Sr. Director of Research & Development

Sr. Director of Research & Development

Massillon, Ohio (Hybrid Schedule)

Role Overview

We are looking for a Senior Director of Research & Development to lead R&D within a fast-paced, private label and co-manufacturing snack business, encompassing salty snacks, cookies & crackers, and better-for-you platforms.

This leadership position blends deep technical expertise with strategic foresight—delivering consumer-relevant innovation, accelerating speed-to-market, and advancing customer trust and growth across multiple retail and branded platforms.  This is a people leader role, with direct responsibility for coaching, mentoring and developing a team.

Your Seat at the Table: 

• Define and drive a branded R&D strategy aligned with customer expectations, consumer trends, and corporate growth objectives.
• Translate category insights and national brand benchmarks into customized, ownable product solutions for retail partners.
• Lead the development and execution of a R&D pipeline tailored to private label customers—including fast-follow, renovation, and differentiated innovation—balancing speed-to-market and technical feasibility.
• Partner closely with retail customers and sales teams to understand brand needs, identify innovation opportunities, and develop exclusive product platforms that strengthen long-term partnerships.
• Drive both core portfolio support (renovation, regulatory compliance, and productivity) and innovation activation (new product launches, LTOs, and seasonal innovation), ensuring R&D alignment with commercialization objectives.
• Maintain and optimize R&D systems: formula repositories, specifications, samples, and process documentation; keeping these systems up-to-date and well-organized
• Build and manage strategic partnerships with suppliers, flavor houses, universities, and co-manufacturers to accelerate concept-to-launch timelines and enhance technical capabilities.
• Serve as the R&D lead on cross-functional commercialization teams, collaborating with Sales, Supply Chain, Procurement, and Regulatory to ensure products launch on time, in full, and on budget.
• Build and document gold standard recipes, conduct sensory evaluations, and lead shelf-life testing with regulatory and quality assurance teams to ensure food safety, compliance, and consistency.
• Partner with Quality to Maintain robust traceability, recall procedures, and recordkeeping systems for full compliance and product accountability.
• Lead and mentor a team of product developers and technical experts, fostering a high-performance and agility culture, strong customer focus, and technical thoroughness.
• Lead and scale a high-performing R&D team across product development, commercialization, regulatory, and culinary.
• Effectively prioritizes and allocates resources against company initiatives.
• Ensure each project we undertake meets the highest standards of quality, cost efficiency, and commercialization readiness criteria through disciplined product development.
• Own and lead select projects and initiatives.

What you Bring to the Table: 

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in food science, Food Engineering, or related discipline.
• 15+ years of progressive R&D leadership in CPG, preferably with experience in both private label and co-manufacturing environments.
• Deep technical expertise in salty snacks, including extrusion, frying, seasoning application, and baked technologies. (preferred).
• Proven track record of launching successful products across multiple retailers.
• Strong leadership presence with demonstrated ability to influence senior internal and external stakeholders.
• Experience leading teams within a matrixed, fast-paced, customer-driven environment.
• Strong leadership and communication skills; ability to influence across all levels and disciplines.

We Offer a Feast of Benefits

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Flexible Spending Account, Retirement Savings Plan with Match, Short Term Disability, Long Term Disability, Group Critical Accident Insurance, Group Critical Illness Insurance, Employee Assistance Plan and numerous opportunities to volunteer in the communities in which we operate.

You will be considered for employment in our inclusive workplace

Because at Shearer’s, we are committed to providing equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, amnesty, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

This is your invitation to apply now!

To all recruitment agencies: Shearer’s Snacks does not accept agency resumes. Please do not forward resumes to our jobs alias, employees or any other company location. Shearer’s is not responsible for any fees related to unsolicited resumes.

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