Senior Product Manager

R&D Manager - Food

Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin (Commutable from Whitewater, Edgerton, Janesville, Madison, Elkhorn, Juneau, Beloit, Waukesha, Milwaukee)

$110K - $135K + Bonus + PTO + National Holidays + Company Laptop + Medical + Dental + Vision + Life Insurance + 401k + Other Excellent Benefits

Are you an R&D professional with a strong background in food and packaging, looking to step into a high-impact Manager role where you can lead innovative projects and collaborate across departments?

Are you looking to join a market leader in a rapid growth phase with a portfolio of food products, committed to investing in cutting-edge machinery, exciting new product development, and the growth of its people?

This industry-leading food manufacturer is known for its wide range of high-quality products and sustained success. They are now seeking an R&D Manager to lead innovation, develop new products, improve existing formulations, and drive technical excellence within their core operations.

This newly created position offers the chance to lead R&D initiatives at a key manufacturing site, working cross-functionally with Marketing, Sales, Operations, and Supply Chain. You'll be responsible for driving innovation from concept to launch, ensuring all products meet USDA, FDA, and other regulatory requirements, while playing a vital role in bringing new products successfully to market.

This role would suit an R&D Manager from a food background, eager to step into a leadership role and contribute significantly to innovation and product excellence.

The Role:

• Manage formulation and development of new products through commercialization at a core production site.
• Lead testing, scale-up, and ensure compliance with USDA/FDA standards
• Drive strategy using market, consumer, and performance insights.

The Candidate:

• Previous product management experience.
• Degree in food science, business management, or related field.

• Strong knowledge of food safety and CPG regulations.

To apply for this role or to be considered for further roles, please click "Apply Now" or contact Oliver George at Rise Technical Recruitment.

Rise Technical Recruitment Ltd acts an employment agency for permanent roles and an employment business for temporary roles.

The salary advertised is the bracket available for this position. The actual salary paid will be dependent on your level of experience, qualifications and skill set. We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitable candidates.

Research & Development Leadership, Innovation Strategy, Cross-functional Leadership, Team Development, Mentorship, Strategic Roadmap, New Product Development (NPD), Product Innovation, Reformulation, Product Optimization, Clean Label Development, Sensory Evaluation, Shelf-life Studies, Food Chemistry, Food Technology, Process Development, Scale-up from Pilot to Production, Manufacturing Process Optimization, Continuous Improvement, Cost Reduction Initiatives, Regulatory Compliance, FDA, USDA, CFIA, EFSA, Food Safety, HACCP, FSMA, SQF, BRC, Quality Assurance, Quality Control, Market Trend Analysis, Customer Collaboration,