Job Title: R&D ManagerJob Description
We are seeking an experienced R&D Manager to lead the development of innovative food products from concept to commercialization. This role requires strategic collaboration across multiple departments to ensure alignment with business goals and regulatory compliance, while fostering a culture of innovation and technical excellence.
Responsibilities
Lead the end-to-end development of new food products, from ideation and prototyping to pilot testing and scale-up.
Collaborate with marketing to translate consumer insights into viable product concepts.
Evaluate new ingredients, technologies, and processes to enhance product quality and shelf life.
Partner with marketing, procurement, quality assurance, and operations to align product development with business goals.
Coordinate with regulatory and compliance teams to ensure all products meet food safety and labeling standards.
Oversee the transition of products from lab-scale to full-scale manufacturing.
Optimize formulations and processes for cost, efficiency, and scalability.
Support plant trials and troubleshoot production issues during launch.
Manage a team of food scientists and technologists, overseeing project timelines, resource allocation, and milestone delivery.
Foster a culture of innovation, continuous improvement, and technical excellence.
Essential Skills
Bachelor's or Master's degree in Food Science, Food Engineering, or related field.
5+ years of experience in food product development, with at least 2 years in a leadership role.
Proven track record of launching successful food products from concept to market.
Strong knowledge of food safety regulations (e.g., FDA, USDA, HACCP, SQF).
Experience with pilot plant operations and manufacturing scale-up.
Excellent communication, leadership, and project management skills.
Additional Skills & Qualifications
Experience in consumer packaged goods (CPG) or specialty food manufacturing.
Familiarity with sensory evaluation, shelf-life testing, and nutritional labeling.
Proficiency in formulation software and data analysis tools.
Work Environment
The position involves working in a lab, kitchen, pilot plant, and manufacturing environments, requiring adaptability and technical proficiency in each setting.
Pay and Benefits
The pay range for this position is $120000.00 - $150000.00/yr.
Health & Wellness
Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insuranceHealth Savings Account (HSA) and Flexible Spending Account (FSA) optionsEmployee Assistance Program (EAP) for mental health and personal supportWellness incentives and virtual health resourcesFinancial Security
401(k) retirement plan with company matchLife and AD&D insurance (basic and voluntary)Short-Term and Long-Term Disability coverageOptional critical illness, accident, and hospital indemnity insuranceWork-Life Balance
Paid Time Off (PTO) including vacation, sick leave, and holidaysPaid parental leaveFlexible work arrangements (remote/hybrid options where applicable)Volunteer time off and community engagement programsProfessional Growth
Tuition reimbursement and continuing education supportAccess to online learning platforms and certificationsCareer development programs and mentorship opportunitiesAdditional Perks
Employee discount programs through partners like AbenityCommuter benefits and transportation subsidiesLegal and identity theft protection plansCompany-sponsored events and recognition programs
Workplace Type
This is a fully onsite position in Steeleville,IL.
Application Deadline
This position is anticipated to close on Jun 27, 2025.
About Actalent
Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 30,000 consultants and more than 4,500 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500.
The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.
If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing due to a disability, please email actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com (%20actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com) for other accommodation options.
