Sr Manager - R&D

Tropicana Brands Group•Chicago, IL

3h•Hybrid

About The Position

The Research & Development (R&D) team drives short- and long-term innovation, product development, citrus quality and expertise and technological advancements across its juice and beverage portfolio. Focused on creating unique flavors, enhancing nutritional value, and improving formulations, the team ensures products meet evolving consumer preferences. They lead projects from concept to launch, ensuring efficient execution while aligning with business goals. Committed to sustainability, they develop innovative packaging solutions that are biodegradable, recyclable, and environmentally friendly. Additionally, they uphold rigorous nutritional science and regulatory standards, validating health claims and ensuring compliance. With a strong emphasis on food safety, quality, and process engineering, the team optimizes manufacturing systems to enhance efficiency, reduce costs, and maintain product excellence. Collaborating closely with scientists, nutritionists, and engineers, Tropicana’s R&D team plays a crucial role in keeping products competitive, sustainable, and aligned with market demands. We are seeking a Senior Manager, Long-Term Innovation, to join our Global R&D team. This role will lead consumer-driven, long-term and novel innovation initiatives to help drive incremental growth to the Global Tropicana portfolio and help drive new products and technologies that can help the Tropicana Brands group expand beyond its current portfolio offerings. This individual will serve as the R&D (Product, Ingredient and Packaging) liaison to cross-functional technical and business partners, driving alignment on future category trends and technologies, influencing the innovation agenda and ensuring research strategies and objectives are aligned across regions and with key business partners: CMOs to North America and EU, Global Insights, Category and Procurement teams. This is a high-impact leadership role that requires strong critical thinking, along with exceptional communication, influence, and relationship-building skills. The ideal candidate thrives in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Chemical Engineering, or a related field (or equivalent experience)
Legally authorized to work in the U.S. without sponsorship
Based in the Chicago, IL area or willing to relocate
Comfortable working in a hybrid model (3 days in office)
Proven experience in product design, development, and commercialization within a consumer products company
Ability to provide both strategic and tactical leadership across innovation initiative
Strong understanding of emerging consumer trends and ability to translate insights into actionable innovation
Good knowledge or understanding of emerging R&D AI tools and technologies that can support the future innovation pipeline
Strong track record of collaboration with cross-functional partners (Marketing, Supply Chain, Sales, etc.)
Excellent project management skills, including timeline development, budget management, and cross-functional coordination
Ability to manage complexity, ambiguity, and risk in a fast-paced environment
Strong analytical, problem-solving, and troubleshooting capabilities
Exceptional communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills
Strong project reporting capabilities with a focus on clear, cross-functional communication
Nimble, business-minded thinker with a focus on creative, practical solutions
Experience transferring technologies into manufacturing environments (internal plants and co-packers) to optimize cost and efficiency

Nice To Haves

12+ years of progressive experience in research and product development within the food and beverage industry
Strong background in consumer-centric product design
Experience building, leading, and retaining high-performing technical teams
Demonstrated ability to influence senior stakeholders and drive cross-functional alignment
Familiarity with global regulatory and quality standards, with a strong emphasis on North America and understanding of EU.
Build a good relationship with Europe R&D and understanding of EU Requirements and Standards.

Responsibilities

Build and manage a strong innovation ecosystem, including suppliers, university research partners, and technology startups, to accelerate new technology development and leverage external capabilities.
Lead and develop a team of product developers focused on advancing long-term innovation through novel technologies, ingredients, new AI tools and emerging market trends.
Champion a culture of continuous improvement and scientific excellence.
Partner across R&D functions—including Product Developers, Process & Packaging Engineering, Nutrition & Regulatory, and Food Safety & Quality—to ensure new ingredients and technologies are viable from both regulatory and manufacturing perspectives.
Leverage AI-enabled research platforms and digital tools to build and unlock a strategic innovation pipeline aligned with global R&D priorities and broader business objectives.
Report directly to the Senior Director of R&D.
Present innovation strategies and long-term pipeline updates to the CEO and Executive Committee.
Travel up to 20%