R&D Manager

About the role

Join a team in the pharmaceutical manufacturing and healthcare products industry where hands-on experimentation meets early leadership. Shape projects, mentor talent, and push the boundaries of product and process innovation. This position is ideal for a hands-on chemist with strong technical expertise who is ready to step into a leadership role. The role blends conducting experiments with guiding a small team, driving innovation in product development or process improvement, while maintaining a strong focus on quality, compliance, and scientific excellence. Location: Columbus, Indiana.

Responsibilities

• Lead R&D projects from idea to implementation.
• Supervise and mentor chemists or lab technicians.
• Design experiments, analyze results, and draw conclusions.
• Develop new formulations, materials, or processes aligned with business goals.
• Troubleshoot and optimize existing products or processes.
• Maintain accurate lab documentation; ensure safety and regulatory compliance.
• Collaborate with production, quality, and regulatory teams.
• Present findings and recommendations to leadership or clients.
• Prioritize projects based on business needs, feasibility, and resources.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s in Chemistry or related field.
• 5+ years hands-on chemistry experience in industrial, manufacturing, or research settings.
• 1–2 years leadership experience (team lead, project lead, etc.).
• Strong knowledge of lab practices, experimental design, and data analysis.
• Excellent problem-solving and critical-thinking skills.
• Strong communication and interpersonal abilities.
• Experience in product development or formulation.
• Familiarity with regulatory and quality compliance standards.
• Experience managing multiple projects simultaneously.
• This job description is a complete list of all desired skills, but not all are required. We strongly encourage candidates who have some of the skills to apply. We look forward to a conversation to learn more about you!

Pay

Salary range: $90,000 – $100,000 annually.