Job Description

Position: Director of Research & Development

Location: Tracy, CA

Salary: $130,000 – $150,000 annually

Overview:

Our client, a dynamic and rapidly growing food manufacturer, is seeking an innovative Director of Research and Development to drive the creation of cutting-edge food products and advance ingredient solutions for both branded and private label customers. This is a pivotal leadership role, perfect for someone passionate about healthy, trend-forward food innovation that stands out in the marketplace. In close collaboration with the Operations Quality Assurance and customers, the Director of R&D will ensure new product initiatives align with facility capabilities, regulatory standards, and safety requirements. The ideal candidate will also play a key strategic role in aligning product innovation with the company’s long-term vision—delivering distinctive, health-conscious offerings that meet evolving consumer tastes.

This position requires a balance of creativity, technical knowledge, and leadership, along with a strong grasp of food manufacturing operations and food safety best practices.

Key Responsibilities:

• Enhance Existing Products: Partner with cross-functional leaders to refine current offerings and continuously improve quality and production efficiency.
• Drive Innovation: Use trend analysis, brand goals, and in-house expertise to develop original product concepts that can be scaled within existing production capabilities.
• Lead Projects from Start to Finish: Oversee the full product development lifecycle—from concept ideation and benchtop testing to pilot runs and commercial production.
• Support Sales & Customer Engagement: Collaborate with sales teams and brokers to showcase how our client's ingredients can be used in customer products; assist with customization as needed.
• Product & Process Training: Train production staff on new product rollouts, emphasizing adherence to quality, customer specifications, and food safety protocols.
• Manage Budgets & Cost Modeling: Lead the R&D budgeting process, track expenditures, and work with the CEO and Production Scheduler to assess production cost scenarios for new items.
• Regulatory & Safety Compliance: Partner with QA and Operations to create compliant production plans that meet all food safety, health, and documentation standards (e.g., HACCP).
• Sourcing & Specifications: Create detailed ingredient specifications and collaborate with Procurement on sourcing high-quality inputs not made in-house.
• Flavor Development: Create bold, on-trend recipes using sun-dried fruits, tomatoes, olive oil, global spices, and more—delivering commercial-ready formulas that excite consumers and expand the company’s portfolio.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Food Science or a minimum of 5 years of R&D leadership experience in the food industry
• Deep understanding of food trends and consumer preferences
• Prior experience working with fruit-based ingredients, sauces, spices, or chutneys
• Proven leadership skills with a track record of motivating cross-functional teams
• Excellent communication and interpersonal abilities at all organizational levels
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• High attention to detail and quality

Compensation: 125,000-150,000 with relocation assistance available

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