Position Title: R&D Manager – Food
Manufacturing
Location: Phoenix, AZ (Onsite)
Summary:
A growing, high-quality food manufacturing organization is seekingan experienced R&D Manager to lead new product development andcommercialization from concept through production. This role provides criticaltechnical leadership in food science, formulation, process development, andplant scale-up while driving continuous improvement across existing productlines. Essential Duties and Responsibilities include but are not limitedto: Leadfull-lifecycle product development, pilot trials, plant trials, andcommercial launches. Develop andoptimize formulations based on customer specifications, regulatoryguidelines, and operational requirements. Apply advancedfood science principles to enhance product quality, shelf life, ingredientfunctionality, and manufacturing performance. Establish detailedproduct specifications, processing procedures, and raw material standards. Oversee productevaluations, shelf-life studies, and process validation testing. Deliver experttechnical support to Operations, Quality, Regulatory, and Sales teams. Ensure strictcompliance with FDA, HACCP, GMP, SQF, BRC, and food labeling requirements. Evaluate newingredients, suppliers, and emerging food processing technologies. Lead, mentor, andguide R&D team members while managing multiple high-prioritydevelopment projects simultaneously.
Qualifications:
Bachelor's degreein Food Science, Biology, Chemistry, or a related scientific discipline.5+ years ofhands-on food product development and commercialization experience in amanufacturing environment. Proven trackrecord with plant trials, commercial scale-up, process validation, andfood production.
Strong workingknowledge of ingredient functionality, food chemistry, thermal processing, pH, emulsions, and shelf-life stability.
Deep understandingof FDA, HACCP, GMP, BRC, and food labeling regulations.
Demonstratedleadership, project management, analytical, and cross-functionalcommunication skills.
Preferred:
Master's degree inFood Science, Chemistry, or a related field. Prior experiencemanaging and mentoring direct reports within an R&D laboratory orplant environment.
