Project R&D Manager in Affton, Missouri at irca Group

The Project R&D Manager – Chocolate & Creams is responsible for leading the development, reformulation, and industrialization of chocolate and cream-based products from concept to commercialization. This role plays a critical part in delivering innovation, ensuring product quality, optimizing processes, and supporting business growth through technical expertise and cross-functional project leadership.

• Lead R&D projects related to chocolate and creams, from initial concept through scale-up and commercial launch, ensuring alignment with strategic goals.
• Develop and reformulate products based on customer requirements, market trends, cost optimization, and regulatory compliance.
• Coordinate and execute pilot plant trials, lab experiments, and industrial validations, collaborating with production, quality, procurement, and marketing.
• Support innovation roadmap development by proposing new product ideas, technologies, and ingredients.
• Ensure product specifications, documentation, and technical data sheets are created and maintained accurately.
• Evaluate raw materials and ingredients, working with suppliers and procurement to ensure quality, availability, and functionality.
• Collaborate with Quality Assurance to ensure food safety, compliance, and shelf-life targets are met.
• Work closely with Sales and Marketing to provide technical support, presentations, and samples for customer projects.
• Monitor industry trends and competitive products to drive innovation and differentiation.
• Manage multiple projects simultaneously, maintaining timelines, budgets, and priorities.