Manager, R&D Bakery Manufacturing - San Antonio, TX

Responsibilities

Job Summary: Provide technical leadership to your R&D and cross-functional teams for multiple categories and projects and manage complex portfolios of projects. You'll coordinate with other department leaders to develop strategy and set functional policy and procedures for the Manufacturing Division, define and set priorities for cross-functional product development and launch execution teams, and provide mentoring and guidance to less experienced R&D, Quality Assurance, and Operations Partners.

Key Responsibilities & Essential Functions:
• Manages R&D Partners, including training and development, delivering on-time performance appraisals; provides feedback, coaching, and mentoring to ensure Partners can meet individual accountabilities and grow their careers
• Performs broad product development activities as assigned on a per project basis; collaborates with multiple teams and suppliers throughout project scope
• Maximizes supplier capabilities to develop the product portfolio throughout the full lifecycle of product development and design process
• Negotiates with suppliers and other external stakeholders to develop procurement contracts and ensure adherence to specifications and legal agreements
• Manages R&D budget through financial estimation and project feasibility analysis; works with plant management, Procurement, and Own Brands to ensure ROI goals are achieved
• Leads efforts to establish industry-leading specifications for Own Brand products with suppliers that reflect the essential quality parameters for customer delight, success
• Develops action plans with QA / Own Brand for products requiring quality improvements (maintenance); manages these projects to completion
• Leads product evaluations on behalf of the category team; collaborates with Customer Insights / Research Team on customer panel evaluations
• Participates in / contributes to all aspects of product design, including new idea generation, prototype development, competitive assessments, and technical / regulatory / food safety compliance
• Develops / leads / manages highly complex and strategic Own Brand and H-E-B programs / initiatives (e.g., Select Ingredients) to support company business goals
• Ensures designs and product objectives support merchant category plans, assortment strategies, price point, and overall creative direction
• Research / analyzes industry technology trends and consumer trends to advise H-E-B Partners, teams on how to bring the best solutions to customers and businesses
• Plays a key role in capital planning process; identifies future processing / packaging technologies required for new product categories; provides formula and processing financials for development of capital business requests
• Works with plant management, BDM, Own Brand to develop multi-year project plans; establishes annualized incremental profit goals

The responsibilities and essential functions outlined above describe the general nature and level of work assigned to this position. This is not an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, and skills required. Duties and responsibilities may be modified at any time based on business needs. Employees may be required to perform other job-related tasks as requested by their supervisor, subject to reasonable accommodations.

Qualifications & Key Requirements:

Work Experience:

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:

• Manages planning, staffing, and budget attainment. Responsible for hiring, firing, and performance/pay reviews. - Required
• Expert knowledge of HACCP, USDA, OSHA, FDA, Potentially Hazardous Foods, and state weight and measure requirements - Required
• Expert knowledge of the private label retail food business environment and metrics - Required
• Advanced working knowledge of industry, EEOC, and employment laws, and related compliance requirements - Required
• Expert knowledge of technology / consumer trends and how to identify / define key product quality and sensory attributes - Required
• Expert knowledge of product development, including manufacturing, packaging ingredients and nutrition - Required
• Technical knowledge of food production equipment - Required
• Expert understanding of consumer retail products, financial assessment, and capital planning - Required
• Expert verbal / written communication and presentation skills that translate on an international scale - Required
• Advanced mathematical / analytical skills - Required
• Advanced computer skills (including MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint) - Required
• Advanced negotiating / influencing skills - Required
• Advanced troubleshooting, problem-solving, and decision-making skills - Required
• Ability to effectively teach complex technical information to a non-technical audience - Required
• Ability to understand business objectives, and how technical solutions must fit within business realities - Required
• Ability to lead and motivate exempt and exempt Partners, one-on-one or in teams - Required
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines, and shift focus between projects; attention to detail - Required
• Ability to work in a team environment - Required
• Ability to work complex issues with senior management, and lead / influence internal and external stakeholders - Required
• Ability to make key decisions on a daily basis while seeking perspective and input - Required
• Ability to take initiative; willingness to take calculated risks and collaborate with key partners for alignment - Required

Education:

• Bachelor's Degree Relevant field of education and/or work experience leading successful projects and coaching/mentoring others in a facility/function or group - Required
• Master's Degree Relevant field of education and/or work experience leading successful projects and coaching/mentoring others in a facility/function or group - Required

Licenses/Certifications:

• Completion of H-E-B leadership programs where applicable. -

Physical Demands & Working Conditions:

• Function in a fast-paced, manufacturing environment
• Travel by car or plane with overnight stays, with some international travel
• Sit for extended periods
• Regularly lift 20 lbs or more
• Work extended hours

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those a Partner encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Last revised: 11/17/2025