Manager - R&D

Campbell's • Camden, NJ

2d • $118,600 - $163,100 • Hybrid

About The Position

The Manager - R&D leads development of new and improved Ready to Serve (RTS) Soup product designs that meet business propositions and consumer expectations. The role combines hands-on technical expertise in formulation, experimentation, and scale-up with leadership of a small team of product development scientists. It delivers innovation, renovation, cost, and quality initiatives from concept through commercialization, using scientific rigor, consumer insights, and strong project leadership.

The manager independently manages technical timelines and multiple projects, coordinates team activities, and partners with cross-functional groups, suppliers, manufacturing facilities, and co-packers. The position also manages and develops direct reports while maintaining personal technical contributions on key projects. It is part of the Soup & Broth R&D team supporting the RTS Soup portfolio and reports to the Senior Manager, R&D, Meals & Beverages, Ready to Serve.

The role is based in a hybrid working environment from the Camden office, with approximately 20–30% travel to manufacturing locations. Work includes time in thermal production environments and exposure to hot food products, coolers, freezers, food ingredients, chemicals, and allergens, with appropriate PPE. The employee may need to walk or stand for up to three-quarters of the workday, handle weights up to approximately 40 pounds, and taste and evaluate food products and ingredients.

Requirements

• Bachelor of Science degree or higher in Food Science, Engineering, or a related field.
• At least 6 years of experience in food product development and/or food manufacturing.
• Proficient technical R&D expertise in product design, processing technologies, scale-up, and manufacturing.

Nice To Haves

• Master’s degree in Food Science or a related field.
• Experience developing and commercializing high- and low-acid products.
• Experience leading, coaching, or directly managing scientists, technologists, contractors, and/or co-ops.
• Understanding of product cost and sensory performance drivers, plus financial and business acumen, including P&Ls and ingredient costing.
• Strong influencing, collaboration, and interpersonal skills.
• Effective verbal and written communication with cross-functional teams and multiple management levels.
• Ability to drive decisions, delegate work, and provide training and feedback to direct reports, contractors, and/or co-ops.
• Strong project management, organizational, and documentation skills, with accuracy and attention to detail.
• Ability to deal with ambiguity, multitask, adapt to change, and persevere in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to balance multiple initiatives and adapt to changing directions and rapid timelines.
• Creative problem-solving, critical thinking, technical product leadership, and strong project leadership.
• Ability to work independently and apply scientific rigor and discipline throughout product development and commercialization.

Responsibilities

• Independently develop and manage technical timelines and activities for multiple product development projects, and coordinate and execute projects led by the team.
• Work with Marketing, CCID, and Commercialization Planning to define project milestones, R&D activities, and timing.
• Lead product development projects from concept through commercialization, using product design criteria and consumer insights to deliver on time, in full, and with technical rigor.
• Work with Process R&D and Engineering to define ingredient handling and blending equipment requirements.
• Lead pilot plant and manufacturing trials to assess feasibility and define finished product specifications that meet consumer expectations.
• Support interactions with internal and external manufacturing facilities and suppliers.
• Apply scientific knowledge and technical skills to business issues and opportunities.
• Define technical design requirements, evaluate research results, and incorporate consumer test results into prototype formulations.
• Develop prototypes that meet business objectives, including cost and nutritional targets.
• Perform and direct analysis, testing, and experiments to develop or improve products and processes.
• Identify and communicate product constraints and risks, and problem-solve to find solutions.
• Prepare and provide technical guidance, proposals, and recommendations.
• Manage, develop, and engage direct reports, including product development scientists, contractors, and co-ops; set priorities, delegate work, and provide coaching, training, and feedback.
• Ensure the team uses scientific rigor and discipline during development and commercialization, and encourage ownership and results.
• Partner with the Senior Manager to align resources and prioritize RTS Soup needs across interfacing teams, including PDM, Ingredient, and Optiva.
• Work with Marketing and Consumer Insights to identify and develop concepts for new products and platforms.
• Apply innovation-process knowledge, thought leadership, business strategy, and creative problem-solving.
• Monitor industry developments and pursue ingredient, product, or technology advances for new initiatives.
• Prioritize and balance multiple projects, adapting to changing directions and rapid timelines.
• Identify critical-path items and risks, troubleshoot issues, remove barriers, and communicate or escalate issues to business teams and management.
• Provide technical product leadership and critical thinking on project direction, and drive alignment with stakeholders and cross-functional teams.
• Work with Purchasing on ingredient supply and costing and support key supplier relationships.
• Work with PR&D, Engineering, and Operations to identify, define, and commission ingredient handling or blending equipment.
• Use internal and external expertise to resolve technical challenges.
• Work with co-packers as needed, adapting CSC formulas to their equipment and systems.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, short- and long-term disability, AD&D, and life insurance, including coverage options for individuals, families, and domestic partners.
• Matching 401(k) plan, available from the first day of employment with immediate vesting.
• Unlimited sick time, paid time off, and holiday pay.
• Free access to the fitness center for employees in WHQ.
• Access to on-site day care operated by Bright Horizons and a company store.
• Campbell’s Cares matches employee donations and/or volunteer activity up to $1,500 annually.
• Employee Resource Groups (ERGs).
• Wellness benefits beginning on the first day of employment.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager