R&D Manager, Portfolio Transformation

Simple Mills is on a mission to transform the way food is made, creating nourishing products with astounding ingredients and amazing taste. Founded in 2012 by Katlin Smith, our brand has redefined center-aisle grocery by delivering better-for-you products made with unique, nutrient-dense ingredients. Today, we’re a category leader and the #1 natural brand in multiple segments, with distribution in over 30,000 stores nationwide.

Our work has been recognized by Fast Company as a Brand That Matters and a Most Innovative Company, and has been featured in Vogue, Forbes, Women’s Health
, and NPR’s How I Built This
. In 2024,
Inc. named us one of its Best Workplaces, reflecting our dedication to fostering an inspiring and inclusive environment where passionate individuals can make a difference.

The R&D Manager, Portfolio Transformation will play a critical leadership role in Chicago, driving technical strategy and execution across renovation, productivity, and commercialization initiatives. This role will lead cross-functional product transformation work, translate business priorities into clear technical plans, and guide formulation decisions that strengthen product quality, operational feasibility, cost performance, and brand integrity.

The position will report to the Sr. Director of R&D, Portfolio Transformation and responsibilities will include:

• Execute portfolio transformation strategy, including alternate ingredient evaluation and approval, capacity expansion commercialization and production support.
• Create and prepare technical documentation, ensure data integrity, and deliver decision-ready reporting.
• Lead and execute onsite plant trials, ingredient screening, sensory evaluation, and experimental design with technical rigor.
• Resolve formulation and ingredient challenges by diagnosing root causes, aligning options, and escalating risks.

• Manage resources, priorities, and capacity to deliver project goals, timelines, and business commitments.
• Build trust, clarity, and accountability across contributors, cross-functional partners, and external collaborators.
• Coach and develop team capability through clear feedback, technical guidance, and strong decision-making.
• Champion a culture that balances speed, rigor, learning, accountability, and collaborative problem-solving.

• Own renovation, productivity, and commercialization projects from concept through launch with clear governance.
• Align Marketing, Operations, Quality, Procurement, Finance and suppliers around executable technical plans.
• Anticipate risks, tradeoffs, resource needs, and decisions to keep projects moving efficiently.

• Steward the Simple Mills mission through product decisions that advance quality, integrity, and trust.
• Improve ways of working that increase efficiency, strengthen partnership, and scale R&D execution.
• Use consumer, category, cost, and manufacturing insights to prioritize high-impact opportunities.
• Balance quality, ingredient standards, feasibility, timing, and financial goals in technical decisions.
• Performs other projects as assigned

• Minimum 8 years in R&D in the Food Industry
• Bachelor’s degree in Food Science or a related technical field.
• Experience in Bakery formulation preferred
• Strong data interpretation, sensory evaluation and problem-solving skills
• Knowledge of natural ingredients, clean-label formulation and certifications (Non-GMO Project Verified, GFCO, Organic, Non-UPF Verified)
• Strong organizational and multitasking skills
• The ability to travel up to 30% to support project work, supplier engagement, manufacturing trials, and cross-functional collaboration.
• Collaborative mindset and strong interpersonal communication skills.
• Fami…