Job Purpose

Cooper Street Bakery is a better-for-you baked sweet goods manufacturer with wide distribution throughout all retail channels. We are a private, family owned and operated business which started in 2011.

The Research and Development Manager will lead our product development initiatives and be an important part of our combined enterprise with particular focus on the Bakery with additional support for brand innovation and contract manufacturing efforts.

As the R&D Manager, you will be responsible for overseeing the entire product development lifecycle, from bench-top formulations to scale-up production, while collaborating closely with internal teams and external customers to drive innovation and change processes. Technical expertise and strategic mindset will be instrumental in shaping our company's future product offerings and optimizing our manufacturing processes. This is a full-time position requiring the candidate to be on site at our facility in La Salle IL.

THE ROLE

• Primary Responsibilities Act as a Technical Partner to Cooper Street Bakery Collaborate with internal teams and external customers to provide technical expertise and guidance throughout the innovation and product change processes, ensuring seamless execution and successful outcomes. Collaborate with both Cooper Street Bakery and Cooper Street Cookie Brand Teams R&D will be a key contributor to the sales and innovation process.
• Being comfortable in sales environment to win new business opportunities as well as working in a quick to market timeframe are key attributes.
• Project Development Lead the development of projects of various scopes, from initial concept to full-scale production, ensuring timelines, budgets, and quality standards are met.
• Cost and Efficiency Management Manage formula and ingredient costs, optimizing efficiency in manufacturing processes to achieve cost-effective product development and improved profitability.
• Trial Plan Creation Design and implement trial plans for all new products, overseeing product testing and evaluation to ensure products meet the desired specifications and performance standards.
• Take responsibility for providing all technical product information, including nutrition facts panels, product claims, and ingredient statements, ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements. Ingredient Sourcing and Evaluation Collaborate closely with procurement leadership to evaluate and source new ingredients and packaging solutions, fostering supplier relationships and staying updated on industry trends.
• Technical Lead Act as the technical lead throughout the development, quoting, and commercialization phases of projects, guiding cross-functional teams to successful project outcomes.
• Continuous Improvement Identify and lead projects with the business team to explore opportunities for product and process improvements, aiming to reduce costs, enhance quality, and increase manufacturing efficiency. Product Ideation and Research Contribute to the ideation of new product lines and the renovation of existing products through formulation and continued product research.
• Shelf-Life Management Oversee product shelf life, leveraging internal capabilities and external labs to ensure products meet quality and safety standards throughout their lifecycle.
• Strategic Planning Drive the company's internal strategy by providing strong leadership and direction for the R&D department.
• Industry Awareness Stay informed about consumer and technical trends, data, and developments in the food and agriculture industry, leveraging insights to inform future product development strategies