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Supplier Development Manager Jobs in Utah (NOW HIRING)

SUMMARY: The Business Development Manager is responsible for identifying and gaining business ... Focused on securing new Integrated Supply (APS) business by building strong customer relationships ...

Business Development Manager

Salt Lake City, UT ยท On-site

$100K - $130K/yr

SUMMARY: The Business Development Manager is responsible for identifying and gaining business ... Focused on securing new Integrated Supply (APS) business by building strong customer relationships ...

... supply agreement development. * Coordinate internal resources to maximize strategic win rates ... Comfortable managing ambiguity while driving long-term growth initiatives. Key Functional ...

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Supplier Development Manager information

See Utah salary details

$20

$48

$75

How much do supplier development manager jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 16, 2026, the average hourly pay for supplier development manager in Utah is $48.24, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $37.64 and $59.09 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a supplier development manager, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Supplier Development Manager, you need expertise in supply chain management, procurement processes, quality assurance, and typically a relevant degree in business, engineering, or supply chain. Familiarity with ERP systems, supplier performance analytics tools, and certifications like Six Sigma or APICS are commonly required. Strong negotiation, relationship-building, and problem-solving skills set top performers apart in this role. These skills are vital to ensure reliable supplier performance, cost efficiency, and continuous improvement throughout the supply chain.

What is a supplier development manager?

A Supplier Development Manager is responsible for improving the performance and capabilities of a company's suppliers. They work closely with suppliers to ensure they meet quality, cost, and delivery standards, and help implement process improvements. This role often involves evaluating supplier performance, fostering strong relationships, and collaborating on initiatives that drive mutual growth. Supplier Development Managers play a key role in optimizing the supply chain and supporting business objectives.

What is the difference between Supplier Development Manager vs Procurement Specialist?

AspectSupplier Development ManagerProcurement Specialist
CredentialsBachelor's degree; certifications like CPSM or CSCP often preferredBachelor's degree; certifications like CPSM or CSCP beneficial
Work EnvironmentCollaborates with suppliers to improve quality, cost, and deliveryFocuses on sourcing, purchasing, and contract negotiations
Industry UsageCommon in manufacturing, automotive, and supply chain sectorsWidely used across various industries including retail and logistics

The Supplier Development Manager and Procurement Specialist roles both require supply chain knowledge and certifications like CPSM or CSCP. However, the Supplier Development Manager primarily works on improving supplier performance and relationships, while the Procurement Specialist focuses on sourcing and purchasing activities. Both roles are essential in supply chain management but serve different functions within organizations.

What are the typical challenges faced by a supplier development manager when working with new suppliers?

A Supplier Development Manager often encounters challenges such as aligning new suppliers with the company's quality standards, managing communication across different cultures and time zones, and ensuring timely delivery during the initial phases of collaboration. Building trust and establishing clear performance metrics are crucial, and it can take time for suppliers to adapt to new processes or expectations. Successful Supplier Development Managers proactively address these issues through regular site visits, continuous training, and fostering transparent communication channels with suppliers.

What are popular job titles related to Supplier Development Manager jobs in Utah?

For Supplier Development Manager jobs in Utah, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What cities in Utah are hiring for Supplier Development Manager jobs?

Cities in Utah with the most Supplier Development Manager job openings:

Infographic showing various Supplier Development Manager job openings in Utah as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 66% Full Time, 21% Part Time, and 12% Contract. Highlights an 92% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $100,335 per year, or $48.2 per hour.

Research & Development Manager

Thrive Foods

American Fork, UT โ€ข On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 5 days ago


Job description

Job Title: Research and Development Manager

Department: Quality

Reports to: Vice President of Quality

Location: American Fork, Utah

Position Summary

The Research & Development (R&D) Manager is responsible for leading innovation, product development, process optimization, and technical commercialization for Thrive Freeze Dry’s portfolio of human and pet food products. This role partners closely with Operations, Quality, Supply Chain, Sales, and Customers to deliver safe, high-quality, and scalable freeze-dried ingredients and finished goods. The R&D Manager ensures that all new products, reformulations, and process improvements align with Thrive’s strategic goals, meet customer expectations, and comply with regulatory and certification standards across our North American manufacturing network.

Product Innovation & Development
  • Lead the design, development, and testing of new freeze-dried ingredients, meals, snacks, and formulations for human and pet applications.
  • Translate customer needs, market trends, and internal strategy into actionable R&D roadmaps and prototypes.
  • Manage bench-top trials, pilot tests, and plant-scale validations to ensure product performance, stability, and manufacturability.
  • Maintain responsibility for ingredient functionality, sensory attributes, nutritional profiles, and shelf-life performance.
  • Other duties as assigned
Commercialization & Process Optimization
  • Partner with Operations, Engineering, and Quality to define processing parameters for new and existing products.
  • Lead commercialization efforts from concept through first production, ensuring a smooth transition to full-scale manufacturing.
  • Identify opportunities to improve yield, reduce waste, enhance throughput, and optimize cost without compromising product quality.
  • Support continuous improvement initiatives across the freeze-drying process, blending, packaging, and handling systems.
Regulatory, Compliance & Documentation
  • Ensure all R&D activities align with FSMA, HACCP, FDA, USDA, Organic, Non-GMO, Kosher, SMETA, and customer-specific requirements.
  • Collaborate with the Quality team to verify that product specifications, formulations, processing instructions, and change controls are accurate and compliant.
  • Create and maintain R&D documentation, including formulas, spec sheets, SOPs, work instructions, and experimental summaries.
  • Support customer audits, technical reviews, and documentation requests related to new or existing products.
Cross-Functional Leadership & Project Management
  • Manage R&D teams across Thrive Freeze Dry’s North American network.
  • Manage multiple concurrent R&D projects across categories, customers, and manufacturing sites.
  • Facilitate communication between Production, Supply Chain, Quality, Engineering, and Sales to ensure alignment and efficient execution.
  • Provide technical leadership to plant teams during scale-ups, troubleshooting, and process validations.
  • Represent R&D during customer visits, technical presentations, and collaborative development sessions.
Qualifications & Experience
  • Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Food Science, Food Engineering, Chemistry, Nutrition, or related field.
  • 5+ years of experience in the food industry, including pet food and/or functional ingredients; experience in both areas and within a freeze-drying environment preferred.
  • Minimum of 5 years’ experience leading, managing, and developing a team.
  • Strong technical understanding of freeze-drying process parameters, product formulation, ingredient interactions, and analytical testing methods.
  • Experience managing technical projects from ideation to commercialization.
  • Ability to interpret regulatory requirements and apply them to product design and documentation.
  • Excellent communication, cross-functional collaboration, and organizational skills.
  • Ability to travel between manufacturing sites and customer locations as needed, including international, 25%-50%.

Physical Requirements – Must be able to perform the following functions with or without accommodations:

  • Consistent and reliable attendance
  • Physical demands: some lifting, carrying, pushing, and/or pulling; some stooping, kneeling, crouching; and frequent fine finger dexterity. Generally, the job requires the following percentages of time committed to physical activity: 40% or more sitting, 40% or more walking, and 40% or more standing.
  • The job is performed under occasional temperature variations and in a food manufacturing office environment. Unrestricted visual and audio abilities are required for the safety of all employees. The ability to lift to 40 lbs. is required.