Research and Development Technical Manager

As a Research and Development Technical Manager on our Sweet Snacking team, you will manage the development of multiple projects and programs. This position will support the RX Bar business with potential to lead additional brands. You will lead a team of 3 food scientists and packaging engineers to work on assigned projects. This includes the review of relevant consumer insights as well as food and package design options. The role is based out of our Downtown Chicago, IL office location and will work in a hybrid model.  Estimated travel is 20%. 

 

Join us in revolutionizing the food industry! Lead a team to develop and scale innovative food and packaging strategies that align with our business goals, meet consumer demands, outpace the competition, and optimize our supply chain. Bring your technical expertise to the forefront and make a company-wide impact. If you have a passion for food platforms, consumer research, and understanding the supply chain implications of cutting-edge designs, we want you on our team!

 

A Taste of What You’ll Be Doing  

 

• Project Manager and Resource Allocation - Prioritize and assign projects to reporting food designers. Monitor workload, priorities and events to ensure appropriate coverage and successful execution of all projects. Work with the category and supply chain functions to advocate for priorities and appropriate resources based on divisional business.
• Product Innovation and Renovation - Lead a team to bring the business strategy to life by creating and executing an innovation / renovation pipeline. Focused on development and commercialization activities, they will work within the following project progression: ideation, development, production scale-up, production testing, and production start-up. Interact with Packaging Technologist / Engineering/Operations to define and resolve production issues.
• Technology Specification and Food Design Oversight – Specify and validate new technology to be used in production systems. This position is responsible for innovation/renovation projects as well as final food design all the way to the shelf.
• Asset Optimization and Sourcing Recommendations - Seek opportunities to maximize use of current corporate assets for the manufacture of new and existing food products/packaging. This includes recommendations for new product/package sourcing.
• Technical Support and Expertise - Provide technical support and troubleshooting expertise to facilities to resolve product/packaging performance issues. Keep current with the latest developments and technology through investigation, training, and communication. 

 

We’re Looking for Someone With

 

• Bachelor of Science Degree in Food Science, Chemical or Agricultural engineering with strong experience in the field
• Consumer Packaged Good experience 
• Food science and culinary knowledge, process capabilities, food safety, quality, sensory and supply chain experience
• Leadership, cost consciousness, communication skills, and diplomacy that will promote good relations with all facets of worldwide management and other technical / scientific disciplines 
• Demonstrated effective execution of projects to accomplish Corporate and Category objectives
• Functioning effectively as a project manager, planner, coordinator, communicator and senior technical expert 

 

Compensation

 

The annual salary range is $130,600 - $171,400, which is based on various factors such as location, experience and skill. Discretionary bonuses based on company and individual performance are also available.

 

What’s Next

Applications for this position will be accepted through July 22, 2025. After you apply, your application will be reviewed by a real recruiter, so it may take us a few weeks to get back with you by email or phone. Visit our How We Hire page to get insights into our hiring process and more about what we offer.

 

Need assistance throughout the application or hiring process? Email USA.Recruitment@Kellanova.com