Research And Development Manager

Now Hiring: Research & Development Manager – Retail Product InnovationGold Creek Foods | Headquartered in Gainesville, GAWe’re looking for an experienced R&D leader to drive innovation for our Retail and National Account protein portfolio. This role owns the development of ready-to-cook and ready-to-eat products—leading formulation, pilot testing, plant trials, and commercialization for our Quick & Eat! brand and other strategic initiatives.The R&D Manager collaborates closely with Marketing, Operations, QA, Procurement, and Sales to turn insights into scalable, regulatory-compliant products that deliver outstanding taste, quality, cost, and consumer appeal.What You’ll Lead: • Driving the end-to-end product development pipeline • Leading and developing a hands-on technical R&D team • Translating trends and customer needs into commercially viable products • Managing scale-up, commercialization, and cross-functional project execution • Ensuring full compliance with USDA, HACCP, SQF, BRC, and GMP standards • Supporting customer presentations, audits, and product cuttings • Improving processes, yields, and product consistency across plantsWhat You Bring: • Bachelor’s in Food Science, Animal/Poultry Science, Culinology, or related field • 5+ years R&D experience in CPG, meat/poultry, or prepared foods • Proven success taking protein-based products from concept to launch • Strong technical skills in formulation, sensory, commercialization, and regulatory compliance • Ability to lead teams, manage multiple projects, and work cross-functionally • A blend of culinary creativity and scientific rigorEqual Opportunity Employer Gold Creek Foods welcomes all qualified applicants.