R&D & Commercialization Manager

Job Title: Manager - R&D & Commercialization

Job Description

The Manager - R&D & Commercialization leads product development, scale-up, and commercialization activities across a diverse portfolio that includes dairy, non-dairy, beverage, aerosol, frozen novelty, and adjacent food categories. This role manages projects from concept through full-scale manufacturing, partnering closely with Operations, Engineering, Quality, Supply Chain, Procurement, Sales, and customers to launch innovative products that meet quality, timing, and financial objectives. The position provides technical leadership, mentors junior R&D staff, and plays a key role in driving innovation and continuous improvement in food and beverage manufacturing.

Responsibilities

• Lead new product development and commercialization projects from concept through launch across dairy, non-dairy, beverage, aerosol, frozen novelty, and related food categories.
• Develop robust product formulations, process parameters, product specifications, and comprehensive commercialization plans that support successful scale-up and launch.
• Plan, coordinate, and manage pilot plant trials, plant validations, first production runs, and startup activities to ensure smooth commercialization.
• Collaborate closely with Operations and Engineering to ensure products are manufacturable, scalable, and optimized for existing and new production capabilities.
• Lead troubleshooting efforts related to formulation challenges, processing issues, shelf-life performance, and overall product functionality.
• Support customer innovation initiatives, including participation in customer meetings and delivery of technical presentations that clearly communicate product capabilities and benefits.
• Conduct thorough root cause investigations related to consumer complaints, product quality concerns, and commercialization challenges, and implement corrective and preventive actions.
• Partner with Quality and Regulatory teams to ensure all products and processes comply with FDA regulations, SQF standards, labeling requirements, and food safety guidelines.
• Manage multiple projects simultaneously while meeting aggressive commercialization timelines and aligning with business priorities.
• Provide technical leadership and mentorship to junior R&D staff, fostering their development in formulation, scale-up, and commercialization best practices.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with Operations, Engineering, Quality, Supply Chain, Procurement, and Sales to align technical solutions with business and customer needs.
• Drive process optimization and continuous improvement initiatives within product development and commercialization activities to enhance efficiency, quality, and consistency.
• Offer customer-facing technical support to address product performance questions, commercialization issues, and ongoing improvement opportunities.

Essential Skills

• Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Dairy Science, Chemical Engineering, Food Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
• 5-8 years of progressive experience in food and beverage product development and commercialization, preferably including dairy, yogurt, or coffee products.
• Minimum of 3+ years of experience commercializing products from concept through full-scale manufacturing, including leading plant trials, process validations, startup activities, and scale-up projects.
• Proven experience working directly with Operations, Engineering, Quality, Supply Chain, and Procurement teams on product development and commercialization initiatives.
• Strong understanding of food manufacturing processes and commercialization requirements in a food and beverage environment.
• Demonstrated expertise in product development, including formulation and optimization for manufacturability and quality.
• Hands-on experience with commercialization and scale-up, including pilot plant work and transition to full-scale production.
• Solid project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple projects and meet aggressive timelines.
• Cross-functional leadership capabilities, with experience guiding and influencing teams without direct authority.
• Strong skills in root cause analysis and consumer complaint investigation related to product quality and performance.
• Experience providing customer-facing technical support and delivering technical presentations.
• Proficiency in process optimization and continuous improvement methodologies within a manufacturing or R&D setting.
• Excellent written and verbal communication and presentation skills suitable for technical and non-technical audiences.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience in food and beverage manufacturing environments, including dairy, non-dairy, beverage, aerosol, frozen novelty, or related categories.
• Experience in food manufacturing, food production, or beverage manufacturing with a focus on process improvement.
• Knowledge of quality assurance, quality control, microbiology, and food quality principles as they relate to product development and commercialization.
• Familiarity with regulatory compliance in the food industry, including FDA regulations, SQF standards, labeling requirements, and food safety programs.
• Experience in research and development, including concept creation, prototype development, and product optimization.
• Demonstrated ability to work on Food/Beverage Manufacturing projects that require close coordination between R&D and plant operations.
• Strong orientation toward continuous improvement and process optimization in both laboratory and plant environments.
• Ability to mentor and develop junior technical staff, fostering a collaborative and high-performance R&D culture.

Work Environment

This role operates within a food manufacturing environment and involves both office and production floor settings. The position may require regular time spent on the production floor to observe processes, support trials, and verify compliance with product and process requirements. Employees follow all food safety, Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), and safety procedures while performing job duties. The role may involve standing, walking, and working within production areas for extended periods to support plant trials, validations, and startup activities, as well as to support food safety and quality initiatives. The organization focuses on producing, packaging, and shipping private-label whipped dairy and related products, with a strong culture of innovation and a track record of developing new products that redefine possibilities in the food and beverage manufacturing industry.

Job Type & Location

This is a Permanent position based out of Burlington, NC.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $90000.00 - $120000.00/yr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

Why Join Alamance Foods? What We Offer • Medical, Dental & Vision Benefits (eligible the 1st of the month following 60 days) • Life Insurance • Dependent Care Spending Account (DCSA) • Paid Time Off (PTO): 12 days annually • Paid Holidays • Career Growth and Advancement Opportunities • Professional Development and Mentorship • Supportive and Collaborative Team Environment • Employee-focused culture with long-term stability

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Burlington,NC.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Sep 17, 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.