Job Description
Are you a passionate innovator with a deep curiosity for food science and a drive to take ideas from concept to commercialization? Our client in South Chicago is seeking a hands-on, strategic thinker to lead innovation at the intersection of R&D, manufacturing, and business growth. As our R&D Innovation Manager, you won’t just develop new products - you’ll shape the future of our brand.
Title : R&D Innovation Manager
Location : South Chicago, IL (60609)
Duration : 2-3 months (potential for contract-to-hire)
Rate : $43-45/hr.
Position Description :
The R&D Innovation Manager is responsible for leading and executing research and development initiatives that drive innovation, product development, and process improvement. This role manages the full project lifecycle, from ideation and feasibility, through commercialization, ensuring cross-functional collaboration, adherence to timelines, and alignment with strategic business objectives.
Primary Responsibilities:
Innovation Commercialization:
- Identifies emerging trends and technologies in the food and beverage industry.
- Tests and documents competitor, customer, and internal products to better understand where and how the organization can provide value to potential and existing customers (taste, texture, nutrition, quality, cost, yield, and convenience)
- Drives market-centric innovation to meet business portfolio strategy and growth objectives.
- Researches and incorporates new flavors, ingredients, and processes into new product ideas
- Plans, sets up, and leads product evaluations, including sensory testing and performance assessments, to gather feedback and guide product development decisions.
- Develops and implements training programs for new products run procedures, ensuring that both manufacturing managers and line personnel are equipped to replicate R&D processes at full production scale.
- Design and execute new product line test runs and first production runs with the operations team.
- Partners with Operations to write the new product processing or Work Instructions.
- Lead shelf-life testing and related product validation work
- Use data-driven methodologies to analyze performance, feasibility, and return on investment for innovation initiatives.
- Recommend products and processes by evaluating current ones, assist in implementing new or improved processes, process aids, systems, and technologies Innovation
Project Management:
- Lead end-to-end project management of R&D initiatives including concept development, prototyping, testing, scaleup, and launch.
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams (Marketing, Operations, Quality, Procurement, Finance) to ensure project alignment and successful execution on time and on budget.
- Creates Technical Data Sheets (TDS,) maintains updated versions in a shareable file That can be shared with customers.
- Supports strong Master Data Management - maintaining integrity through setup and change management processes for formulas, specifications, ingredients, process instructions, product detail, and technical data sheets.
- Initiates and follows through on required documentation in laboratory notebooks. Maintains an accurate record of work and activities such as project objectives, accurate formulas, conditions, required equipment, etc.
Product Lifecycle Management & Regulatory Compliance:
- Writes and maintains all new product processing and customer specifications, ensuring accuracy and compliance; manages the creation, revision, routing, etc.
- Create and ensure completeness of GS1 data standards, included but not limited to product specifications, item codes, UPC and barcode creation and compliance, and raw material to WIP stage through finished good labels
- Responsible for USDA Label approval & documentation
- Maintains up-to-date knowledge of USDA regulations and ensures all product development, including processing methods of labeling, complies with current regulatory standards.
- Ensure regulatory, safety, and quality standards are met throughout all phases of development.
- Supports Customer requests for product and technical information on questionnaires, RFPs, and audits
Business Development and Commercial Responsibilities:
- Continually expands industry knowledge and professional network by staying informed of emerging trends, technologies, and attending relevant conferences and expos.
- Provides technical leadership in the following: building customer and industry relationships, translating customer needs into innovative solutions, identifying opportunities beyond the primary area of focus, and assess potential value creation and optimization.
- Collaborates with sales and business development teams to thoroughly understand customer needs to execute business/customer development plans from a technical perspective.
- Advocate for customer satisfaction through internal and external training, tips, observations, feedback, insights, and data.
- Coordinate sending samples to customers and potential customers, ensuring a great first impression of our products.
Supervisory/Management Responsibilities:
Requirements :
- Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Engineering, Chemistry, or related scientific field
- 7+ years of experience in R&D, product development, or innovation project management in a manufacturing environment, preferably food or CPG.
- Proven track record managing cross-functional innovation or new product development (NPD) projects from concept through commercialization.
- Exceptional project management, organizational, and communication skills.
- Knowledge of regulatory and quality requirements (FDA, USDA, SQF, etc.)
- Basic knowledge of USDA label requirements
- Strong communication skills
- Strong working knowledge of office productivity software, collaborative project management tools (Teams, Sharepoint, etc)
Job Tags
Contract work, Work at office,