R&D Manager in Clifton, New Jersey at Jimmy's Gourmet Bakery

The R&D Manager is responsible for leading and coordinating product development projects from concept through commercialization. This role focuses on project planning, prioritization, cross-functional collaboration, and ensuring projects are completed on time and meet business and customer requirements.

Working closely with Sales, Marketing, Manufacturing, Purchasing, Quality, and Production Planning, the R&D Manager ensures customer samples, product launches, and first production runs are organized and executed successfully. This position also provides technical guidance to the R&D team, supports continuous improvement initiatives, and maintains consistent project documentation and processes.

• Manage the R&D project pipeline for customer samples and new product development, ensuring priorities, timelines, resources, and deliverables are clearly defined.
• Coordinate first production run planning meetings with Food Scientists and cross-functional teams to ensure equipment, ingredients, labor, and documentation are prepared.
• Collaborate with Quality, Production Planning, Sales, and Marketing to maintain project alignment and meet customer expectations.
• Assign project responsibilities to Food Scientists and Technicians based on priorities and workload.
• Participate in customer, supplier, and internal meetings as needed.
• Assist with troubleshooting during scale-up and first production runs to ensure successful product transfer from laboratory development to manufacturing.
• Review product specifications and technical documentation for accuracy and completeness.
• Support sensory evaluations, product testing, shelf-life studies, and post-production assessments.
• Develop and maintain standardized project management processes, templates, reporting tools, and documentation systems.
• Ensure product specifications, shelf-life studies, analytical testing, and supporting technical records are completed and properly maintained.
• Maintain organized records of formulas, specifications, supplier documentation, laboratory results, and project files.
• Coordinate customer samples, project schedules, and customer-facing technical documentation as needed.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Food Science or a related field preferred.
• 3–7 years of experience in food manufacturing, product development, or technical project management.
• Experience managing multiple projects and coordinating cross-functional teams.
• Knowledge of food formulations, ingredient functionality, and commercialization.
• Experience with product scale-ups and first production runs; bakery experience is a plus.
• Strong organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and project management tools.

Our Commitment to You

At Jimmy's Gourmet Bakery, we believe our team's success starts with feeling valued and supported. That's why we offer:

• Competitive pay and performance bonuses
• 401(k) with company match
• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• Company-paid life insurance and EAP support
• Generous PTO and career growth opportunities

Join a team that values your contributions and well-being.