*THIS IS NOT A JOB WITH CONSUMER CONNECTION*
Our CPG client is seeking an R&D Manager to join their team in Fresno, CA. They are a rapidly growing company looking to elevate their research & development and business development department. This role will report to the BD Manager with a dotted line to the CEO.
Our ideal candidate can balance innovation and product development while being customer-facing, proactive, and hungry for growth and success.
Essential Functions and Duties:
Manages the R+D team and others on the team setting on and off the production floor.
- Manage scale-up and implementation processes of new and existing technologies to improve the performance of existing products and develop new products
- Serve as the technical resource for marketing to develop a robust pipeline of product development opportunities, which includes developing technical project plans and timelines for all assigned projects
- Assist the R&D team with planning and conducting plant trials.
- Analyze all document trial data, and present forward recommendations to upper management
- Review and revamp all existing products to find costing, formulation, and margin improvements
- Review and approve all ingredient and finished product specifications.
- Oversee procurement processes to close the gap between production and R&D needs.
- Support product formulation, including appropriate ingredient, nutritional, regulatory, and analytical requirements
- Prepare and approve Master Batch Records, Change Control Requests for all scale-up or production batches
- Solves complex problems; takes a new perspective using existing solutions
- Ensure necessary documentation is maintained to meet and substantiate product label compliance standards, nutritional adequacy statements, and advertising and promotional claims.
- Initiate and implement cost reduction ideas for assigned product lines
- Maintain awareness of technical and scientific development in the industry
- Continue education by attending expos and conferences and applying the knowledge gained
- Provide Technical support to Sales, Manufacturing, and Operations teams and monitor initial production batches for new and reformulated products.
Ideal Competencies:
- Advanced knowledge of food science, ingredients, and creating formulas.
- Knowledge of dehydration and how to obtain safe, quality foods using dehydration.
- Knowledge of designing and implementing plant trials. Ability to analyze data and summarize results. Present results in a clear, meaningful way to management.
- Ability to operate delicate equipment and perform tests accurately and precisely.
- Advanced knowledge of microbiology and food safety. Know and use GMPs, GLPs, and PPE.
- Advanced math skills: understanding and calculating percentages, ratios, etc.
- Communicate clearly, both written and verbally, with employees, management, and vendors.
- Able to comprehend written instructions and to follow verbal directions.
- Completes duties with little to no supervision. Follows through on assignments.
- Detail-oriented, accurate, and careful.
- Team player who fosters cooperation with floor personnel.
Experience and Education:
- Bachelor’s degree in food/animal nutrition or food/animal science (or a related field)
- Extensive knowledge of the scientific basis of animal nutrition
- Experience in food formula design
- Working knowledge of manufacturing processes and operations
- Ability to thrive in fast-paced environments with multiple demands and can demonstrate prioritization
- Ability to work independently
- Excellent verbal and communication skills, especially in external facing communications
- Ability to adapt quickly as the industry continues to evolve
- Self- Management and Self-Motivation
- Hands-on, this position will require floorwork and not being behind a desk 40+ hours a week.
Work Conditions: Work is performed in communal office space, on the production floor, and in the lab. Employees may be exposed to heat, cold, odors, loud noises, and chemicals. They may also be working on their feet for extended periods of time.
Full-time in Fresno, CA
No remote or hybrid work schedule