in bakery formulation development and scale‑up from R&D to production.
• Knowledge of bakery manufacturing equipment and processes; prior equipment support preferred.
• Experience with capital (capex) projects including equipment specification, installation, startup is preferred.
• Ability to work independently and drive projects with limited direction.
• Strong cross‑functional collaboration across R&D, Operations, Engineering and other departments.
• Creative, hands‑on problem solver for formulation, process, and equipment challenges.
• Strong organizational and project management skills for multiple concurrent projects.
• Proficient in MS Office (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Willingness and ability to travel to plant locations.

Responsibilities

• Develop, test, and scale new/modified formulations from concept through commercial production.
• Partner with Engineering/Operations to evaluate, specify, and commission new equipment; support trials and startup.
• Translate bench-scale/pilot formulations into plant-ready processes.
• Act as a flexible technical resource across R&D; support other projects or plants as needed.
• Apply problem-solving to formulation, process, and equipment challenges balancing quality, cost, and manufacturability.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with Operations, Engineering, Quality, Procurement, Marketing, and Plants.
• Conduct plant trials, scale‑ups, and pilot runs; analyze results and adjust accordingly.
• Prepare project documentation, timelines, budgets, and status updates for leadership.
• Identify risks and opportunities; propose and implement improvements.
• Stay current on bakery technology, equipment, and ingredient trends.
• Travel to plant locations as needed to support execution and startups.
• Support food safety programs, quality standards, and regulatory compliance.
• Perform other job-related duties as assigned.

Skills

Cross-functional collaboration

Project management

Problem solving

MS Office proficiency

Communication skills

Travel willingness

Education

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

Tools

Equipment installation experience

Job description

Rise Baking Company, LLC is seeking a R&D Special Projects Manager to lead high-impact projects across R&D and Operations. You will drive formulation development, oversee capital equipment initiatives, and scale products from bench to plant production with autonomy.

Based in Tucker, GA or Minneapolis, MN, the role requires cross-functional collaboration, strong project management, and travel to plant locations as needed.