Research and Development Manager

Joy Baking Group•Hermitage, PA

12h

About The Position

The Research and Development Manager at Joy Baking Group leads the development, testing, and continuous improvement of bakery products to ensure high quality, consistency, cost efficiency, and innovation. This role manages cross-functional projects from concept through commercialization, coordinating timelines, resources, and stakeholders to deliver successful product launches. The position focuses on new product development, recipe optimization, ingredient research, and process improvement while ensuring compliance with food safety and quality standards. Additionally, the R&D Manager collaborates directly with customers and internal teams to understand requirements, provide technical support, and translate customer feedback into product solutions that meet market and business needs.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in food science, Food Technology, Baking Science, or a related field
Minimum of 5 years of hands-on experience in bakery research and development, food manufacturing, or product development
Proven experience working within large-scale or industrial baking operations
Must be highly motivated, able to follow directions, and able to perform assigned work duties independently with minimal supervision
Communicate effectively and collaborate with internal departments and external stakeholders to coordinate activities, share information, and ensure alignment with organizational objectives
Able to manage multiple projects with timelines
Able to analyze and present complex information effectively
Able to problem solve and source solutions across multiple areas of work
Must have strong organizational skills and ability to analyze / interpret technical information, mathematical concepts, and form conclusions
Must have a good understanding of the food industry, market trends, and competitive landscape
Able to adapt to changing market conditions and business priorities
Must be able to travel to visit vendors

Nice To Haves

Prior experience in cookie development and production is highly preferred
Strong technical expertise in baking ingredients, formulations, and production processes

Responsibilities

Develop new bakery products in line with company strategy, market trends, and customer preferences
Improve existing recipes to enhance taste, texture, shelf life, and nutritional value
Lead cross-functional product development projects from concept through commercialization, ensuring on-time and successful product launches
Conduct product trials, sensory evaluations, and benchmarking against competitors
Research new ingredients, raw materials, and baking technologies
Conduct laboratory and pilot-scale trials to validate formulations
Analyze test results and document findings clearly and accurately
Evaluate ingredient substitutions for cost reduction or supply continuity
Collaborate directly with customers and internal teams to gather requirements, provide technical support, and translate feedback into viable product solutions
Work closely with production teams to scale recipes from test kitchen to full production
Ensure all products meet food safety, regulations, and quality standards (HACCP, GMP, local food regulations)
Maintain accurate R&D documentation, recipes, and specifications
Support quality assurance during audits and product reviews
Coordinate with procurement on ingredient sourcing and supplier evaluation
Support operations with technical guidance and training