Manager, R&D

. Manage and develop a small R&D team, setting clear priorities and expectations .

Posted 4/21/2026full-timeRemote • 🇺🇸 United StatesMid-LevelSenior💰 $115,000 - $120,000 per yearWebsite

Key responsibilities & impact

Manage and develop a small R&D team, setting clear priorities and expectations
Provide coaching and support to help the team grow and take ownership of their work
Ensure projects are progressing with strong accountability
Lead commercialization efforts from bench to full-scale production
Own plant trials and scale-ups to ensure consistent, repeatable outcomes
Partner with manufacturing and procurement to meet targets for quality, cost, and scalability
Serve as a key R&D partner to co-manufacturers, supporting day-to-day production and troubleshooting
Work closely with manufacturing and FSQA to maintain product quality and consistency across plants
Identify and lead opportunities to improve yields, throughput, and reduce waste
Lead efforts to improve product quality, consistency, and performance across plants
Maintain clear documentation of formulations, trials, and process changes
Communicate clearly on project status, risks, and decisions

What you’ll need

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Food Science, Meat Science, or a related field
5 – 8+ years of experience in manufacturing support, commercialization, or process improvement within the food industry
Strong experience working in plant environments and supporting co-manufacturers
Strong understanding of food processing, formulation, and quality systems
Prior experience managing or mentoring others
Ability to lead projects end-to-end with limited direction
Strong problem-solving skills and ability to operate in a fast-paced environment
Ability to travel up to 50%

Comp & perks

ATS Keywords

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Hard Skills & Tools

food processingformulationquality systemsprocess improvementcommercializationplant trialsscale-upsdocumentationmanufacturing supportyield improvement

Soft Skills

coachingteam managementaccountabilitycommunicationproblem-solvingleadershipmentoringproject managementdecision makingadaptability

Certifications

Bachelor’s degreeMaster’s degree