R & D Manager

Company Name:  Meduri Farms
 

Company Profile: Since 1984, Meduri Farms has grown to become a premier supplier of specialty dried fruits to food manufacturers around the world.     Our operations are located 60 miles southwest of Portland in Oregon’s agriculturally fertile Willamette Valley.

Job Title:

Research and Development Manager

Date:

12/08/2025

Job Description: The Research and Development Manager is responsible for innovation from concept to presentation of finished products. They are responsible for developing new dried fruit products and improving existing products. This role works closely with Purchasing, Sales, Accounting, Quality Assurance, Production and Upper Management to transition customer approved products into a reproducible, safe, high quality and profitable product. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in food science, with specific expertise in fruit processing and drying technologies. 

Responsibilities:

• Product Development: Design and develop new dried fruit products from concept to commercialization, including formulation, ingredient selection, and process optimization.
• Research & Experimentation:Conduct research and experiments to innovate and improve drying processes, enhance product quality, extend shelf life, and meet customer expectations.
  • Develop & update procedures and processes to transition from small scale R&D runs to production runs
  • Track, document, analyze, present & catalogue important project results from benchtop tests to scale-up production.
• Quality Assurance: Ensure all products meet quality and safety standards. Develop and implement quality control protocols and conduct routine testing.
• Regulatory Compliance: Stay updated with food safety regulations and ensure all products comply with relevant local, national, and international standards.
• Documentation: Maintain detailed records of all research, experiments, formulations, and processes in a variety of systems. Prepare technical reports and presentations for internal and external stakeholders.
• Collaboration:Work cross-departmentally to ensure seamless product development and launch.
  • Provide technical support for Operations, including QA, Engineering and Production.
• Sensory Evaluation: Conduct sensory evaluations to assess the taste, texture, and overall quality of dried fruit products. Make necessary adjustments based on feedback.
• Continuous Improvement:Stay informed about industry trends, new technologies, and scientific advancements in food science. Implement best practices and innovative solutions to improve product offerings.
  • Generate ideas for new products and research feasibility in terms of profitability, resource availability and compliance with regulations.
• Promotes safe working conditions and safe employee practices.

Job Location:

Dallas, OR Plant 1

Company Industry:

Food-Processing

Job Role:

Develop and Enhance Dried Fruits

Joining Date:

Employment Status:

Full-time

Employment Type:

Salary

Annual Salary Range:

 DOE

Reports to:

Process Development Manager

Employment Requirements: 

Technical Skills: Strong knowledge of food science principles, drying technologies, food safety standards, and regulatory requirements. Proficiency in laboratory techniques and analytical methods with high attention to detail and strong organizational skills.

Project Management Experience: Ability to conduct new product ideation create timelines, assign tasks, identify goals, and generate materials and documentation.

Communication Skills: Excellent written and verbal communication skills. Ability to prepare clear and concise technical reports and presentations. Ability to schedule and lead meetings, both in-person and remote.

Computer Skills: Skilled with the use of a personal computer to keep accurate files, perform research tasks using the internet, and help conceptualize, design, and build prototypes depending on project requirements. Strong digital management skills using the Microsoft Office suite (Outlook, Excel, Word, Sharepoint). Familiarity with inventory management systems is a plus.

Analytical Skills: Ability to collect and analyze data, interpret results, and make data-driven decisions.

Experience: Minimum of 3-5 years of experience in food product development, preferably in the fruit or dried fruit industry.

Mathematical Skills: Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as proportions, percentages, area, circumference, and volume.     Ability to apply concepts of basic algebra and geometry. 

Reasoning Ability: Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists.  Ability to interpret a variety of instructions provided in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.

Education: A bachelor’s or master’s degree in food science, Food Technology, Chemistry, or a related field is generally required for this position, and prior experience in a relevant work capacity is highly beneficial. Industry certifications are also helpful. 

Working Conditions: While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is frequently exposed to wet and/or humid conditions and moving mechanical parts. The employee is occasionally exposed to outside weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.