R&D Manager

About the role

The R&D Manager is responsible for leading and coordinating product development projects from concept through commercialization. This role focuses on project planning, prioritization, cross-functional collaboration, and ensuring projects are completed on time and meet business and customer requirements. Working closely with Sales, Marketing, Manufacturing, Purchasing, Quality, and Production Planning, the R&D Manager ensures customer samples, product launches, and first production runs are organized and executed successfully. This position also provides technical guidance to the R&D team, supports continuous improvement initiatives, and maintains consistent project documentation and processes.

Responsibilities

• Manage the R&D project pipeline for customer samples and new product development, ensuring priorities, timelines, resources, and deliverables are clearly defined.
• Coordinate first production run planning meetings with Food Scientists and cross-functional teams to ensure equipment, ingredients, labor, and documentation are prepared.
• Collaborate with Quality, Production Planning, Sales, and Marketing to maintain project alignment and meet customer expectations.
• Assign project responsibilities to Food Scientists and Technicians based on priorities and workload.
• Participate in customer, supplier, and internal meetings as needed.
• Assist with troubleshooting during scale-up and first production runs to ensure successful product transfer from laboratory development to manufacturing.
• Review product specifications and technical documentation for accuracy and completeness.
• Support sensory evaluations, product testing, shelf-life studies, and post-production assessments.
• Develop and maintain standardized project management processes, templates, reporting tools, and documentation systems.
• Ensure product specifications, shelf-life studies, analytical testing, and supporting technical records are completed and properly maintained.
• Maintain organized records of formulas, specifications, supplier documentation, laboratory results, and project files.
• Coordinate customer samples, project schedules, and customer-facing technical documentation as needed.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Food Science or a related field preferred.
• 3–7 years of experience in food manufacturing, product development, or technical project management.
• Experience managing multiple projects and coordinating cross-functional teams.
• Knowledge of food formulations, ingredient functionality, and commercialization.
• Experience with product scale-ups and first production runs; bakery experience is a plus.
• Strong organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and project management tools.

Benefits

• Competitive pay and performance bonuses
• 401(k) with company match
• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• Company-paid life insurance and EAP support
• Generous PTO and career growth opportunities

Pay

$90,000–$115,000

Schedule

Full-time