MANAGER, RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

MANAGER, RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT 30

Marr Street, Milton, PA 17847

Full-time Full-time Position Overview:

The Manager R D will be joining a private equity business with iconic brands, strong retail presence, and outstanding manufacturing capabilities. The role will be based in the Milton, Pennsylvania manufacturing facility and responsible for leading product development, commercialization, and process optimization for shelf-stable Italian meals and sauces. This role oversees food scientists, manages low-acid canned food (LACF) development from concept through launch, and ensures products meet quality, safety, regulatory, and cost targets. The position plays a key role in scaling innovation and supporting in-house manufacturing capabilities.

Responsibilities:

• Lead a team of two food scientists
• Provide technical expertise throughout all phases of new product development (concept through commercialization)
• Lead ideation, formulation, testing, and scale-up of new items, including operation of site pilot plant.
• Ensure all products comply with USDA, FDA, and other regulatory standards.
• Monitor food trends, consumer insights, and competitive products to identify innovation opportunities.
• Drive continuous improvement in product performance, packaging, and shelf stability.
• Oversee bench-top development through pilot plant testing and full-scale production.
• Partner with Manufacturing to improve existing formulations, reduce costs, and enhance processing methods without compromising quality.
• Investigate and implement cost reduction initiatives
• Cross functional collaboration with Marketing, Sales, Supply Chain, Finance, Operations
• Perform annual performance appraisals for all direct reports and develop key personnel through coaching, training, and organizational development.
• Supervises, coaches, and develops direct reports to help them achieve department goals.
• Develop and control the capital and operating budget for the R D department.
• Performs all other duties, responsibilities, and special projects as assigned.
• Expected travel to manufacturing locations on a regular basis.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Food Science, Culinary Science, Food Engineering, or a related field.
• 5+ years of R D experience in the food manufacturing industry, with a strong emphasis on Italian cuisine (sauces, pastas, ready meals, etc.

). o Proven experience taking products from concept through commercialization in a USDA/FDA-regulated environment. o Strong understanding of ingredient functionality, thermal processing, and food safety protocols. o Culinary training or deep familiarity with regional Italian cooking techniques. o Experience with frozen, shelf-stable, and refrigerated product lines. o Experience with co-manufacturing partners and internal manufacturing environments.

• Experience leading highly skilled technical teams (scientists and engineers)
• Experience using TraceGains or other Product Lifecycle Management system
• Experience using Genesis or other nutrition labeling software

Personal Characteristics:

• Strong leadership presence, communication skills, and ability to influence
• Great attitude and drive: Ability to roll up sleeves and get things done
• Ability to thrive in and handle ambiguity & fast paced environment
• Track record of successful people development
• Passion for food and innovation

The Company:

Hometown Food Company, based in Chicago, IL, was formed by Brynwood Partners in August 2018 to acquire a portfolio of brands from The J.M. Smucker Company. The portfolio includes the exclusive U.S. rights to the iconic Chef Boyardee brand as well as ® Pillsbury® brand's shelf-stable baking products, including Funfetti, along with the Hungry Jack®, White Lily®, Jim Dandy® and Martha White® brands. Pillsbury®, Funfetti and Hungry Jack® are leading national brands in the shelf-stable baking and breakfast categories and White Lily®, Jim Dandy® and Martha White® are regional brands known for flour, corn meal and grits. Categories include baking mixes (cake, brownie, cookies, muffins, etc) ready-to-spread frostings, pancake and waffle mixes, breakfast syrup, and baking ingredients. Subsequent acquisitions include Birch Benders Pancake Mix and Frozen Waffles, DeWaffelbakkers Frozen Pancakes, and Chef Boyardee Shelf Stable Meals. Hometown manufactures the majority of its products from 4 Facilities in Toledo, OH, Milton, PA, North Little Rock, AR, and McDonough, GA. For more information on Hometown Food Company, please visit www.hometownfoodcompany.com For more information on Brynwood Partners, please visit www.brynwoodpartners.com

Benefits:

401(k) 401(k) matching Dental insurance Health insurance Health savings account Life insurance Paid time off Retirement plan Vision insurance

Work Location:

In person