Senior Manager Research & Development

At Link Snacks, we show up hungry, roll up our sleeves, plaid or otherwise, and dive straight into the hard work. We don’t hide from challenges; we hunt them down. We push harder, move faster, and take the kinds of big swings that built this business in the North Woods of Wisconsin four decades ago.

We’re everyday people who deliver extraordinary results. Innovation, creativity, and urgency aren’t buzzwords, they’re expectations. And just like the real protein snacks we make across our global house of brands—Jack Link’s®, Lorissa’s Kitchen®, Golden Island®, BiFi®, and Peperami® and KOOEE!® to name a few—there’s nothing artificial about us. What you see is exactly what you get: humble, gritty, passionate people who show up every day ready to not just be a participate in the meat snack industry that the Link Family created, but to move faster, innovate harder and keep raising the bar so high, the rest of the world needs a ladder just to see it.

Dominating this space across the world takes a team. A team that runs together, succeeds together, and celebrates together. A team that’s full of relentless energy and spirit that can only be fueled by one thing: a fist full of our delicious meat snacks.

Real Meat Protein. Real People. Real Results. THAT is Link Snacks.

The Senior Manager Research & Development is responsible for leading the development and optimization of new and existing food products, processes, and technologies. This role ensures that all projects align with company objectives for innovation, quality, safety, and regulatory compliance. The Senior R&D Manager collaborates cross-functionally with Marketing, Operations, Quality Assurance, and Supply Chain to deliver commercially viable solutions that meet consumer needs and business goals.  This individual is also responsible for developing, implementing and monitoring standard work, process improvements and mentoring / coaching food scientists.

DIRECT REPORTS

• Product Developer (2)

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES (Essential Job Functions)

The duties and responsibilities of this position shall consist of, but not be limited to, the following:

• Product Development: (30%)
  • Lead the creation, formulation, and testing of new food products from concept to commercialization.
  • Optimize existing product lines for cost, quality, and sustainability.
• Project Management: (30%)
  • Manage multiple R&D projects, ensuring timelines, budgets, and deliverables are met.
  • Maintain accurate documentation of formulations, processes, and specifications.
• Team Development: (30%)
  • Mentor and develop R&D staff, fostering a culture of innovation and continuous improvement.
• Strategic planning as a member of the R&D leadership team (10%)
  • Auditing and aligning on the key needs for the R&D team to deliver on the needs of the business

The above areas include:

• Technical Leadership:
  • Provide technical expertise in food science, ingredient functionality, and processing technologies.
  • Stay current on industry trends, emerging technologies, and regulatory changes.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration:
  • Partner with Marketing to translate consumer insights into product concepts.
  • Work with Operations and Supply Chain to ensure scalability and manufacturability.
• Compliance & Quality:
  • Ensure all products meet food safety standards, regulatory requirements, and company quality guidelines.

Support labeling, nutritional analysis, and allergen management
 

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an Team Member to be successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job the Team Member is regularly required to sit, use hands and fingers, handle, or feel and talk or hear. The Team Member is occasionally required to stand, walk, and reach with hands and arms. The Team Member must occasionally lift and/or more up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those a Team Member encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. The work environment is a plant/office setting with varying degrees of temperatures and noise levels. Exposure to manufacturing equipment movement and wet/slippery floors. However, the vast amount of work is conducted in a climate-controlled office. Travel may be required.

Required Education:

• Master of Science in Food Technology, Food Science or related field or equivalent

Required Experience:

• 8 + years of experience leading, developing and coaching a team
• Demonstrated managing people (direct report)
• Demonstrated experience with meat development
• Experience with a variety of R&D Management tools including hardware, software.
• Working knowledge of food manufacturing at scale
• Demonstrated understanding of R&D experiment designs
• Experience with R&D data platforms, digital tools, and emerging technologies
• Proven track record of leading innovation initiatives and digital transformation within R&D environments
• Budget experience

Preferred Experience:

• Retail (CPG) product development experience

REQUIRED SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES           

• Self-motivated, hands-on and results oriented
• Must be able to collaborate effectively with various manufacturing, marketing, sales and other functional teams
• Must be flexible and able to work well in a team environment
• Comfortable in a fast paced, changing environment
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills; must work effectively with all levels of management and Team Members
• Must demonstrate effective leadership, problem solving, project management, presentation, and employee motivational skills.
• Proficient in Internet navigation, Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.

The salary range for this role is $150,000 – $180,000(Annually).  Actual salaries will vary based on several factors, including but not limited to external market data, internal equity, location, and candidate skill set and experience. Base pay is just one component of Jack Link’s Total Rewards package for Team Members. Other rewards may include annual incentive and program-specific awards. Jack Link’s provides a variety of benefits to eligible Team Members, including medical, dental and vision benefits, life and disability insurance, 401k participation, paid holidays, and paid time off.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER:
Jack Link’s provides equal employment opportunity (EEO) to all persons regardless of age, color, national origin, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, veteran status, or any other characteristic that is protected by federal, state or local law.

E-VERIFY:
Jack Link’s is participant in the federal E-Verify program to confirm the identity and employment authorization of all newly hired employees.  For information about the E-Verify program, please visit:  http://www.uscis.gov/e-verify/employees

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.