R&D Product Development Manager Job Listing at Kelly Services in San Fernando, CA (Job ID US3572283_BH9861610)

Description

Kelly® Science & Clinical is seeking an R&D Product Development Manager for a Premier Client

Our Premier Client, a leading innovator in the flavor and beverage industry, continues to grow — and so do the opportunities within.

We're currently hiring an experienced R&D Product Development Manager to lead product innovation initiatives in a fast-paced, collaborative environment. This leadership role offers autonomy, stability, and growth potential while directly shaping the future of product offerings. If you're passionate about bringing the latest scientific discoveries to life and ready to advance your career, trust the experts at empowering experts.

Position Summary

•  Location: San Fernando, CA
• Pay Range: $90,000 – $120,000/year (3-month contract-to-hire)
• Industry: Food Science | Flavor & Beverage Formulatio
• Schedule: Full-Time | On-site

Role Overview

The R&D Product Development Manager is responsible for leading new product development and continuous improvement of existing formulations. This role ensures innovation aligns with customer requirements, regulatory standards, and manufacturing capabilities. You'll supervise a team of chemists and lab technicians while collaborating cross-functionally with Quality, Production, and Sales departments.

Essential Responsibilities

• Lead and manage all R&D product development projects, from concept through commercialization.

• Create, improve, and reformulate food and beverage products using both existing and novel raw materials.

• Conduct benchmarking and competitive analysis; match and replicate customer/competitor samples.

• Collaborate with customers to define technical requirements and translate them into product solutions.

• Review and approve all formula documentation, compounding procedures, and specification sheets.

• Perform cost analysis, determine feasibility, and recommend pricing strategies for newly developed products.

• Supervise and support a team of Product Development Chemists and Lab Technicians.

• Ensure compliance with SQF (Safe Quality Food) standards and internal quality protocols.

• Provide on-site technical support during first-time production runs and troubleshooting sessions.

• Communicate and collaborate across departments to align project execution with business goals.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Food Technology, Nutrition, Chemistry, or a related field.

• Minimum 4 years of management/supervisory experience in an R&D or product development environment.

• Demonstrated sensory acuity in taste and aroma (critical for flavor development).

• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite and technical math (including algebra).

• Excellent documentation, organization, and English communication skills (written and verbal).

• Ability to work cross-functionally and travel between facilities as needed.

Preferred Skills

• Experience with beverage bases, natural/extract flavoring, or juice concentrate formulations.

• Understanding of production scale-up, ingredient sourcing, and food manufacturing processes.

• Previous customer-facing technical support experience.

Why This Opportunity?

• Work in a collaborative and innovative environment with a commitment to excellence.

• Enjoy job security, structured processes, and support for professional growth.

• Gain visibility and long-term potential through a contract-to-hire model.

• Be part of a company that values technical excellence and empowers leadership at all levels.

What Happens Next?

Apply today. If your background aligns with the role, a recruiter will connect with you for next steps. Even if this role isn't the right match, you'll remain part of the Kelly Science & Clinical talent network, giving you access to future career opportunities across the scientific landscape.
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Thank you,
Kelly Team

As part of our promise to talent, Kelly supports those who work with us through a variety of benefits, perks, and work-related resources. Kelly offers eligible employees voluntary benefit plans including medical, dental, vision, telemedicine, term life, whole life, accident insurance, critical illness, a legal plan, and short-term disability. As a Kelly employee, you will have access to a retirement savings plan, service bonus and holiday pay plans (earn up to eight paid holidays per benefit year), and a transit spending account. In addition, employees are entitled to earn paid sick leave under the applicable state or local plan. Click here for more information on benefits and perks that may be available to you as a member of the Kelly Talent Community.

Why Kelly® Science & Clinical?

Kelly Science & Clinical is your connection to premier scientific and clinical companies looking to hire industry experts just like you. Our team creates expert talent solutions to solve the world's most critical challenges. Every day, we match science professionals with dream jobs that fit their skills, interests, and career goals—it's the way we think job searching should be. Nearly 100 percent of our science recruiters have a professional background and education in science, so we know a thing or two about the science market and how to get your expertise noticed.

About Kelly

Work changes everything. And at Kelly, we're obsessed with where it can take you. To us, it's about more than simply accepting your next job opportunity. It's the fuel that powers every next step of your life. It's the ripple effect that changes and improves everything for your family, your community, and the world. Which is why, here at Kelly, we are dedicated to providing you with limitless opportunities to enrich your life—just ask the 300,000 people we employ each year.

Kelly is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all qualified employees and applicants regardless of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, disability, veteran status, age, marital status, pregnancy, genetic information, or any other legally protected status, and we take affirmative action to recruit, employ, and advance qualified individuals with disabilities and protected veterans in the workforce. Requests for accommodation related to our application process can be directed to the Kelly Human Resource Knowledge Center. Kelly complies with the requirements of California's state and local Fair Chance laws. A conviction does not automatically bar individuals from employment. Kelly participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S.

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