R&D Manager - Italian Foods

The R&D Manager will join a growing private equity-backed food manufacturing organization with iconic brands, strong retail presence, and world-class manufacturing capabilities. This role is based in the Milton, Pennsylvania area and will lead product development, commercialization, and process optimization initiatives focused on shelf-stable Italian meals, sauces, and related product categories.

This leader will oversee a team of food scientists and play a critical role in driving innovation from concept through commercialization while ensuring products meet quality, regulatory, operational, and financial objectives. The ideal candidate brings deep expertise in low-acid canned foods (LACF), thermal processing, Italian cuisine, and large-scale food manufacturing environments.

• Lead and develop a team of food scientists, providing technical direction, coaching, and performance management


• Drive product innovation initiatives from concept through commercialization across shelf-stable Italian meals, sauces, pasta products, and related categories


• Lead formulation, bench-top development, pilot plant testing, plant trials, and commercialization activities


• Provide technical expertise in thermal processing, ingredient functionality, food safety, and shelf stability


• Ensure compliance with USDA, FDA, HACCP, and all applicable regulatory requirements


• Support and optimize low-acid canned food (LACF) development and manufacturing processes


• Partner cross-functionally with Operations, Quality, Supply Chain, Finance, Sales, and Marketing to successfully launch new products and improve existing products


• Identify and implement product optimization and cost savings initiatives without compromising quality or consumer experience


• Monitor consumer trends, competitive activity, and emerging technologies to identify innovation opportunities


• Collaborate with manufacturing teams to improve scalability, efficiency, and operational performance


• Manage R&D department budgets, capital projects, and resource planning


• Support both internal manufacturing operations and co-manufacturing partnerships


• Travel periodically to manufacturing facilities and partner locations as needed

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Food Science, Food Engineering, Culinary Science, or related technical field


• 5 years of progressive R&D experience within food manufacturing


• Strong experience with Italian food categories including sauces, pasta, ready meals, soups, or related products


• Proven success commercializing products within USDA/FDA-regulated manufacturing environments


• Hands-on experience with shelf-stable and/or low-acid canned food processing


• Strong understanding of thermal processing, ingredient functionality, and food safety systems


• Experience working with frozen, refrigerated, and shelf-stable product platforms preferred


• Experience supporting both internal manufacturing and co-manufacturing environments


• Previous leadership experience managing scientists, engineers, or technical teams


• Experience with PLM systems such as TraceGains preferred


• Experience with nutrition labeling software such as Genesis preferred


• Culinary expertise or strong familiarity with authentic Italian cuisine and flavor profiles highly preferred

• Strong leadership presence with the ability to influence cross-functional teams


• Hands-on, solutions-oriented mindset with the ability to thrive in fast-paced manufacturing environments


• Passion for food innovation, continuous improvement, and commercialization


• Strong communication and organizational skills


• Proven ability to mentor and develop technical talent


• Comfortable operating in a dynamic, growth-oriented environment with evolving priorities