Research And Development Manager
extensionMadison (WI)
About the role
The Sr. Manager of R&D will lead product development and commercialization efforts, taking new products from concept through full-scale production. This is a high-impact role driven by rapid business growth, requiring strong cross-functional leadership and the ability to execute in a fast-paced environment.
About the Role:
The Sr., Manager of R&D & Commercialization will lead product development and commercialization efforts, taking new products from concept through full-scale production.
Responsibilities:
Lead end-to-end commercialization from concept to launch
Oversee trials, scale-up, and production readiness
Ensure products are manufacturable, scalable, and cost-effective
Act as the bridge between R&D, operations, quality, and commercial teams
Align product specs, cost targets, and timelines
Analyze production data and troubleshoot product/process issues
Improve formulations, yields, and efficiency
Develop project plans, risk assessments, and documentation
Support costing and feasibility analysis
Qualifications:
Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Engineering, Chemistry, or related
3–5+ years of R&D experience in food manufacturing (required)
3–5+ years of leadership or project leadership experience
Strong knowledge of formulation, scale-up, and commercialization
Experience working cross-functionally in manufacturing environments
Required Skills:
Strong technical R&D leader with commercialization experience
Thrives in fast-paced, high-growth environments
Hands-on with trials and production support
Gritty, problem-solving mindset with strong ownership
Before you apply
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