Manager, R&D - Culinary Innovation Lab (Food R&D)

Location: Hybrid, based at the hirify.global R&D Innovation Center in Glenview, Illinois, with on-site work required at least three days per week. Travel of up to 15% is expected.

New hire base salary: $104,200–$130,200 per year, plus eligibility for a performance-based bonus.

Company

A food and consumer packaged goods company developing branded food products and investing in R&D-led culinary innovation.

What you will do

• Identify strategic food innovation opportunities through culinary research, food trends, consumer insights, and competitive intelligence.
• Develop, test, and validate minimal viable product prototypes using functional ingredients, formulation principles, and sensory evaluation methods.
• Plan and execute competitive reviews, market immersions, trend presentations, ideation sessions, and product cuttings.
• Lead end-to-end culinary workstreams across multiple brands, platforms, or categories, delivering against objectives, timelines, and business outcomes.
• Partner with R&D, Marketing, Insights, Innovation and Functional teams, as well as external partners, to guide concept prioritization and product direction.
• Translate culinary concepts into scalable product opportunities while balancing consumer fit, technical feasibility, and commercial viability.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in culinary arts, food science, nutrition, or a closely related field, with at least six years of progressive culinary experience.
• At least three years of experience in a corporate CPG or food manufacturing R&D environment.
• Expertise in product development, cooking techniques, flavor application, functional ingredients, and culinary nutrition.
• Experience with structured sensory and consumer research methods, including descriptive or scoring tests, discrimination testing, CLTs, HUTs, or focus groups.
• Knowledge of HACCP, GMP, allergen management, and safe culinary laboratory practices.
• Experience applying Agile and Design Thinking, managing projects, influencing cross-functional decisions, and using recipe management, PLM, or SAP systems.

Nice to have

• RCA Certified Research Chef (CRC) certification or equivalent culinary R&D or product development certification.
• Experience with trend scouting, dig site methodology, or white space identification.

Culture & Benefits

• Hybrid work arrangement with virtual work available up to two days per week based on business needs.
• Healthcare coverage including medical, prescription drug, dental, vision, and screenings or assessments.
• Paid time off, company holidays, leave programs, flexible work arrangements, and training opportunities.
• 401k, life insurance, accidental death and dismemberment, and disability benefits.
• Wellbeing, employee assistance, family support, recognition, and learning programs.