R&D Product Development Manager

The R&D Manager, CSD will work in a dynamic, fast paced, and highly collaborative environment where strategic thinking, creativity, leadership, and a self-motivated drive for excellence & results is critical. There will be a high degree of interaction and collaboration with R&D, Marketing, Procurement, Supply Chain, and Ingredient Suppliers. Lead, manage, and develop product development scientists, establishing clear expectations while building technical capability, independence, and leadership. Align team resources and assignments with portfolio priorities, project complexity, technical risk, and employee development needs. Provide technical leadership from concept development and bench formulation through pilot trials, scale-up, commercialization, and post-launch learning. Co-create the CSD innovation and renovation roadmap with R&D, Marketing, Commercial, and Consumer Insights, translating consumer needs, brand priorities, and portfolio whitespace into actionable product concepts and development programs. Partner with cross functional teams to accelerate high-quality decisions and project delivery. Leads and manages R&D communication with key stakeholders, cross-functional partners, and leaders on the overall Productivity agenda Develops and communicates key business updates to stakeholders and senior leadership Develops robust Performance and Development plans for each direct report to ensure talent development is key priority within High Performance Team culture Foster a collaborative, inclusive, accountable, and high-performing culture grounded in technical excellence, curiosity, and commitment to results. 8+ years of experience in Product Development, Food Manufacturing, R&D, or related function (Food and Beverage experience required) Minimum of 3 years' experience managing, leading, and developing direct reports Strong business acumen and ability to connect technical recommendations with consumer, operational, financial, and portfolio implications. Strong knowledge of product formulation, experimental design, ingredient functionality, sensory evaluation, product stability, manufacturing processes, and commercialization. Proficient concept generation, consumer research, problem solving, and collaboration skills Demonstrated consumer empathy for developing consumer centric propositions Ability to travel is required Ability to manage ambiguity and complex problems.