Research and Development Manager Job Listing at Kelly Services in Aurora, CO (Job ID 9584666)

Description

Kelly Science & Clinical is excited to connect you to this opportunity!

• Job Title: Research and Development Manager – Food & Beverage Manufacturing
• Location: Aurora, CO 80011, United States
• Salary Range: $95K to $110K

Opportunity Overview:
Are you ready to elevate your career in manufacturing operations and help create the world's best desserts? We are seeking a Research & Development Manager, a results-oriented leader who will oversee the execution and implementation of new and existing culinary projects, from concept to commercialization. This role is crucial in developing products that meet taste, quality, functionality, and cost expectations while supporting the production processes that bring these creations to life.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead research, formulation, and development of new products, ensuring they meet cost, time, and processing requirements.
• Design and develop ingredient and product specifications, including packaging recommendations.
• Develop and manage test/trial/FPR plans; support on-floor trials and production runs.
• Create proof-of-concept samples for new desserts or replicate existing designs for use as sales samples.
• Manage ingredient functionality, recipe formulation, and processing parameters.
• Present samples and specifications for customer presentations and obtain approvals.
• Continuously review and improve product quality through analysis of formulation and process parameters.
• Develop analytical methods and control techniques for ingredients, raw materials, and finished goods.
• Ensure plant recipes and specifications produce optimal product quality and efficiency and troubleshoot as needed.
• Provide technical support to internal teams (Procurement, Sales, QA, Ops) and customers.
• Source and investigate new ingredients/technologies with potential application in current or future products.
• Review project progress with Sr. Manager of Culinary Innovation regularly.
• Ensure compliance with Quality Management standards and provide project management support to other Culinary Developers as needed.
• Drive the internal innovation process from a culinary perspective, identifying trends and new product opportunities.
• Ensure food specifications are accurate, compliant, and up to date, including allergen identification.
• Support ingredient evaluation and ensure compliance with standards during new product trials.
• Work with sales teams and customers to develop innovative products, drive current sales, and build a future pipeline.

Qualifications:

• Proven experience leading new bakery products through concept, prototyping, trialing, and commercialization, specifically within an automated, high-speed bakery environment.
• Bachelor's Degree in Food Science/Food Engineering with a strong Baking Science background.
• Minimum of 5 years of bakery/food development/manufacturing experience in large facilities.
• Associate degree in Pastry Arts/Baking is a plus.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and oral.
• Strong experimental discipline—focused on maximizing learning efficiently.
• Proficient in MS Office (Outlook, Word, Excel), SharePoint, ERP systems, and PowerPoint.
• Knowledge of Canadian and U.S. food standards and regulations.
• Strong bench work skills with the ability to implement solutions rapidly (DOE), along with a deep knowledge of raw materials.
• Experience in baking, pastry arts, R&D, and Food/Baking Science.
• Proven track record in Continuous Improvement projects.
• Chocolate experience is an asset.

Application Instructions:
Please quick apply, and a Kelly recruiter will contact you. If your skills, experience, and education do not align with this job, no worries—please visit https://www.mykelly.com/ for other jobs that are active in your area.
Thank you!
P1#9584666

As part of our promise to talent, Kelly supports those who work with us through a variety of benefits, perks, and work-related resources. Kelly offers eligible employees voluntary benefit plans including medical, dental, vision, telemedicine, term life, whole life, accident insurance, critical illness, a legal plan, and short-term disability. As a Kelly employee, you will have access to a retirement savings plan, service bonus and holiday pay plans (earn up to eight paid holidays per benefit year), and a transit spending account. In addition, employees are entitled to earn paid sick leave under the applicable state or local plan. Click here for more information on benefits and perks that may be available to you as a member of the Kelly Talent Community.

Why Kelly® Science & Clinical?

Kelly Science & Clinical is your connection to premier scientific and clinical companies looking to hire industry experts just like you. Our team creates expert talent solutions to solve the world's most critical challenges. Every day, we match science professionals with dream jobs that fit their skills, interests, and career goals—it's the way we think job searching should be. Nearly 100 percent of our science recruiters have a professional background and education in science, so we know a thing or two about the science market and how to get your expertise noticed.

About Kelly

Work changes everything. And at Kelly, we're obsessed with where it can take you. To us, it's about more than simply accepting your next job opportunity. It's the fuel that powers every next step of your life. It's the ripple effect that changes and improves everything for your family, your community, and the world. Which is why, here at Kelly, we are dedicated to providing you with limitless opportunities to enrich your life—just ask the 300,000 people we employ each year.

Kelly Services is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer. We welcome, value, and embrace diversity at all levels and are committed to building a team that is inclusive of a variety of backgrounds, communities, perspectives, and abilities. At Kelly, we believe that the more inclusive we are, the better services we can provide. Requests for accommodation related to our application process can be directed to Kelly's Human Resource Knowledge Center. Kelly complies with the requirements of California's state and local Fair Chance laws. A conviction does not automatically bar individuals from employment. Kelly participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S.

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