A leading baked goods manufacturer is seeking a Senior Manager, Research & Development to join its team in Texas. This role will oversee a team of technical professionals while driving innovation, product commercialization, and process improvements across the business. The successful candidate will play a key role in scaling new products, optimizing costs, and supporting plant operations, while also enhancing current product offerings. Please note, this is an on-site role, located in the Northern Houston region. Relocation assistance is offered to candidates who require relocation. What You'll Do Oversee multiple R&D projects simultaneously, guiding them through a structured commercialization framework while balancing risk, cost, and operational feasibility. Drive initiatives aimed at improving commercialization outcomes, increasing efficiency, reducing expenses, and accelerating time-to-market. Provide clear updates on project progress using data, performance metrics, and regular team communication. Partner closely with cross-functional teams such as Quality, Operations, Engineering, and Procurement to address challenges and support business growth. Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing R&D team, including setting objectives, evaluating performance, and identifying development opportunities. Identify opportunities for innovation through ingredient functionality, formulation adjustments, and process enhancements. Assess and communicate technical and commercial risks to senior leadership. Support customer-facing technical discussions related to product capabilities and manufacturing processes. Contribute to process design and improvements tied to capacity expansion, cost optimization, and operational efficiency. Manage R&D priorities to ensure accuracy, consistency, and integrity of data and processes. What You'll Bring Degree in Food Science, Food Engineering, or a related field, with a strong emphasis on baking science. Extensive experience (10+ years) in bakery or food product development within a manufacturing setting, including at least 5 years in a leadership role. Proven track record of bringing new products from concept through full-scale production. Strong understanding of formulation, ingredient functionality, and raw materials. Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal. Familiarity with business tools such as Microsoft Office, SharePoint, and ERP systems. Knowledge of U.S. food regulations and industry standards. Hands-on development skills with the ability to move quickly from concept to execution. Background in baking, pastry, or food science innovation environments. Flexibility to support extended hours during production trials or scale-ups. Willingness to travel up to 25% as needed.