Senior R&D Manager - Baked Goods

Senior R&D Manager - Baked Goods

Private Equity-Backed Food Manufacturer

An expanding, investment-backed bakery platform is seeking a commercially minded Senior R&D Manager to lead product development and commercialization initiatives across its sweet baked goods portfolio.

This leadership role will drive innovation across laminated dough and premium bakery categories, partnering closely with manufacturing, commercial, and executive teams to bring new products from concept through full-scale production. The business operates large-scale bakery facilities supplying retail, club, convenience, and foodservice customers throughout North America.

The ideal candidate combines deep technical bakery expertise with strong operational understanding and a proven ability to commercialize products in high-volume manufacturing environments.

Please note, this role requires relocation to the South-West to be onsite with relocation assistance offered to help facilitate the move.

Core Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end product innovation and commercialization across laminated dough and sweet baked goods categories
• Develop and optimize products including croissants, Danish pastries, puff pastry items, turnovers, cakes, muffins, and related bakery products
• Translate customer and market trends into commercially scalable product solutions
• Manage formulation development, ingredient functionality, shelf-life optimization, and process improvements
• Lead plant trials, scale-up activities, and first production commercialization efforts
• Partner cross-functionally with Operations, QA, Procurement, Sales, and Supply Chain teams
• Evaluate ingredient suppliers, emerging technologies, and process enhancements to improve product quality and efficiency
• Oversee technical documentation, specifications, BOMs, and product standards
• Manage multiple innovation projects within aggressive timelines and evolving business priorities
• Support strategic growth initiatives and customer-facing innovation activities

Candidate Profile

• 7+ years of experience within commercial bakery R&D or product development
• Strong expertise in laminated dough systems and industrial bakery manufacturing
• Experience commercializing products within high-volume food production environments
• Strong understanding of bakery processing, dough functionality, proofing, freezing, and shelf-life stability
• Background supporting retail, ISB, club, or foodservice customer channels preferred
• Ability to operate cross-functionally.
• Degree in Food Science, Baking Science, or related discipline preferred. Culinary background with strong bench-top skills will also work well.
• Formal bakery training or AIB certification advantageous