Manager Research & Development (Salty Snacks)

Conagra Brands • Chicago, IL

1d • Onsite

About The Position

As the Manager Research & Development (R&D), reporting to the Senior Director R&D, you will provide product design leadership for designated brands and platforms within the R&D Food and Process Design group. You will manage a technical team responsible for the day-to-day development and commercialization of new, improved, and cost-reduced snack products. You will drive food product innovation for assigned businesses and lead cross-functional project teams while serving as a technical mentor and resource for your team. Your Impact Coach, mentor, and develop food scientists to build technical expertise and career growth. Communicate strategies, priorities, and direction clearly to your team. Champion ideas for technology improvements, cost savings, and innovations that align with company strategic goals. Ensure excellent product design, quality, and performance specifications for assigned brands. Act as the primary product development business interface for assigned brands, managing technical teams and cross-functional initiatives. Cultivate strong relationships with cross functional partners. Maintain high awareness of consumer and technical trends and developments in the food industry. Lead development of technical work plans and execute projects integrated with business teams. Set tactical objectives to drive business results and deliver impactful outcomes. Exhibit professionalism and positively represent Conagra Brands within the technical community. Your Experience Bachelor of Science degree in Food Science or related field 7+ years of relevant experience in the food industry developing and commercializing food products across multiple platforms and/or food processing technologies. 2+ years of people management or leadership experience. Proven leadership skills with the ability to influence technical and business partners. Basic understanding of business and financial principles. Strong negotiating skills for effective conflict resolution. Travel may be up to 20%. Comfortable working in manufacturing environments with exposure to loud noise, heat, cold, wet, slippery conditions and all food allergens. You will be onsite 4 days a week. Relocation is available for this position. Preference given to local candidates, if applicable. #LI-MH1 #LI-MSL #LI-ONSITE Compensation: Pay Range:$107,000-$156,000 The annual salary listed above is the expected offering for this position. An employee’s actual annual salary will be based on but not limited to: location, relevant experience/level and skillset, while balancing internal Conagra employees’ equity. Conagra Brands will comply with applicable law regarding minimum salaries for exempt employees. Our Benefits: We care about your total well-being and will support you with the following, subject to your location and role: Health: Comprehensive healthcare plans, wellness incentive program, mental wellbeing support and fitness reimbursement Wealth: Great pay, bonus incentive opportunity, matching 401(k) and stock purchase plan Growth: Career development opportunities, employee resource groups, on-demand learning and tuition reimbursement Balance: Paid-time off, parental leave, flexible work-schedules (subject to your location and role) and volunteer opportunities Our Company: At Conagra Brands, we have a rich heritage of making great food. We aspire to have the most impactful, energized and inclusive culture in food. As a member of our 18,000+ person team across 40+ locations, you are empowered to reach your potential, make an impact and own your career. We're in the business of building champions – within our people and our iconic brands like Birds Eye ®, Slim Jim® and Reddi-Wip®. Our focus on innovation extends beyond making great food, it also reflects our commitment to embracing new solutions that positively impact our team, the communities we serve and the health of our planet. Foodies Welcome. Conagra Brands is an equal opportunity employer and considers qualified applicants for employment without regard to sex, race, color, religion, ethnic or national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, pregnancy, leave status, disability, veteran status, genetic information and/or any other characteristic or status protected by national, federal, state or local law. Reasonable accommodation may be made upon request. At Conagra Brands, we have a rich heritage of making great food. We aspire to have the most impactful, energized and inclusive culture in food. As a member of our 18,000+ person team across 40+ locations, you are empowered to reach your potential, make an impact and own your career. We're in the business of building champions – within our people and our iconic brands like Birds Eye ®, Slim Jim® and Reddi-Wip®. Our focus on innovation extends beyond making great food, it also reflects our commitment to embracing new solutions that positively impact our team, the communities we serve and the health of our planet. Foodies Welcome. Conagra Brands is an equal opportunity employer and considers qualified applicants for employment without regard to sex, race, color, religion, ethnic or national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, pregnancy, leave status, disability, veteran status, genetic information and/or any other characteristic or status protected by national, federal, state or local law. Reasonable accommodation may be made upon request.

Requirements

• Bachelor of Science degree in Food Science or related field
• 7+ years of relevant experience in the food industry developing and commercializing food products across multiple platforms and/or food processing technologies.
• 2+ years of people management or leadership experience.
• Proven leadership skills with the ability to influence technical and business partners.
• Basic understanding of business and financial principles.
• Strong negotiating skills for effective conflict resolution.
• Travel may be up to 20%.
• Comfortable working in manufacturing environments with exposure to loud noise, heat, cold, wet, slippery conditions and all food allergens.
• You will be onsite 4 days a week.

Nice To Haves

• Preference given to local candidates, if applicable.

Responsibilities

• Provide product design leadership for designated brands and platforms within the R&D Food and Process Design group.
• Manage a technical team responsible for the day-to-day development and commercialization of new, improved, and cost-reduced snack products.
• Drive food product innovation for assigned businesses and lead cross-functional project teams while serving as a technical mentor and resource for your team.
• Coach, mentor, and develop food scientists to build technical expertise and career growth.
• Communicate strategies, priorities, and direction clearly to your team.
• Champion ideas for technology improvements, cost savings, and innovations that align with company strategic goals.
• Ensure excellent product design, quality, and performance specifications for assigned brands.
• Act as the primary product development business interface for assigned brands, managing technical teams and cross-functional initiatives.
• Cultivate strong relationships with cross functional partners.
• Maintain high awareness of consumer and technical trends and developments in the food industry.
• Lead development of technical work plans and execute projects integrated with business teams.
• Set tactical objectives to drive business results and deliver impactful outcomes.
• Exhibit professionalism and positively represent Conagra Brands within the technical community.

Benefits

• Comprehensive healthcare plans, wellness incentive program, mental wellbeing support and fitness reimbursement
• Great pay, bonus incentive opportunity, matching 401(k) and stock purchase plan
• Career development opportunities, employee resource groups, on-demand learning and tuition reimbursement
• Paid-time off, parental leave, flexible work-schedules (subject to your location and role) and volunteer opportunities

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees