Manager, Research & Development

Purpose

Dole Packaged Foods is a purpose led organization that is a champion of accessible fruit nutrition and builds a brighter future for people through the goodness of fruit.

At Dole, our culture is uniquely driven by core Values. Our commitment to these Values transforms our work into a meaningful journey toward a brighter future together. Here, you'll be part of a respectful, inclusive culture that deeply values our colleagues, customers, and global communities. We strive for excellence, empowering each other to confidently overcome challenges, continuously learn, and achieve world-class results. Guided by unwavering integrity, our actions consistently reflect our commitment to always doing what's right, fostering lasting trust and strong relationships. Through a spirit of collaboration, we cultivate positivity, generosity, and genuine teamwork, enabling collective success toward our One Dole Purpose. Our innovative spirit leads directly to meaningful outcomes and business success.

The Manager, R&D is responsible for delivering innovation that will contribute to volume growth in all potential channels and that will help us realize our mission of providing access nutrition for more than one billion people.

All Our Innovations Are Based On Two Principles

• Increasing access to nutrition and reducing waste of nutrition.
• We promise to use zero processed sugars, have zero fruit loss, and zero plastics by 2025.
  
  

The innovation funnel will include a combination of projects designed to sustain growth of our “core” products (ingredients, beverages, frozen etc.) but may also include expanding into new categories identified as “white space” opportunities by the business.

This role serves as a subject matter expert, managing significant projects or processes with minimal oversight and contributing to departmental planning and results.

This role provides flexibility to work in a hybrid environment of home and our Westlake Village, CA office. (Hybrid is defined as 3 times per week in the office).

Responsibilities

Primary Accountabilities:

• Deliver the innovation pipeline in partnership with cross functional teams, ensuring strong technical, consumer, and financial outcomes.
• Own end to end management of projects (L0–L3) through the project management / stage gate process.
• Provide clear technical guidance and decision making on make versus buy strategies for products and packaging.
• Identify, scout, manage, and evaluate third party product and packaging development partners as required.
• Partner with Procurement to select and manage third party manufacturing partners.
• Design, develop, and validate structural packaging solutions that maintain integrity throughout the supply chain while meeting consumer and brand needs.
• Ensure Product and Packaging Development briefs are created and approved, including clear COG targets, scope, and success criteria.
• Ensure consumer usability and performance testing of packaging is completed per brief requirements.
• Attend and lead manufacturing trials, providing guidance on formulation, process, and packaging changes.
• Support Marketing in consumer research activities and translate insights into development direction.
• Own category or portfolio level innovation budgets
• Accountable for COG strategy, cost optimization initiatives, and delivery of cost savings aligned to global targets.
• Other duties as assigned
  
  

Qualifications

Experience, Knowledge, & Skills You Bring:

• 4–6 years of experience in R&D, Innovation, and/or technical project management roles.
• Proficiency in:
• Product development (formulation, ingredient selection, stability testing)
• Process development (manufacturing technologies, equipment selection, contract manufacturing)
• Packaging development (structural design, testing, consumer usability and acceptability)
• Strong financial acumen, including COG development, budget ownership, and cost optimization.
• Proven track record of delivering innovation into the marketplace.
• Ability to analyze and leverage consumer insight data to drive innovation decisions.
• Knowledge of innovation management tools (e.g., Design Thinking preferred).
• Demonstrated ability to lead complex, cross functional projects across a global manufacturing footprint.
• Advanced project management, prioritization, and stakeholder management skills.

What You’ll Need to Succeed:

• Passionate about a purpose driven career
• Committed to fostering inclusive environments that support employee development and well-being
• Sets clear expectations, encourages innovation, and drives continuous improvement
• Models and coaches towards transparency and integrity in decision-making
• Effectively facilitates cross-team communication and teamwork
  
  

Education & Certification:

• Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Food Technology, Engineering, or science-based equivalent is required.
  
  

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to sit and use the computer for extended periods of time; ability to answer phones and use a variety of office equipment; ability to lift 15 pounds and reach overhead.
  
  

Travel Requirements:

• 15-20% travel is required.
  
  

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, sex, color, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, or on the basis of disability.

For Jobs Based In California

Hiring Pay Scale: $100,000 to $120,000

Dole Packaged Foods is committed to paying our Associates fairly and equitably. The pay rate offered will consider a wide range of factors, including but not limited to experience, education, accomplishments, and location. Pay scales are subject to review on a regular basis and will be updated as appropriate.