Hunter The Headhunter

Position OverviewThe Vice President of Research & Development is responsible for setting and executing the company’s enterprise-wide innovation and product development strategy across a multi-site food manufacturing network. This role drives both top-line growth and operational performance through disciplined commercialization, portfolio management, and scalable product development.This leader will oversee the full R&D function, including product development, process development, food safety/microbiology, and regulatory, while building a high-performing organization aligned to business objectives. The ideal candidate brings a strong blend of technical expertise, commercialization leadership, and general management capability within a complex food manufacturing environment.Key ResponsibilitiesStrategic Leadership & InnovationDefine and execute a long-range R&D and innovation strategy aligned with company growth targetsBuild and manage a robust product pipeline across branded, private label, and customer-specific initiativesTranslate consumer insights and market trends into commercially viable, scalable productsPartner with executive leadership to align innovation priorities with financial and operational goalsProduct Development & CommercializationLead end-to-end product development from concept through commercialization across multiple manufacturing sitesDrive disciplined stage-gate processes, ensuring speed to market, cost targets, and margin expectations are achievedOversee formulation, scale-up, and process optimization to ensure consistent product quality and manufacturabilityImplement systems to improve commercialization success rates, reduce errors, and increase execution speedOperational & Cross-Functional LeadershipPartner closely with Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing, and Sales to ensure seamless product launches and executionSupport plant operations through process development, cost savings initiatives, and technical problem-solvingLead cross-functional initiatives tied to margin improvement, complexity reduction, and operational efficiencyTeam Leadership & Organizational DevelopmentBuild, lead, and develop a high-performing R&D organization across multiple disciplines (product development, process, regulatory, microbiology)Establish clear structure, accountability, and performance metrics across the teamDrive a culture of innovation, collaboration, and continuous improvementDevelop internal talent and long-term succession planning within the R&D functionTechnical & Functional ExcellenceOversee food safety, microbiology, and regulatory functions to ensure compliance and risk mitigationLead ingredient strategy, formulation optimization, and clean label initiativesEstablish best practices in product and process development, including pilot plant and scale-up capabilitiesMaintain awareness of emerging technologies and industry advancements to enhance competitive positioningFinancial & Business ImpactOwn and manage R&D budgets, capital investments, and resource allocationDrive measurable business impact through innovation (volume growth, margin expansion, cost savings)Implement KPI-driven management of pipeline performance, commercialization success, and ROIRequired Experience & Background15+ years of progressive R&D experience within food or CPG manufacturing10+ years of leadership experience, including oversight of multi-functional R&D teamsProven experience leading large-scale commercialization efforts across multiple plantsDemonstrated success driving innovation tied to measurable business outcomes (volume, margin, cost savings)Experience in high-volume, complex food categories (e.g., frozen, sauces, dressings, prepared foods, etc.)Strong background in process development, scale-up, and manufacturing integrationExperience building and leading organizations (team design, restructuring, capability build-out)Preferred ExperienceExperience supporting both foodservice and retail channelsBackground in multi-site or global manufacturing environmentsExperience leading innovation centers, pilot plants, or technical centers of excellenceExposure to licensed brands, private label, or co-manufacturing modelsEducationBachelor’s degree in Food Science or related field requiredAdvanced degree preferred