Research & Development Manager

Job Overview The Manager Research & Development (Core) leads a team responsible for all product development within the Core R&D portfolio, including front-end innovation, commercialization, product optimization, and technical support across High Liner Foods' product portfolio. This role provides day-to-day leadership for the R&D team and project portfolio, ensuring resources are effectively prioritized and projects are delivered in alignment with customer needs, business objectives, technical requirements, and commercialization timelines. Essential Duties and responsibilities Lead, coach, and develop a team of R&D professionals while setting priorities, assigning work, and ensuring accountability for project results. Manage the Core R&D project portfolio, prioritizing resources based on business value, customer timelines, technical complexity, risk, and team capacity. Lead front-end innovation and product-development activities, including opportunity identification, ideation, concept development, technical feasibility, and pipeline advancement. Translate customer needs, consumer insights, culinary trends, and business priorities into actionable product, technology, and commercialization plans. Oversee product development and optimization through stage-gate processes, including formulation, benchtop testing, sensory evaluations, customer samples, specifications, shelf‑life studies, and validation. Partner with Sales, Marketing, Operations, Engineering, Quality Assurance, Regulatory, Procurement, Supply Chain, suppliers, and customers to deliver successful product launches. Lead product scale-up and commercialization through line testing, first production, launch, and post‑commercialization review. Serve as an escalation point for complex product, process, ingredient, manufacturing, quality, sensory, and shelf‑life challenges, using scientific and root‑cause problem‑solving methods. Evaluate ingredient substitutions, supplier changes, formula modifications, process improvements, quality enhancements, yield opportunities, and cost‑saving initiatives. Identify and advance new ingredients, technologies, processing methods, equipment, tools, procedures, and best practices that improve product quality, manufacturing performance, R&D efficiency, and speed to market. Qualifications Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Food Engineering, Culinary Science, or a related technical discipline required. Minimum of 6 years of progressive experience in food R&D, product development, process development, or food manufacturing. Minimum of 2 years of direct people‑management experience. Demonstrated experience leading and developing technical professionals. Proven experience developing and commercializing food products from concept through scale‑up, first production, and launch. Experience managing multiple product‑development projects, plant trials, technical investigations, and cross‑functional teams. Experience working within a stage‑gate or structured product‑development process. Strong technical judgment with the ability to balance customer and consumer expectations with product quality, food safety, cost, yield, manufacturing capability, and business objectives. Seafood, frozen food, value‑added protein, coatings, sauces, formed products, or fully cooked product experience is strongly preferred. Culinary training and knowledge of sensory‑evaluation methodologies are assets. Strong project‑management, problem‑solving, decision‑making, organizational, and communication skills. Ability to manage multiple priorities and deliver results in a fast‑paced environment. Proficient in Microsoft Office and applicable product‑development, specification, project‑management, and documentation systems. Current employees please note: this position is referral bonus eligible! See our policy for more details. What's in it for you? Join High Liner Foods for a career where you shape your path, backed by great benefits, flexible work, and a culture of diversity, innovation, and sustainability. Immerse yourself in opportunities to make a real impact and grow with us in our mission to nourish lives. Start your adventure where endless possibilities to thrive together await. Competitive Salary Heath, dental & vision coverage Pay for performance incentives Employee & Family assistance programs Wellness Programs Retirement Planning Supplemental Parental Leaves Disability Support Family friendly Flex policies & Summer hours Volunteer hours Learning and mentorship opportunities Safety focused work environment About High Liner Foods Founded in 1899 in Lunenburg, Nova Scotia, High Liner Foods has grown from a small salt fish company into a leading North American processor and marketer of value‑added frozen seafood. Our trusted brands - including High Liner, Fisher Boy, Mirabel, Sea Cuisine, C.Wirthy & Co, Mrs. Paul's, Van de Kamp's, and Icelandic Seafood - are enjoyed by families, restaurants, and institutions across Canada and the United States. Guided by our purpose of Reimagining Seafood to Nourish Life, we combine over a century of expertise with innovation, consumer insight, and responsible practices to deliver high‑quality seafood people can trust. At High Liner Foods, we are a people‑first organization. We invest in our employees through development opportunities, collaborative teamwork, and a culture where safety, well‑being, and growth are priorities. Whether in our offices, plants, or distribution teams, our people work together to deliver excellence and drive the future of seafood. Our Values Serve with Purpose We put our customers and consumers at the heart of everything we do, creating quality products that help to nourish lives and foster connections that go beyond the plate. Do the Right Thing We lead with integrity, act responsibly, and make choices that support our people, our partners, and our planet. Innovate & Reimagine We challenge the norm, embrace fresh ideas, and turn innovation into impact. All Hands on Deck Powered by people and driven by purpose, we lead with courage, hold one another accountable, and celebrate as a team. Ready to make waves with us? Join High Liner Foods and help shape the future of seafood. To learn more please visit our Career/LinkedIn/Indeed page #HLSJ Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor. #J-18808-Ljbffr