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Director, R&D | Food Manufacturing

Naperville, Illinois Permanent USD190,000 - USD215,000 per year View Job Description
Take ownership of the entire innovation pipeline for a rapidly growing, category-disrupting food company, leading products from concept through commercialization while building and developing a high-performing R&D team. Reporting to an industry-veteran Chief R&D & Quality Officer, you'll have a clear path to broader leadership responsibility and the ability to directly influence the future growth of the business.
  • generous compensation, 10% bonus, PTO, and more!
  • Opportunity to join a growing food manufacturer with limited red tape

About Our Client

Our client is a growing food manufacturing company known for developing innovative consumer products and investing heavily in new product development, operational excellence, and market growth.

Job Description

Lead the product development pipeline from concept and feasibility through formulation, process development, scale-up, commercialization, and post-launch evaluation, leveraging efficient R&D methodologies to accelerate development and drive successful launches.

Develop and optimize products that align with business objectives, customer requirements, and market trends while balancing performance, quality, cost, and profitability goals.

Collaborate with cross-functional teams including Sales, Marketing, Operations, Supply Chain, and Quality to evaluate technical feasibility, manufacturing capabilities, and commercialization strategies.

Incorporate quality, food safety, and regulatory requirements into product design and development processes to ensure compliance and successful execution.

Partner with regulatory, legal, and quality teams to ensure products, specifications, and labeling meet all applicable industry and government standards.

Support continuous improvement initiatives by identifying opportunities to enhance product quality, optimize formulations, improve manufacturing efficiency, and reduce costs.

MPI does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, marital status, or based on an individual's status in any group or class protected by applicable federal, state or local law. MPI encourages applications from minorities, women, the disabled, protected veterans and all other qualified applicants.

The Successful Applicant



Qualifications



  • Proven leadership experience with a track record of building, developing, and mentoring high-performing teams.


  • Strong ability to collaborate across functions and effectively communicate with stakeholders at all levels of an organization.


  • Comfortable operating in fast-paced, evolving environments and making decisions with incomplete information.


  • Experience leading product development and commercialization initiatives within a manufacturing environment.


  • Demonstrated success managing projects on accelerated timelines while balancing quality, cost, and business objectives.


  • 10+ years of product development, R&D, innovation, or related technical leadership experience, including people management responsibilities.


  • Track record of bringing new products, processes, or technologies from concept through commercialization.


  • Working knowledge of applicable industry regulations, quality systems, and compliance requirements.


  • Advanced degree in a scientific, engineering, or related technical discipline preferred.


  • Experience supporting growth-oriented organizations and driving results through cross-functional collaboration.



Preferred Experience



  • Background in food, consumer products, manufacturing, or a related industry.


  • Experience developing products to meet specific performance, nutritional, quality, or customer requirements.


  • Exposure to structured product development methodologies, process improvement initiatives, and commercialization activities.


  • Familiarity with consumer insights, product testing, validation, or quality evaluation programs.


  • Experience utilizing product development, formulation, specification, or lifecycle management systems.


  • Broad understanding of regulatory, quality, and operational requirements related to product development and commercialization.

What's on Offer

  • Competitive salary range: $190,000 - $215,000 USD.
  • 10% bonus
  • PTO
  • Health, Dental, Vision
  • 401k and more!!
Contact
Trevor Wojcik
Quote job ref
JN-092026-7102447

Job summary

Sector
Engineering & Manufacturing
Sub Sector
Production, Manufacturing
Industry
Industrial / Manufacturing
Where
Naperville
Contract Type
Permanent
Consultant name
Trevor Wojcik
Job Reference
JN-092026-7102447
 

Michael Page is an inclusive employer. We want to make sure you have everything you need to perform at your best throughout our hiring process, so please let us know if there is anything we can do to support with your application or interview.