Senior Food R&D Leader: Product Innovation & Launch

The Institute of Food Technologists; Carson (CA); On-site; USD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

The Institute of Food Technologists seeks a Senior Manager, Food R&D to lead product development from concept through launch. You will partner with Culinary, Operations, Quality, Supply Chain, Procurement, Marketing, and external manufacturers to deliver consumer-focused products that meet quality, safety, and cost targets.

You will direct formulation, testing, shelf-life validation, and process development while mentoring the R&D team and coordinating cross-functional commercialization

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Culinary Science, Food Engineering, Chemistry, or related field (advanced degree preferred).
• 12+ years of progressive experience in food product development, R&D, commercialization, or food manufacturing with complex projects.
• Knowledge of food formulation, processing, safety, regulatory requirements, and documentation.

Responsibilities

• Lead development of new food products, improvements, and cost optimization from ideation through commercialization.
• Translate consumer insights and business needs into technically feasible solutions.
• Manage formulation, ingredient functionality, bench testing, sensory evaluation, shelf-life validation, packaging compatibility, and process development.
• Plan plant trials, scale-ups, and first production runs with cross-functional teams and manufacturers.
• Ensure compliance with food safety, labeling, regulatory, and quality requirements.
• Provide technical leadership to troubleshoot product quality, process performance, and yield issues.
• Develop specifications, formulas, procedures, and commercialization records.
• Build relationships with suppliers, co-manufacturers, and internal stakeholders to accelerate innovation.

Skills

Leadership

Cross-functional collaboration

Project management

Technical communication

Analytical thinking

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Food Science or related field

Job description

The Institute of Food Technologists seeks a Senior Manager, Food R&D to lead product development from concept through launch. You will partner with Culinary, Operations, Quality, Supply Chain, Procurement, Marketing, and external manufacturers to deliver consumer-focused products that meet quality, safety, and cost targets.

You will direct formulation, testing, shelf-life validation, and process development while mentoring the R&D team and coordinating cross-functional commercialization