R&D Manager / Director of R&D Candidate

SEEKING A ROLE AS: R&D Manager/Director, Technical Product Development Manager

PROFILE: R&D and Technical Product Development leader with extensive global experience across pet food, meat processing, and CPG food products. Brings deep expertise in formulation, ingredient functionality, thermal processing, commercialization, and regulatory compliance. Skilled at leading cross-functional teams, optimizing manufacturing processes, managing co-manufacturers worldwide, and accelerating concept-to-launch timelines. Proven success driving multimillion-dollar innovation pipelines, improving product performance, and delivering customer-aligned solutions. This candidate has the ability to bridge science, operations, and commercial strategy to deliver high-value, scalable products.

IN LOCATION: Currently in the greater Orlando, FL area and is willing to relocate and travel as needed.

SKILLS & ACHIEVEMENTS:
• 15+ years of global R&D leadership across pet food, meat systems, and CPG food products (wet, dry, treats, gravies, sauces, retort, frozen).
• Directed large-scale ingredient innovation portfolios, including hydrocolloids, modified starches, natural colors, probiotics, insect proteins, and functional bioactives.
• Led commercialization and scale-up initiatives across multiple continents, managing co-manufacturers, OEM partners, and plant start-ups.
• Improved time-to-market by 20% by implementing structured innovation processes and stage-gate methodology.
• Secured new sales pipelines—including $5M+ product wins—through customer-facing development, trials, and technical service excellence.
• Achieved SQF qualifications, enhanced regulatory compliance, and aligned formulations with FDA, AAFCO, FEDIAF, MARA, and other global regulatory systems.
• Multilingual collaborator (English, Spanish, Portuguese) with strong analytical skills and experience leading teams in nutrition, formulation, sensory, QA, operations, and procurement.

EDUCATION & TRAINING: PhD in Food Science and Technology.

Advanced training in HACCP, Lean Six Sigma, thermal processing, food safety systems, global regulatory compliance, and ongoing PCQI and SQF Practitioner development.

COMPENSATION: Base salary expectation in the $140,000–$170,000 range depending on cost of living and incentive structure.

If you are interested in speaking with this R&D and Product Development Leader who can drive innovation, accelerate commercialization, and deliver best-in-class products, then contact..…
Contact:
Stephanie Savage
stephanies@kinsa.com
Worksite Preference:Open
Employment Preference:Permanent