Senior Manager - Research and Development

This individual will play a key role in the development and execution of corporate Research and Development (R&D) initiatives including leading the strategy of the Innovation Center, Engineering, and developing the R&D digital footprint.  This includes:Leading the ongoing strategy for how the Innovation Center space is fully utilized to support Brand Fuel initiatives and explorations, Developing the R&D IT platform, exploring new technologies to help drive efficiencies, capture and organize R&D data, andCoordinating the strategy for how engineering innovation intersects with product and packaging innovation.The responsibilities of this position shall consist of, but not be limited to, the following:Strategic Leadership & InnovationLead the ongoing strategy, team development, and full utilization of the Innovation Center to support Brand Fuel initiatives and explorations.Drive continuous optimization of Innovation Center resources to maximize impact and efficiency.Spearhead the development and implementation of a robust R&D IT platform; identify and integrate emerging technologies to enhance efficiency, data capture, and reporting.Coordinate the strategic intersection of engineering innovation with product and packaging development.Participate in the innovation process for new idea generation, bringing creative solutions and fresh thinking to the table.Continuously assess and evolve the R&D digital strategy, including tools for data organization, reporting, and presentation.Assess, design & implement R&D digital footprint Architecture:Integrate existing tools (MS Teams, Smartsheet, PLM, etc.) to enable basic data flowStandardize templates across Word, Excel and PowerPoint to ensure consistency and reduce manual effortCentralize documentation in SharePoint or OneDrive with clear folder structure and access controlsTrain Team Members on best practices for collaboration and file management.Product Development & Commercialization:Support the business in developing new products aligned with consumer needs and market trends.Identify and evaluate manufacturing processes for new and improved products.Develop and manage project timelines; lead individual projects from concept to commercialization.Execute hands-on technical development and commercialization of new products in line with the NPD process.Log and maintain detailed records of test formulas, procedures, and outcomes.Provide input for new product cost analysis and feasibility assessments.Source and verify raw ingredients and materials for product development.Quality & Continuous Improvement:Perform sensory audits of existing products, improvements, new products, and competitive samples.Champion quality awareness and maintain product quality across all product lines.Continuously improve products and processes to enhance quality, efficiency, and profitability.Document and maintain product and processing specifications, nutritional values, labeling, and regulatory compliance.Cross-Functional Collaboration:Collaborate with Operations, QA, and other R&D staff to schedule and execute plant trials.Participate in Consumer Insights activities to understand customer and consumer needs.Interact with Sales and Marketing teams to align product development with business goals and customer expectations.Performs other duties and responsibilities as necessary.Integrate existing tools (MS Teams, Smartsheet, PLM, etc.) to enable basic data flowStandardize templates across Word, Excel and PowerPoint to ensure consistency and reduce manual effortCentralize documentation in SharePoint or OneDrive with clear folder structure and access controlsTrain Team Members on best practices for collaboration and file management.