Senior Manager, R&D

1 month, 1 week ago
Full-time
Senior
Project and Program Management
Chomps

Chomps

Chomps specializes in producing 100% grass-fed beef and venison jerky sticks that are paleo and Whole30 approved, offering a protein-rich, gluten-free snack option for health-conscious consumers.

Food Products
11-50
Founded 2012

Description

  • Develop and execute R&D strategies that support manufacturing excellence, product quality, and business growth.
  • Identify and prioritize opportunities to improve operational performance across the manufacturing network.
  • Serve as a technical advisor to Operations and Executive Leadership on manufacturing, commercialization, and quality initiatives.
  • Establish long-term roadmaps for process improvement, capability development, and technical innovation.
  • Lead, coach, and develop the R&D team while setting priorities, processes, and technical standards.
  • Allocate team resources and build organizational capability through mentoring, talent development, and succession planning.
  • Lead commercialization efforts from concept through full-scale production.
  • Oversee plant trials, scale-ups, and process validations across multiple manufacturing locations.
  • Provide technical leadership and support to manufacturing and co-manufacturing partners.
  • Lead root cause investigations and resolve significant quality, process, and operational challenges.
  • Drive improvement initiatives focused on yield, throughput, labor efficiency, and overall equipment performance.
  • Partner with cross-functional teams to align priorities, improve launch readiness, and execute business objectives.
  • Use data, plant performance metrics, and consumer feedback to prioritize improvement efforts.
  • Communicate project status, risks, and recommendations to leadership and stakeholders.
  • Ensure robust documentation of formulations, process changes, validations, and technical learnings.

Requirements

  • Bachelor's or Master's degree in Food Science, Meat Science, Engineering, or a related field.
  • 7–10+ years of experience in food manufacturing, product development, commercialization, process improvement, or technical operations.
  • Experience in meat snacks, meat processing, or shelf-stable animal protein products.
  • Demonstrated success leading complex manufacturing and commercialization initiatives across multiple facilities.
  • Strong knowledge of food processing, formulation, quality systems, and manufacturing operations.
  • Experience supporting and influencing co-manufacturing partners.
  • Proven people leadership experience, including coaching, performance management, and talent development.
  • Strong business acumen with the ability to balance quality, cost, speed, and scalability.
  • Ability to influence cross-functional teams and drive alignment without direct authority.
  • Excellent problem-solving, communication, and project management skills.
  • Experience leading continuous improvement or operational excellence initiatives.
  • Track record of delivering measurable improvements in yield, quality, cost, or manufacturing performance.
  • Experience building teams and organizational capabilities within a high-growth environment.
  • Ability to travel up to 50%.
  • Must reside in the United States and be authorized to work without visa sponsorship now or in the future.

Benefits

  • Salary range of $140,000–$150,000 plus a 20% annual bonus.
  • Medical, dental, and vision insurance.
  • 401(k) with 6% company match.
  • Monthly wellness and home office reimbursements.
  • Unlimited PTO and 15+ paid holidays.
  • Hybrid and flexible remote schedule, with a Chicago office available for local employees.
  • Paid maternity and paternity leave.
  • Company-wide continuing education budget.

Interested in this position?

Apply directly on the company website

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