Senior Manager R&D

**This is not a role with ForceBrands**

We are partnering with a fast-growing, innovative better-for-you snack brand to identify a Senior Manager, R&D who will lead product development and commercialization initiatives from concept through launch. This is a highly visible, hands-on opportunity for an entrepreneurial R&D professional who can establish the innovation strategy while personally driving formulation, plant trials, scale-up, commercialization, and continuous product improvement.

Location: New York City — Hybrid, two days per week in the office

Travel: Approximately 20%

Compensation: Up to $120,000 base salary plus a 15% bonus

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead the product innovation and renovation pipeline, including new products, flavors, formats, and product improvements

• Own the complete development process from initial concept and formulation through plant trials, scale-up, and commercial launch

• Partner with co-manufacturers, seasoning houses, suppliers, external laboratories, and consultants

• Coordinate manufacturing trials and resolve technical or production challenges during commercialization

• Identify opportunities for ingredient optimization, cost savings, shelf-life improvement, and alternative suppliers

• Ensure products meet quality, food-safety, labeling, allergen, claims, and regulatory requirements

• Collaborate closely with Marketing, Operations, Sales, Finance, Quality, and executive leadership

• Use consumer insights, competitive research, and category trends to help shape the innovation strategy

Ideal Background:

• 5+ years of progressive food CPG research and development or product-development experience

• Proven success taking food products from concept through commercial launch

• Experience working with co-manufacturers, suppliers, and contract manufacturing partners

• Salty-snack experience is highly preferred

• Strong hands-on formulation, plant-trial, scale-up, and commercialization experience

• Comfortable operating as the primary technical R&D resource within a lean organization

• Able to balance strategic innovation planning with tactical project execution

• Strong communication, project-management, and cross-functional leadership skills

This opportunity is ideal for someone who enjoys building, solving problems, and having meaningful ownership over an innovation pipeline within a growing entrepreneurial brand.

Interested candidates are encouraged to apply or message me directly for additional information.