Research and Development Manager - Food Innovation and Product Development

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Closing Date:

Type of Position:

Professional Staff - Project/Program AdministrationNo

Job Type:

RegularNo

Institution Name:

Division of Agriculture of the University of Arkansas

The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture is a state wide campus, with faculty based on University campuses, at Research and Extension Centers and in every Arkansas county. It consists of the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station (AES) and the Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service (CES), and is home to more than 1400 employees.  The Division was established in 1959 and is headed by the Vice-President for Agriculture.  The Division headquarters is located in Little Rock with the rest of the University of Arkansas System Administration.  As an employer, the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture offers a vibrant work environment and a workplace culture that promotes a healthy work-life balance. 

Below you will find the details for the position including any supplementary documentation and questions you should review before applying for the opening.  To apply for the position, please click theApply link/button.

If you have a disability and need assistance with the hiring process and require reasonable accommodations, please contact the Division's Office of Program & Employment Compliance at [email protected].

For general application assistance or if you have questions about a job posting, please contact Human Resources at 501-671-2219 or 479-502-9820.

Department:

AFIC@MCO

Summary of Job Duties:

The Food Innovation & Product Development Manager serves as AFIC@MCO’s lead technical resource for food science and technology, food innovation, product development, and commercialization. This position works directly with food entrepreneurs, farmers, startups, and established food businesses to transform concepts into safe, scalable, and market-ready products.

The successful candidate will provide leadership in product formulation, process development, food safety, commercialization planning, and client consulting. This role serves as the bridge between product development, manufacturing operations, and client success, helping clients navigate the path from idea to commercialization while advancing AFIC@MCO's mission of strengthening the regional food economy.

This position reports to the Director of Operations and works closely with AFIC@MCO leadership, processing staff, business development staff and partners, and external stakeholders.


Specific responsibilities will include:

Food Innovation & Product Development
• Lead development of new food and beverage products from concept through commercialization.
• Create and optimize formulations for flavor, texture, functionality, stability, shelf life, and manufacturability.
• Conduct bench-top, pilot-scale, and production-scale trials.
• Evaluate product feasibility and identify technical challenges early in the development process.
• Improve existing formulations for quality, process efficiency, scalability, and cost optimization.
• Evaluate ingredients, packaging, and processing options to support successful commercialization.

Commercialization & Manufacturing Support
•Translate formulations into scalable manufacturing processes.
•Support product scale-up from development through commercial production.
•Troubleshoot processing challenges including thermal processing, viscosity, texture, consistency, yield, and product performance.
•Develop manufacturing specifications, processing instructions, and production recommendations.
•Work collaboratively with processing and operations staff during initial production runs and commercialization activities.
•Assess manufacturing feasibility and recommend external manufacturing partners or co-packers when appropriate.

Client Consulting & Technical Services
•Serve as AFIC@MCO's primary technical advisor for product development clients.
•Provide consultation on formulation, ingredients, packaging, food safety, manufacturing, and commercialization strategies.
•Assist entrepreneurs and food businesses in understanding technical requirements, development timelines, costs, risks, and opportunities.
•Scope, prioritize, and manage multiple client projects simultaneously.
•Support client onboarding, project planning, and expectation setting.
•Foster strong client relationships and contribute to a positive client experience.

Food Safety, Quality, & Regulatory Support
•Ensure product formulations comply with applicable food safety and regulatory requirements.
•Review ingredient statements, allergen declarations, nutrient analysis, and product claims.
•Support shelf-life studies, product testing, process validation, and food safety assessments.
•Coordinate with external laboratories, process authorities, and regulatory partners as needed.
•Maintain awareness of current food safety regulations, industry standards, and emerging technologies.

Program Leadership & Collaboration
•Lead and mentor R&D staff, interns, and student employees, as applicable.
•Develop and maintain product development procedures, best practices, and documentation systems.
•Collaborate with Operations, Processing, Business Development, Extension, and external partners to deliver successful client outcomes.
•Support development and growth of AFIC@MCO's product development and commercialization services.
•Contribute to grant proposals, technical reports, workshops, and educational programming.
•Represent AFIC@MCO at industry events, conferences, partner meetings, and outreach activities.

