First Search Inc. · 1 day ago
Senior R&D Manager
San Antonio, Texas Metropolitan Area
Full-time
Onsite
Senior Level, Lead/Staff
10+ years expFirst Search Inc. is a company focused on bakery product development, and they are seeking a Senior R&D Manager to lead their Bakery R&D Team. This role involves strategic leadership, technical oversight, and collaboration with various teams to ensure successful product innovation and commercialization.
Staffing & Recruiting
Hiring Manager
Sarah Katz
Responsibilities
Lead and develop a team of scientists, providing guidance, strategic direction, and critical decision-making support on project scope, feasibility, and execution
Oversee the investigation, planning, and commercialization of new products and processes, driving innovation and growth across the bakery category
Evaluate incoming project requests and allocate team resources effectively based on capability, workload, and business priorities
Track and report project progress, ensuring accurate documentation and strong communication across R&D, Sales, Marketing, and Operations
Conduct regular one-on-one and team meetings to review project milestones, address challenges, and plan next steps
Champion the professional growth of R&D team members through tailored development plans aligned with the company’s High-Performance Team culture
Build and maintain strong cross-functional relationships to support efficient project delivery and continuous improvement
Participate in customer and category planning meetings to identify opportunities, assess feasibility, and lead the execution of resulting initiatives
Provide technical leadership in the optimization of existing products, scaling formulations from bench to commercialization
Assist in the development of formulations, processing parameters, and technical specifications to ensure successful transition to production
Conduct performance reviews, provide coaching, and ensure team alignment with company goals and PMD guidelines
Perform other related duties as assigned
Qualification
Required
Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Baking Science, or a related technical field required; advanced degree preferred
Minimum 10 years of R&D and/or Technical Services experience within food manufacturing, with strong exposure to commercial bakery products
Proven success managing and developing high-performing technical teams, including resource planning and performance management
Demonstrated experience leading new product and process development through commercialization
Experience collaborating with customers, suppliers, co-manufacturers, and cross-functional partners to deliver product innovation
Strong understanding of food science principles, ingredient functionality, and bakery process technology
Broad knowledge of food ingredients, with specific expertise in grain-based systems preferred
Demonstrated problem-solving capability in plant environments, including troubleshooting and root cause analysis
Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote) and related R&D or specification software
Familiarity with GMPs, AIB standards, and regulatory compliance in food manufacturing
Excellent written and verbal communication skills; capable of presenting technical content to varied audiences including customers and trade groups
Ability to manage multiple priorities, balance short- and long-term objectives, and meet tight deadlines
Strong interpersonal and leadership skills, with the ability to influence at all levels of the organization
Proven ability to train and transfer technical knowledge to Operations, QA, and other plant teams
Demonstrated curiosity and enthusiasm for emerging food trends, new technologies, and continuous learning
Company
First Search Inc.
For over 40 years, First Search has transformed how companies hire (and how candidates get selected) with results that outpace the industry norms for companies like Motorola, T-Mobile, Pulte Homes, Fluor Corporation, and Salesforce partners.
2-10 employees
Funding
Current Stage
Early StageLeadership Team
Allen Katz
Chief Employment Officer (CEO)
Company data provided by crunchbase