What are the responsibilities and job description for the Research And Development Manager position at Gold Creek Foods?
Now Hiring: Research & Development Manager – Retail Product Innovation
Gold Creek Foods | Headquartered in Gainesville, GA
We’re looking for an experienced R&D leader to drive innovation for our Retail and National Account protein portfolio. This role owns the development of ready-to-cook and ready-to-eat products—leading formulation, pilot testing, plant trials, and commercialization for our Quick & Eat! brand and other strategic initiatives.
The R&D Manager collaborates closely with Marketing, Operations, QA, Procurement, and Sales to turn insights into scalable, regulatory-compliant products that deliver outstanding taste, quality, cost, and consumer appeal.
What You’ll Lead:
• Driving the end-to-end product development pipeline
• Leading and developing a hands-on technical R&D team
• Translating trends and customer needs into commercially viable products
• Managing scale-up, commercialization, and cross-functional project execution
• Ensuring full compliance with USDA, HACCP, SQF, BRC, and GMP standards
• Supporting customer presentations, audits, and product cuttings
• Improving processes, yields, and product consistency across plants
What You Bring:
• Bachelor’s in Food Science, Animal/Poultry Science, Culinology, or related field
• 5 years R&D experience in CPG, meat/poultry, or prepared foods
• Proven success taking protein-based products from concept to launch
• Strong technical skills in formulation, sensory, commercialization, and regulatory compliance
• Ability to lead teams, manage multiple projects, and work cross-functionally
• A blend of culinary creativity and scientific rigor
Equal Opportunity Employer
Gold Creek Foods welcomes all qualified applicants.