Research & Development Manager
DSJ Global
Get more replies from employers
Send a job-specific resume in minutes.
Job summary
DSJ Global is seeking a Research & Development Manager for a leading food manufacturing and co-packing organization to drive product innovation, process development, and commercialization. The role leads cross-functional teams and ensures compliance with food safety and regulatory requirements.
The ideal candidate has a strong background in food science, product development, and innovation management, with 7+ years in related roles and a track record of bringing new products to market.
Qualifications
- 7+ years in food product development, innovation, or R&D leadership.
- Proven experience leading cross-functional teams and managing complex projects.
- Strong knowledge of food science, formulation, processing technologies, and regulatory requirements.
- Experience in manufacturing environments collaborating with Operations and Quality teams.
Responsibilities
- Lead development and commercialization of new food products and line extensions.
- Manage formulation, ingredient sourcing, and sensory performance.
- Conduct bench-top development, pilot trials, and scale-up activities.
- Drive continuous product improvement initiatives.
- Evaluate and implement new processing technologies and manufacturing methods.
- Optimize production processes for efficiency, quality, and sustainability.
- Lead pilot plant trials and validate processes prior to commercialization.
- Develop data-driven approaches to improve operational and product performance.
- Ensure compliance with FDA, HACCP, GMP, labeling, and other applicable food regulations.
- Align R&D priorities with organizational goals and market opportunities.
- Represent the organization at industry events, supplier meetings, and technical forums.
- Identify opportunities to create competitive advantages through innovation and IP.
- Lead and mentor R&D professionals and manage resources, budgets, schedules.
Skills
Education
Tools
Job description
Our client, a leading food manufacturing and co-packing organization, is seeking a Research & Development Manager to lead product innovation, process development, and commercialization initiatives. This role is responsible for driving the development of new food products, optimizing manufacturing processes, leading cross-functional project teams, and ensuring compliance with food safety and regulatory requirements. The ideal candidate is a strategic leader with a strong background in food science, product development, and innovation management.
Our client, a leading food manufacturing and co-packing organization, is seeking a Research & Development Manager to lead product innovation, process development, and commercialization initiatives. This role is responsible for driving the development of new food products, optimizing manufacturing processes, leading cross-functional project teams, and ensuring compliance with food safety and regulatory requirements. The ideal candidate is a strategic leader with a strong background in food science, product development, and innovation management.
This position operates in a professional office setting with regular interaction on the manufacturing floor. The role requires the use of standard office equipment, including computers, phones, printers, and related technology.
- Occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds with assistance.
- Wear required Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) in accordance with company safety standards.
- Ability to hear, speak, and exchange information effectively.
- Ability to bend, kneel, sit, crouch, and perform routine physical movements.
- Ability to walk and stand for extended periods during the workday.
- Develop and execute R&D strategies aligned with business objectives and market opportunities.
- Lead new product development from concept through commercialization.
- Oversee product formulation, ingredient selection, sensory evaluation, and process optimization.
- Translate scientific research and market trends into commercially successful products.
- Manage multiple R&D projects simultaneously while maintaining timelines and budgets.
- Establish key performance metrics to measure project success and innovation effectiveness.
- Collaborate across departments to ensure successful commercialization efforts.
- Monitor emerging consumer trends, technologies, ingredients, and competitive activity.
- Identify opportunities for product differentiation and sustainable growth.
- Conduct research and feasibility assessments to support innovation initiatives.
- Partner with Operations, Quality, Marketing, Procurement, and external stakeholders to drive project success.
- Build strong relationships with suppliers, industry experts, and research institutions.
- Lead the development and commercialization of new food products and line extensions.
- Manage product formulation, ingredient sourcing, and sensory performance.
- Conduct bench-top development, pilot trials, and scale-up activities.
- Drive continuous product improvement initiatives.
- Evaluate and implement new processing technologies and manufacturing methods.
- Optimize production processes for efficiency, scalability, quality, and sustainability.
- Lead pilot plant trials and validate manufacturing processes prior to commercialization.
- Develop data-driven approaches to improve operational and product performance.
- Ensure compliance with FDA, HACCP, GMP, labeling, and other applicable food regulations.
- Support nutritional labeling, allergen management, and product documentation requirements.
- Maintain records necessary for audits, customer requests, and regulatory compliance.
- Collaborate with Quality and Regulatory teams to ensure product integrity.
- Align R&D priorities with organizational goals and market opportunities.
- Develop innovation roadmaps that support long-term business growth.
- Represent the organization at industry events, supplier meetings, and technical forums.
- Identify opportunities to create competitive advantages through innovation and intellectual property.
- Lead and mentor R&D professionals, food scientists, and technical personnel.
- Foster a culture of innovation, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
- Manage project resources, budgets, schedules, and deliverables.
- Provide technical guidance and professional development opportunities to team members.
- Follow and enforce all company safety policies and OSHA regulations.
- Support continuous improvement efforts throughout the organization.
- Benchmark industry best practices, materials, and technologies to enhance performance.
- Ensure compliance with all food safety programs, policies, and procedures.
- Perform additional duties and special projects as assigned.
- Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Food Technology, or a related scientific discipline required.
- Master's degree and/or professional certifications preferred.
- 7+ years of progressive experience in food product development, innovation, or research and development leadership within the food manufacturing industry.
- Proven experience leading cross-functional teams and managing complex product development projects from concept through commercialization.
- Strong knowledge of food science, formulation, processing technologies, and regulatory requirements.
- Experience working in manufacturing environments and collaborating with Operations and Quality teams.
- Strong leadership, strategic planning, and decision-making capabilities.
- Excellent project management and organizational skills.
- Exceptional communication, presentation, and interpersonal abilities.
- Advanced problem-solving and analytical skills.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, including Excel and PowerPoint.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities while meeting deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
- Demonstrated ability to build collaborative relationships across all levels of an organization.
- Willingness and ability to wear required PPE and comply with all safety protocols.
'/%3e%3cpath%20d='M101.744%2012.4726L102.894%2016.1947L99.0021%2013.2201L101.744%2012.4726ZM105.3%208.40937H100.488L99.0026%203.59473L97.5116%208.41047L92.7%208.40385L96.5965%2011.3834L95.1055%2016.1942L99.0021%2013.2196L101.408%2011.3834L105.3%208.40992V8.40937Z'%20fill='white'/%3e%3cdefs%3e%3clinearGradient%20id='paint0_linear_5593_1381'%20x1='90'%20y1='9.44471'%20x2='99'%20y2='9.44471'%20gradientUnits='userSpaceOnUse'%3e%3cstop%20stop-color='%2300AD70'/%3e%3cstop%20offset='0.998594'%20stop-color='%2300B67A'/%3e%3cstop%20offset='1'%20stop-color='%23DCDCE6'/%3e%3c/linearGradient%3e%3c/defs%3e%3c/svg%3e){kind=small}
