Director of Technical Services

Technical Leader

A growing food manufacturing organization is seeking a hands-on technical leader to guide its product development and quality functions. This position is heavily focused on R&D, with responsibility for leading new products from early concept and formulation through trials, scale-up, commercialization, and ongoing improvement.

Southern Maine | $125,000 to $150,000 base plus up to 20% annual bonus

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the company's R&D strategy, product innovation, and technical priorities
• Manage the full product development lifecycle, from concept through successful commercialization
• Provide hands-on support with formulation, testing, production trials, troubleshooting, and scale-up
• Translate customer needs and market opportunities into commercially viable product solutions
• Partner closely with Sales, Marketing, Operations, and other internal teams
• Lead, mentor, and develop a small technical and quality support team
• Maintain effective quality systems and ensure compliance with applicable food safety and regulatory standards
• Serve as the organization's SQF practitioner and oversee the continued effectiveness of the SQF program
• Establish meaningful performance measures and promote continuous improvement

Ideal Background

• Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Nutrition, or a related discipline
• 10 or more years of progressive experience within food product development, R&D, or technical services
• Proven success developing and commercializing liquid food products
• Strong knowledge of formulation, manufacturing trials, scale-up, packaging, and processing equipment
• Working knowledge of food safety, quality systems, regulatory requirements, and SQF
• A collaborative, practical leadership style with the willingness to remain involved in the work
• Strong communication, problem-solving, and cross-functional partnership skills

This is primarily an onsite leadership position with limited work-from-home flexibility following the initial training period. Candidates should also be able to lift up to 40 pounds when supporting product trials or technical activities.