R&D Application Manager

Kinsa is recruiting for an: R&D Manager

Location: Central Illinois

A growing food manufacturer is seeking an R&D Manager to lead new and existing product development, ingredient selection, process development, and commercialization initiatives. This role will work directly with customers and cross-functional teams to translate product expectations into successful launches while providing technical leadership across formulation, plant trials, sensory evaluation, and continuous improvement.

Compensation/Benefits:

• $130-150k base salary
• Performance-based bonus 
• Excellent healthcare
• 401(k) with match
• Paid holidays and PTO
• Relocation assistance

Key Responsibilities and Goals:

• Lead customer communication to understand product expectations, attributes, and launch timelines.
• Manage product development projects from early-stage innovation through formulation, plant trials, commercialization, and post-launch review.
• Develop and formulate products to achieve targeted taste, texture, nutritional, quality, and cost objectives.
• Lead plant trials and partner cross-functionally to ensure project milestones and successful product launches are achieved.
• Evaluate and approve new ingredients while balancing ingredient functionality, product performance, customer requirements, and food safety standards.
• Conduct sensory evaluations, competitive product assessments, shelf-life testing, and analysis of production samples.
• Provide technical leadership to the R&D team while managing multiple development projects and supporting continuous improvement initiatives.

Competencies Needed for Success:

• 7+ years of product development or R&D experience within food manufacturing.
• Strong customer-facing experience with the ability to translate customer needs into successful product development and commercialization.
• Demonstrated experience with food formulation, ingredient functionality, process development, plant trials, and commercialization.
• Strong leadership and project management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Experience with sensory evaluation, nutritional analysis, food safety standards, and product quality.
• Knowledge of culinary techniques, food costing, and nutrition software is advantageous.

Referrals are our best source for the top talent our clients need, so if you know someone with these skills in the food and beverage industry, please pass along their name and contact information or share this opportunity with them. Kinsa pays referral bonuses when a referral is hired by our client!

Recruiter Information:
Stephanie Savage
stephanies@kinsa.com