Research and Development Manager

Are you passionate about bringing innovative food products to life? As our R&D Manager, you’ll play a pivotal role in shaping the future of our Pourables, Spoonables, and Sauces portfolio—leading the creation of exciting new products, elevating existing offerings, and driving meaningful manufacturing and cost improvements. In this role, you’ll lead a high-performing product development team, guiding projects from concept through launch. You’ll have the opportunity to influence strategy, evaluate and execute development plans, and deliver impactful results that reach consumers every day.

Employee Type:

Full time

Location:

IL Oak Brook

Job Type:

Research and Development

Job Posting Title:

Research and Development Manager

Job Description:

Schedule: Remote Monday and Friday; In office Tuesday to Thursday

Work Location: 2015 Spring Road Suite 400, Oak Brook, IL 60523 

Benefits: Medical, Dental, Vision, 401(k) with match, STD/LTD/AD&D/Life, HSA, FSA, EAP, Hospital indemnity, Accident Insurance, Identity and Fraud Protection Plan, Legal, and Critical Illness.

Salary, based on experience and other qualifications: $93k to $138k Annually with additional bonus potential

Position Responsibilities:

• Manage the product development team in the technical aspects of product development on Pourables, Spoonables, and Sauces through the investigation, planning, execution, evaluating and reporting on new product development, product improvements and troubleshooting projects

• Act as technical consultant to all operating units of the company on formulation and processing issues

• Manage and assist the product development team on assigned product category to ensure completion of the high priority projects and critical non-projects work

• Advise, direct, coach, inspire and review progress to create a cohesive team environment

• Work with cross-functional team members to ensure product development efforts are compatible and beneficial to the manufacturing capabilities, strategic business objectives, ensure food safety and properly follow food standards

• Serve as the technical lead on stage gate, project pipeline review and prioritization systems

• Stay apprised of new ingredient technologies used in the industry and disseminate to team members

• Challenge the status quo to drive continuous improvement for both work processes and general organization

• Present products to customers through in-person direct-selling customer product presentations

The duties and responsibilities described are not a comprehensive list of all tasks. Additional tasks and duties may be assigned from time to time as necessitated by business needs.

Qualifications, Requirements & Preferred Attributes:

• Bachelor’s degree required: Food Science/Engineering or related field, Master's degree preferred

• Eight years’ experience in Food Product Development plus a minimum of 2 years successfully managing others

• Proven ability to effectively communicate to customers and all levels of the organization they interact with

• Ability to lead and influence decisions to drive business goals

• Exceptional multi-tasking and project management skills

• Solid technical & troubleshooting skills

• Demonstrated ability to develop high-performing talent within a technical function

• Desire and aptitude to improve organizational performance by fostering a positive work environment

EEO Statement:

Winland Foods seeks to recruit, develop, and retain the most talented people from a diverse candidate pool, and as a global company we believe our success is enhanced by fostering equity and inclusion in the workplace. Therefore, Winland Foods is committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants and teammates without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, military or veteran status, and any other characteristic protected by applicable law.