Director of Research & Development (R&D)

Shearer's is a leading contract manufacturer and private label supplier in the snack industry in North America. Headquartered in Massillon, Ohio, Shearer's has 17 state-of-the-art, geographically diverse manufacturing facilities in Ohio, Texas, Arkansas, Arizona, Minnesota, Pennsylvania,Virginia, Iowa, Ontario and Alberta, Canada, including one of the industry's first Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design platinum LEED certified facilities in Massillon, Ohio. The Company is known for producing the highest quality snacks in assorted flavors and sizes, including kettle cooked potato chips, traditional potato chips, tortilla chips, cheese curls and other extruded snacks, and corn chips, as well as cookies, crackers, and wafers.

Director of Research & Development

Massillon, Ohio (Hybrid Schedule)

Position Summary

We are seeking a hands-on and strategic Director of Research and Development to lead end-to-end product development within our Salty Snacks and Cookies/Crackers categories. This individual will be responsible for managing the day-to-day execution of product development activities-from concept through commercialization-and ensuring alignment with cross-functional partners to deliver high-quality, scalable, and cost-effective solutions. The role requires strong technical depth, cross-functional leadership, and operational focus within a manufacturing environment. As a leader in the organization, you will drive the product development pipeline, mentor a developing team and build strategic partnerships that advance our 5-year growth plan.

Your Seat at the Table:

• Lead and manage the execution of benchtop formulations, plant trials, and plant-scale commercialization for both new product development and existing product improvements.
• Translate product concepts into manufacturing-ready formulations that meet sensory, cost, shelf life, and regulatory requirements.
• Guide development timelines from ideation to launch, ensuring adherence to Stage Gate milestones and timely completion of all technical documentation.

• Direct and mentor a team of food technologists and technicians; provide technical guidance, project prioritization, and career development coaching.
• Oversee daily workstreams, troubleshoot project hurdles, and drive accountability for team deliverables, and create SOPs.
• Collaborate daily with Operations, Quality, Procurement, Supply Chain, and Commercialization teams to ensure seamless product launches and reformulations.
• Participate in commercialization meetings, plant trials, sensory reviews, and technical risk assessments.
• Support Packaging Engineering on packaging compatibility and shelf-life studies.
• Maintain and update project trackers, monitor workload balancing, resource needs, and project risk mitigation strategies.
• Engage with ingredient and seasoning suppliers to source innovative materials and troubleshoot formulation challenges and drive product enhancements.
• Partner with vendors to validate functionality, secure samples, and assess cost-in-use implications.
• Ensure all formulations comply with internal nutritional targets, customer-specific requirements, labeling regulations, and FDA/USDA standards.
• Work with Regulatory Affairs to finalize specifications, ingredient statements, and allergen declarations.

What you Bring to the Table:

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Food Science, Food Engineering, or a related field.
• 10-15 years of hands-on product development experience in the food and beverage industry, preferably in salty snacks, bakery, or adjacent categories.
• Strong technical background in formulation, extrusion, frying, baking, and/or seasoning systems.
• Demonstrated success in commercializing products in a manufacturing environment.
• Proven ability to lead and develop teams, manage cross-functional collaboration, and deliver against aggressive timelines.
• Solid understanding of sensory testing methodologies, shelf-life validation, and cost optimization strategies.
• Highly detail-oriented with strong organizational and project management skills.
• Knowledge of labeling, nutrition, and regulatory compliance.
• Able to be self-directed, forward thinking and make complex decisions that drive business innovation and performance.
• Exceptional leadership, coaching, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to thrive in a fast-paced organization.

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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