Senior Manager, Research Development & Applications Manager

Kerry; Clark (NJ); On-site; USD 146,800 - 232,450; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical

Dental

Vision

401(k) plan

Employee Share Plan

Tuition reimbursement

Job summary

Kerry in Clark, NJ is seeking a Senior Manager of Research, Development and Applications (RD&A) to lead the PD&A team, collaborate across departments, and drive product innovation from concept to commercialization. The role demands strong project management, regulatory acumen, and external partner coordination.

You will guide scale-up activities, manage resources, and contribute to cost-saving initiatives while mentoring team members and ensuring high-quality outcomes for Kerry’s beverage and

Qualifications

• BS in quality or food science required.
• MS/PhD in Food Science preferred.
• 5+ years in the industry with 3+ years in a supervisory role.
• Experience with quality/regulatory compliance and product development.

Responsibilities

• Co-lead Clark Beverage PD&A team and manage talent development.
• Coordinate with Marketing, Business Development, Sales, Operations, QA, Purchasing, Supply chain to deliver projects on time and within budget.
• Lead RD&A cost-saving initiatives and drive commercialization of products.
• Assist customers and Kerry’s Technical Services in scale-up of R&D developments.
• Provide strong project management to ensure resources and priorities are aligned.
• Manage outside resources (suppliers, consultants, development partners).
• Maintain records to support IP strategy and protect trade secrets.
• Work with QA and Regulatory to ensure formulas meet domestic and international requirements.
• Collaborate with QA and Sensory on testing (shelf life, consumer testing, analytical testing).
• Provide technical summaries and support for other departments.

Skills

Quality/food safety

Food science

Statistical process control

Food chemistry

Project management

Leadership/supervisory

Regulatory understanding

Education

BS in Quality, Food Science, Safety or related

MS/PhD in Food Science preferred

Job description

About Kerry

Kerry is the world's leading taste and nutrition company for the food, beverage and pharmaceutical industries. Every day we partner with customers to create healthier, tastier and more sustainable products that are consumed by billions of people across the world. Our vision is to be our customers' most valued partner, creating a world of sustainable nutrition. A career with Kerry offers you an opportunity to shape the future of food while providing you opportunities to explore and grow in a truly global environment.

About Kerry

Kerry is the world's leading taste and nutrition company for the food, beverage and pharmaceutical industries. Every day we partner with customers to create healthier, tastier and more sustainable products that are consumed by billions of people across the world. Our vision is to be our customers' most valued partner, creating a world of sustainable nutrition. A career with Kerry offers you an opportunity to shape the future of food while providing you opportunities to explore and grow in a truly global environment.

About The Role

The Senior Manager of Research, Development and Application (RD&A) reports to the RD&A Beverage/Taste Director Clark (or VP, RD&A Beverage) and is tasked with managing aspects of the PD&A teams to deliver projects in a timely fashion. Interaction with customers is required to deliver new product development, drive product innovation, commercializing products, while internally assisting with cost savings initiatives and improving existing products. She/he provides technical expertise across the various functions.

Key responsibilities

• Co-lead and Develop the Clark Beverage Product Development & Applications (PD&A) Team to deliver assigned projects. Responsible for talent management, development programs and participate in goal setting and performance appraisals.
• Coordinates with internal resources (Marketing, Business Development, Sales, Operations, QA, Purchasing, Supply chain) with product development teams to project completion on time and within budget
• Leads the innovation process, as well as the RD&A cost savings initiatives from concept to commercialization resulting in products that meet/exceed consumer expectations across taste, nutrition, performance and financial hurdles.
• Assists customers and Kerry’s Technical Services in the scale up of R&D developments to ensure a successful product launch / commercialization.
• Providing strong project management expertise to ensure RD&A projects are resourced and prioritized effectively.
• Manages outside resources (suppliers, consultants, development partners, etc.) to achieve product development objectives.
• Maintains good record keeping to support legal resources to manage trade secrets and Kerry’s intellectual property strategy and infringement/defense strategy and execution.
• Works closely with QA and Regulatory to provide current product and regulatory technical expertise and information to manage risk and drive innovation. Ensure all formulas comply with appropriate domestic and international regulatory requirements.
• Works closely with QA and Sensory to manage product testing elements including shelf life, consumer testing, analytical testing, NFP’s, etc.
• Provides general technical support for other departments including research, problem solving, identification of experts, response to inquiries, and technical summaries.

Qualifications And Skills

• BS in Quality, Food Science, Safety, Environmental or related
• MS/ PhD in Food Science preferred
• Applicable food processing technology expertise and statistical process experience.
• Strong background in food chemistry, sensory, microbiology, food packaging systems and food engineering.
• Ability to drive continuous improvement and change management initiatives.
• 5+ years experience in the industry with 3+ years in a supervisory role.

The pay range for this position is $146,800 - $232,450 in Annual Salary. Kerry typically does not hire an individual at the top or near the top of the range, as we are a pay-for-performance company, and this range is set to continue to reward performance annually while in role. Compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case. The specific compensation offered to a candidate within the above range may be influenced by a variety of factors including skills, qualifications, experience, and internal equity. In addition, this position is also eligible to earn a performance-based incentive compensation. Kerry offers a competitive benefits package, including medical, dental, vision, paid time off, a 401(k) plan with employee and company contribution opportunities, Employee Share Plan, Life, disability, and accident insurance, and tuition reimbursement.

This job posting is anticipated to expire on 9/1/26