Strategic Support
•Evaluate projects for technical feasibility, operational fit, and commercialization potential.
•Provide recommendations regarding AFIC@MCO's ability to support specific projects.
•Identify opportunities to expand services, strengthen partnerships, and increase client impact.
•Support AFIC@MCO's strategic goals related to food entrepreneurship, value-added agriculture, and regional economic development.

Qualifications:

Required Qualifications

• Master's in a related field with 4+ years of related experience, or Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Food Technology, Food Engineering, or a closely related field, with 8 years of relevant professional experience is acceptable.
• Candidates may have professional experience as a food scientist, food technologist, product developer, process developer, research chef, or in a comparable food-industry technical role.
• One year of supervisory or managerial experience
• Experience managing multiple projects and competing priorities.

Preferred Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Food Science or related field.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in food product development, food manufacturing, commercialization, or a related industry.
• Certified Research Chef (CRC), Certified Culinary Scientist (CCS), or similar professional credential.
• Better Process Control School certification.
• Experience with acidified foods, thermal processing, shelf-life studies, and process validation.
• Experience working with food entrepreneurs, startups, incubators, innovation centers, or small-scale manufacturers.
• Grant writing, program development, or educational outreach experience.
• Bilingual or multilingual skills, particularly Spanish or Marshallese.
• Knowledge of food processing, food safety systems, food regulations, and product commercialization.
• Strong communication, relationship-building, and client-service skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively across technical, operational, and business functions.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

• Strong technical knowledge of food formulation, processing, and commercialization.
• Ability to translate complex food science and technology concepts into practical business recommendations.
• Excellent project management and organizational skills.
• Strong interpersonal, presentation, and consulting abilities.
• Ability to assess risk and make sound technical recommendations.
• Ability to work independently while contributing to a collaborative team environment.
• Commitment to customer service, innovation, and continuous improvement.

Success in This Role

Success in this position is measured by:

• Successful commercialization of client products.
• High levels of client satisfaction and engagement.
• Effective collaboration with operations and processing teams.
• Growth and continuous improvement of AFIC@MCO's product development services.
• Advancement of AFIC@MCO's mission to support local farmers, food entrepreneurs, and the regional food economy.

Qualification Equivalencies:

Additional Information:

Review of applications will begin October 30th and continue until position is filled

Commensurate with experience and educationCover Letter/Letter of Application, Curriculum Vitae, List of three Professional References (name, email, business title), Unofficial/Official Transcript(s)

Special Instructions to Applicants:

Erin Killeen, Director of Operations, AFIC @ MCO [email protected]

All application materials must be uploaded to the University of Arkansas System Career Site https://uasys.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/UASYS  

Please do not send to listed recruitment contact.

Pre-employment Screening Requirements:

Criminal Background Check, Motor Vehicle Reports Check

The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture may conduct pre-employment background checks on certain positions for applicants being considered for employment.The background checks may include a criminal background check and a sex offender registry check.Required checks are identified in the position listing.A criminal background check or arrest pending adjudication information alone shall not disqualify an applicant in the absences of a relationship to the requirements of the position.Background check information will be used in a consistent, non-discriminatory manner consistent with the state and federal law.

The University of Arkansas is an equal opportunity institution. The University does not discriminate in its education programs or activities (including in admission and employment) on the basis of any category or status protected by law, including age, race, color, national origin, disability, religion, protected veteran status, military service, genetic information, sex, sexual preference, or pregnancy. Questions or concerns about the application of Title IX, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex, may be sent to the University’s Title IX Coordinator and to the U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights.

Persons must have proof of legal authority to work in the United States on the first day of employment.

All application information is subject to public disclosure under the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act.

Constant Physical Activity:

Feeling, Hearing, Manipulate items with fingers, including keyboarding, Repetitive Motion, Sitting, Talking

Frequent Physical Activity:

Driving, Standing, Walking

Occasional Physical Activity:

N/A

Benefits Eligible:

Yes