Director of Research & Development

Role Summary
This position oversees research and development activities related to food ingredients, formulations, and product innovations. It involves leading new product development, process optimization, and quality assurance initiatives to enhance product quality, innovation, and efficiency. The role requires a strong foundation in food science, leadership capabilities, and cross-functional collaboration to support the company’s growth and quality standards.

Responsibilities

• Conduct research on new ingredients and food products, including sauces, marinades, glazes, batters, and breadings.
• Develop and refine product formulations to improve quality, flavor, texture, nutritional value, and cost-effectiveness.
• Perform physical, chemical, and sensory analyses on ingredients and finished products.
• Create product, process, and packaging specifications aligned with quality and safety standards.
• Study and implement methods to enhance food qualities such as flavor, color, and microbiological safety.
• Test new product concepts in laboratory settings and develop processing methods in pilot plant environments.
• Oversee product scale-up, pilot production, and new product commissioning.
• Set operational process conditions and FSQA (Food Safety & Quality Assurance) parameters for manufacturing.
• Analyze operational data to refine product and process specifications.
• Lead raw material qualification processes, including research and approval of new packaging materials and raw ingredients.
• Manage the R&D laboratory and team to support prototype development and inter-departmental projects.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in Food Science, Food Technology, or a related field.
• Proven experience in food product development, formulation, and process optimization.
• Strong knowledge of food processing, packaging, and quality assurance principles.
• Leadership experience managing research and development teams or laboratory staff.
• Excellent problem-solving, communication, and teamwork skills.
• Ability to interpret laboratory and operational data to inform decision-making.
• Familiarity with scale-up processes from lab to production.
• Professionalism, strong business acumen, and the ability to work under pressure.
• Must be legally authorized to work in the United States.

Publishing Pay Range: $125,000.00 - $150,000.00 annually
This position is based in office and requires employee to work on-site.