Director of R&D - Food Manufacturer | Chicago, IL

Director R&D Food Manufacturer Chicago, IL

Our client, a manufacturer and supplier of metal finishing services, primarily serves the aerospace, defense, and automotive industries. They work with several Fortune 500 companies including GM, Ford, Lockheed Martin, Caterpillar, as well as government agencies such as NASA. They are a smaller company with just under 100 employees total, but they have a 70,000 sq ft, state-of-the-art facility, and recently completed a massive expansion, doubling the size of the plant.

Job Description

• Develop and lead the R&D strategy aligned with company goals and market trends.
• Provide technical expertise throughout all phases of New Product Development (concept through commercialization).
• Lead ideation, formulation, testing, and scale-up of new items.
• Ensure all products comply with USDA, FDA, and other regulatory standards.
• Monitor food trends, consumer insights, and competitive products to identify innovation opportunities.
• Drive continuous improvement in product performance, packaging, and shelf stability.
• Oversee bench-top development through pilot plant testing and full-scale production.
• Partner with Manufacturing to improve existing formulations, reduce costs, and enhance processing methods without compromising quality.
• Provide leadership, coaching, and mentoring for the technical team.
• Work with Marketing to establish Innovation strategy and partner with operations for commercial execution against all new products.
• Investigate and implement cost reduction initiatives.
• Cross-functional collaboration with Marketing, Sales, Supply Chain, Finance, Operations.
• Perform annual performance appraisals for all direct reports and develop key personnel through coaching, training, and organizational development.
• Supervises, coaches, and develops direct reports to help them achieve department goals.
• Develop and control the capital and operating budget for the R&D department.
• Performs all other duties, responsibilities, and special projects as assigned.
• Expected travel to manufacturing locations on a regular basis.

Please apply below if your resume looks to fit in with the criteria. From there, Ben Aldrich from Michael Page will reach out in the next 48 hours if deemed a fit! MPI does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, marital status, or based on an individual's status in any group or class protected by applicable federal, state or local law. MPI encourages applications from minorities, women, the disabled, protected veterans and all other qualified applicants.

The Successful Applicant

Proven experience taking products from concept through commercialization in a USDA / FDA-regulated environment.

What's on Offer