R&D Formulation Manager

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Country:
United States
City:
Nampa
Job Family:
Research / Development / Innovation
Contract Type:
Unlimited-term
Job

The Research and Development (R&D) Food Formulation Manager will lead a team of food scientists to drive product innovation, process optimization, and market-ready solutions. This role balances hands-on technical expertise with managerial responsibilities, ensuring the seamless execution of new product development, recipe improvements, packaging innovations, and commercialization processes. The manager will function as a pivotal collaborator across R&D, manufacturing, marketing, and operations teams to deliver against business objectives while fostering an innovative research culture.

• Team Leadership and Development (30%)
• Lead, mentor, and manage a team of R&D food scientists to achieve project goals while promoting collaboration and professional growth.
• Assign projects, provide technical guidance, and assess team performance to ensure alignment with business priorities.

• Recipe and Product Development (20%)
• Oversee the development of innovative food products from concept to commercialization, ensuring compliance with safety, nutritional, and sensory requirements.
• Support the refinement of product formulations for quality improvement, cost reduction, and customer satisfaction.

• Strategic Project Oversight (20%)
• Manage key R&D projects, ensuring deadlines, budgets, and quality standards are met.
• Develop project timelines and communicate progress with cross-functional teams, providing solutions to overcome technical or operational challenges.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration (20%)
• Liaise with marketing, quality assurance, packaging, and supply chain teams to align R&D projects with market and organizational strategies.
• Partner with production teams to ensure smooth scale-up from lab to full-scale manufacturing.

• Innovation Pipeline and Process Improvement (10%)
• Drive processing innovations, incorporate sustainable materials, and improve production efficiencies.
• Stay informed of emerging trends, technologies, and regulatory standards within the food science industry to ensure cutting-edge product development.

• Education:
  
  A Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Food Science, Food Engineering, or a related field. A Ph.D. is a plus!
• Experience:
  
  Minimum 10 years of experience in food product development, with at least 3 years in a managerial or team-lead capacity.
• Expertise:
  Expertise in food formulation, ingredient functionality, and manufacturing processes. Strong experience with regulatory compliance (domestic and international).
• Management:
  Proven ability to manage and inspire teams, delegate responsibilities, and optimize productivity.

• Leadership and Team Building:
  Demonstrates the ability to mentor and motivate a team of R&D professionals. Build a collaborative and innovative culture by addressing challenges and maintaining engagement.
• Technical Expertise in Food Science:
  Apply deep technical knowledge of food ingredients, recipe development, and processing systems to troubleshoot formulations and achieve desired product outcomes.
• Project Management:
  Effectively organize and prioritize multiple projects. Use tools like Gantt charts or software (e.g., Microsoft Project) to maintain timelines and communicate milestones.
• Problem-Solving & Innovation:
  Resolve technical and operational challenges using analytical thinking and creative solutions, particularly in scaling experimental recipes to mass production.
• Communication and
  
  Collaboration:
  
  Communicate effectively with internal and external stakeholders, translating technical food science concepts into actionable insights or business strategies.

• Environment:
  This role is onsite located in our Nampa manufacturing facility.
• Travel:
  Periodic travel may be required for plant trials, supplier engagements, or industry conferences. Up to 20% business travel may be required.
• Physical Demands:
  Activities may include standing for extended periods, lifting ingredients or materials up to 25 pounds, and handling…