Description King’s Command is seeking a qualified candidate to lead our Research & Development team at our facility located in Versailles, OH. The Research & Development (R&D) Manager is responsible for leading the R&D team in new product development, testing, commercialization, least cost formulation, and process improvement activities. The R&D Manager will work closely with Sales, Customers, Operations, Quality Assurance / Food Safety, Supply Chain Management, and Finance on product-development projects from initial customer concept through full-scale commercialization and optimization of existing products that improve product performance and provide cost savings while maintaining compliance with food safety and regulatory requirements. This is a hands-on leadership position requiring strong technical knowledge of meat science, ingredient functionality, further-processing methods, and commercial food manufacturing. Requirements Essential Duties and Responsibilities New Product Development & Formulation • Lead the development of new products from initial concept through commercialization. • Develop and modify formulations based on customer requirements, product specifications, processing capabilities, nutritional targets, and cost objectives. • Develop customer samples and prototypes for evaluation and approval. • Develop products that achieve desired flavor, texture, appearance, cook characteristics, yield, and shelf life. • Lead the transition of products from laboratory or pilot development into full-scale commercial production. · Ensure finalized formulas, specifications, processing instructions, and product standards are accurately documented and communicated. Food Safety, Quality & Regulatory Compliance • Work closely with Quality Assurance/Food Safety to ensure new and modified products meet regulatory and customer requirements. • Assist with the development and review of product specifications, ingredient statements, nutritional information, allergen declarations, processing requirements, and labeling information. • Ensure appropriate testing and validation are completed for new products and significant formulation or process changes. • Maintain accurate R&D records and documentation to support regulatory, customer, and internal requirements. Product Improvement / Cost Reduction • Work with Operations and Procurement to optimize raw material utilization while maintaining product quality and customer specifications. • Identify opportunities to reduce formulation costs without negatively affecting quality, food safety, regulatory compliance, or customer expectations. • Assist in establishing yield standards for new and existing products. • Participate in continuous improvement initiatives related to yield, waste, rework, throughput, and product consistency. R&D Leadership • Lead and develop R&D personnel, including R&D Technicians, Product Developers, and other technical staff, as applicable. • Establish priorities for R&D projects based on customer and business needs. • Assign projects and monitor progress against established timelines. • Establish consistent R&D procedures and documentation practices. • Maintain confidentiality and appropriate controls over proprietary formulas, customer information, and intellectual property. Education & Experience Required • Bachelor's degree in Meat Science, Food Science, Food Technology, or a related technical discipline. • Minimum 3-5 years of progressive R&D / product-development experience. • Strong analytical, problem-solving, organizational, and communication skills. Preferred • Direct experience with meat, poultry, or protein further processing. • Previous R&D leadership or management experience. • Experience with USDA-regulated manufacturing facilities. • HACCP certification. Knowledge, Skills & Abilities • Strong knowledge of meat science, ingredient functionality, commercial meat processing equipment and practices. • Demonstrated experience with commercial product development and commercialization. • Ability to manage multiple projects and competing priorities. • Ability to effectively communicate both verbally and in writing with production employees, senior leadership, customers, suppliers, and technical professionals. • Ability to work independently while leading cross-functional projects. • Hands-on experience conducting plant trials and scaling products from bench or pilot development into full production. • Strong attention to detail and documentation. • Strong understanding of yield and the financial impact of formulations and processing decisions.