Project Manager

R&D Project Manager - 1st shift

Job Description

The R&D Project Manager develops and refines pet food formulations for large-scale production while supporting customers throughout the product development lifecycle. This role balances hands-on laboratory work with product design, process scale-up, and customer interaction. Initially, the position focuses heavily on lab-based activities such as sample preparation, ingredient handling, mixing, cooking, and cleaning to build a strong understanding of the products. Over time, the role transitions into a more office-based, customer-facing position that involves managing development projects, documenting work, and collaborating with cross-functional teams.

Responsibilities

• Develop, refine, and adjust pet food formulations based on customer requirements and feedback.
• Collaborate with customers to understand product needs, performance expectations, and desired attributes.
• Support product scale-up by helping establish production processes, workflows, and documentation for large-scale manufacturing.
• Coordinate laboratory activities to ensure all materials, ingredients, and equipment are available and ready for use.
• Perform hands-on laboratory tasks including sample preparation, ingredient handling, mixing, cooking, and cleaning.
• Support sample production and day-to-day lab operations to ensure timely delivery of prototypes and test batches.
• Maintain laboratory equipment in good working order and follow standard operating procedures (SOPs) and Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) requirements.
• Create work orders and accurately document all product development activities, trials, and changes.
• Track time, project status, and development data to provide clear visibility to customers and internal stakeholders.
• Collaborate with the production team to ensure formulations and processes transfer effectively from lab to plant.
• Follow food safety and regulatory guidelines, including FDA and GMP standards, in all development and lab activities.
• Contribute to research and development initiatives and new product development projects in pet food and related categories.
• Work closely with the lab technician who supports hands-on activities such as sample preparation, ingredient handling, mixing, cooking, and cleaning.

Essential Skills

• Experience or education in food science, microbiology, chemistry, or other life sciences.
• Bachelor"s degree ideally in food science, microbiology, chemistry, or another life science field, or an associate"s degree with experience in product development in a food environment or food service.
• For Level I: 0-2 years of experience in research and development, food science, or related product development.
• For Level II: 1-3 years of experience in research and development, food science, or related product development.
• Knowledge of food technology, food science, and food safety principles.
• Understanding of research and development processes, including formulation and new product development.
• Familiarity with GMP (Good Manufacturing Practices) and FDA-related food regulations.
• Ability to manage projects, including tracking timelines, activities, and documentation.
• Strong client relationship management and client communication skills.
• Hands-on laboratory experience, including working in a lab environment and supporting sample production.
• Ability to follow SOPs and maintain detailed, accurate records of development activities.
• Comfort working on both the lab floor and in an office environment, balancing technical and customer-facing tasks.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience in product development within a food manufacturing or food service environment.
• Experience in microbiology, chemistry, or related life sciences applied to food products.
• Experience with pet food, organic soups, or similar food categories is beneficial.
• Exposure to new product development and commercialization from concept to production.
• Strong organizational skills to coordinate lab activities, materials, and documentation.
• Ability to track and bill lab expenses, especially for Technologist II roles.
• Experience maintaining and managing SOPs, particularly for Technologist II.
• Ability to communicate directly with customers in a professional and responsive manner, especially in the Technologist II capacity.
• Comfort working in a GMP-regulated facility and adhering to strict food safety and cleanliness standards.
• Ambitious and driven mindset with a commitment to serving at a high level of excellence.

Work Environment

This role is based within a contract manufacturing environment that produces pet food products for a variety of customers. The R&D Project Manager works primarily in an office setting with regular time spent in the laboratory and on the production floor to support sample creation, process scale-up, and collaboration with operations. The facility operates as a GMP-regulated plant, so employees follow strict food safety and cleanliness standards. The typical schedule is Monday through Friday, either 7:00 a.m.-3:30 p.m. or 8:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m., with the expectation that employees may occasionally arrive early, stay late, or work some weekend hours depending on production demands. The culture emphasizes supporting business needs, flexibility, and a strong work ethic, and the team values individuals who are ambitious, driven, and committed to excellence. The dress code is casual, with jeans and short- or long-sleeve shirts acceptable. A lab coat is provided, and employees must wear long sleeves and closed-toe shoes; steel-toed shoes are required when working in the plant. The company provides lab coats, hair nets, and beard nets as needed. Because it is a GMP-regulated facility, employees do not wear jewelry, fake nails, or other items that could pose a risk of contaminating food products.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of JANESVILLE, WI.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $24.00 - $31.25/hr.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following:

• Medical, dental & vision
• Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital
• 401(k) Retirement Plan - Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available
• Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)
• Short and long-term disability
• Health Spending Account (HSA)
• Transportation benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in JANESVILLE,WI.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Jul 6, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.