Research & Development Manager, Baked Goods

PRODUCT INNOVATION R&D: BAKED GOODS R&D MANAGER

Ardent Mills 

Ardent Mills is a premier flour-milling and ingredients company whose vision is to be the trusted partner in nurturing its customers, consumers and communities through innovative and nutritious grain-based solutions. Ardent Mills’ operations and services are supported by 35 community flour mills, three bakery-mix facilities and a specialty bakery, all located in the U.S., Canada and Puerto Rico. Deeply rooted in communities throughout North America, Ardent Mills employs more than 100 certified millers, supporting thousands of local jobs and contributing billions of dollars to local economies. 

Position Purpose: 

Ardent Mills is looking for a Baked Goods R&D Manager. This is a pivotal role within Product Innovation, responsible for steering science and indulgence towards tangible outcomes. This leadership position involves overseeing the planning, execution, and integration of cutting-edge projects with the aim of developing new products, services, and processes -- or enhancing existing ones. R&D Managers are the architects of progress, balancing technical expertise with strategic vision to ensure that investments in research yield viable, market-ready solutions. They act as a bridge between the visionary and practical aspects of innovation, aligning the efforts of product developers with the company's business goals and market demands.

The Baked Goods R&D Manager is an intrinsic member of the Product Innovation R&D team and will support team members with career planning and development, expand skills set as nurture cross functional partner relationships. With a focus on various CPG channels, this person will play an important role in maximizing the successful utilization of Ardent Mills’ ingredients in customer projects – innovation and/or renovation.

A successful candidate will have the following attributes: 

• The ability to deliver results in first-time situations by inspiring others and working to earn trust every day.  

• The willingness to serve others with understanding, respect, and care.  

• The ability to operate with simplicity, clarity and transparency.  

• The willingness to effectively deal with and drive change.  

• The ability to organize, prioritize and own multiple tasks while meeting and/or exceeding deadlines.  

• The ability to learn and apply new technology, with the willingness to share knowledge with others.  

Above all you will be expected to carry out all your activities with reliability, integrity, compliance and in a safe, environmentally responsible, and efficient manner. 

POSITION OVERVIEW:

The Baked Goods R&D Manager is responsible for leading research and development initiatives, overseeing a team of scientists, and ensuring that projects align with the company’s strategic goals. The role involves fostering a culture of innovation.

The Baked Goods R&D Manager will set priorities and allocate resources to support/lead projects. This position will work with direct reports to determine goals and timetables for projects, and ensure diligence in development, scale-up and commercialization of technologies, new ingredients and applications. This role will provide technical knowledge, leveraging product and process development principles and validation methodologies and will resolve resource allocation and timing issues to ensure that business objectives are achieved or exceeded. In addition, the Baked Goods R&D Manager is a key Sales team partner, ensuring full customer engagement and support while enabling success across key accounts.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Project Supervision
  • Oversee the planning, execution, and completion of R&D projects, ensuring that timelines, budgets, and objectives are met.
  • Manage project resources, including personnel and equipment, to maximize efficiency and effectiveness.
  • Baked goods process development leadership from concept to commercialization, partnering with Product Developer, Marketing, Operations, Quality and customers to bring concepts to life
• Innovation
  • Lead process development of next generation baked goods (e.g., gluten free, artisan breads, laminated doughs, crackers, cookies, biscuits, etc)
  • Identify, design, conduct, and document research on baked goods applications and technologies 
  • Actively explore novel technologies and ingredients through interactions with vendors, suppliers, and attendance of tradeshows.
• Team Leadership and Mentoring
  • Lead, mentor, and support the Baked Goods R&D team, promoting a culture of collaboration and high performance.
  • Conduct performance evaluations, provide feedback, and identify opportunities for professional development.
  • Encourage continuous learning and stay updated with the latest scientific and technological advancements to ensure the team operates at the cutting edge of the industry.
  • Ensure technical excellence in all areas – ingredient characterization, sensory, formula & process development, scale-up, troubleshooting, implementation of statistical and analytical tools
  • Develop customer relationships, leading engagement beyond transactional scope and towards a strategic partnership. Technical education of key customers and stakeholders will be critical responsibility of this role.
• Collaboration and Communication
  • Collaborate with other departments, including marketing, sales, and manufacturing, to ensure that R&D efforts are aligned with business needs and market demand.
  • Communicate the progress, challenges, and outcomes of R&D projects to senior management, providing regular updates and recommendations for future actions.
  • Manage relationships with external partners, including universities, research institutions, and suppliers, to foster collaboration and access new technologies or knowledge.
  • Interfacing with suppliers and industry professionals. 
• Regulatory and Legal
  • Ensure that all R&D activities comply with relevant industry regulations, quality standards, and safety protocols.
  • Oversee the proper documentation of research activities, including lab notebooks, invention disclosures, product certifications, and technical transfer reports, to protect intellectual property and ensure regulatory compliance.

ESSENTIAL SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in a relevant scientific or technical field (e.g., chemistry, engineering, biology).
• 9 years of experience in R&D, with at least 4 years in a managerial or leadership role.
• Strong project management skills, with experience leading complex research projects from concept to completion.
• Excellent communication and leadership abilities.
• Knowledge of bakery operations and production equipment.
• Leadership: Strong leadership skills with the ability to manage and inspire R&D teams to deliver high-quality research and innovation.
• Technical Excellence: Deep understanding of food chemistry, analytical chemistry, statistics, sensory science, process development and Ardent Mills products. Extensive experience working with flavor and seasoning houses, leveraging capabilities towards indulgent food design. Familiarity with variety of process technologies required, including but not limited to:
  • Horizontal, planetary, vacuum and high speed dough/batter mixing systems
  • Batter depositing
  • Dough dividing and forming
  • Bread moulding
  • Rotary moulding
  • Proofing
  • Ovens
  • Coating systems (e.g., egg wash)
• Product launch experience – consumer or raw materials – highly desirable
• Problem-Solving: Resilient and demonstrated ability to solve complex technical problems
• Communication: Excellent communication skills for presenting research findings to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.

DESIRABLE SKILLS:

• Sensory: analytical (R&D, Operations) and affective (consumer)
• Comfortable stretching outside of comfort zone, intellectually curious, strong critical and analytical thinking skills and a passion for food science
• Global Experience: consumer packaged goods companies, ingredient suppliers, flavor & fragrance suppliers

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS AND WORKING CONDITIONS (WITH OR WITHOUT REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION):

• Travel: 20-30%
• Capable of conducting work at company facility, third party pilot plants, with potential visits to manufacturing facilities (company owned, third party)

At Ardent Mills, everyone matters and everyone has a voice. We are committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal opportunities are available to all applicants and team members and the decisions will be based on merit, competence, performance, and business needs. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, national origin, aboriginality, ancestry, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, physical or mental disability, pregnancy, genetic information, veteran status, age, political affiliation, or any other non-merit characteristic protected by law or not. Together, celebrating our differences, we make Ardent Mills.

The preceding position description has been designed to indicate the general nature and essential duties and responsibilities of work performed by employees within this position. It may not contain a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees in this position. The description, duties, functions, and responsibilities are subject to change at the discretion of Ardent Mills.

Location:

Denver CO

Address:

1875 Lawrence Street, Denver CO, 80202

Additional Locations (if applicable):

Employment Type:

Full time

Additional Information:

Competitive Compensation:

We provide market-driven base pay, based on skills, abilities, and level of experiences. Our salary ranges are broad, and individual salary will be market competitive based on a candidate’s unique set of skills and level of experience. The starting range for this position is $102,600.00 - $136,896.10, with additional earning potential possible commensurate with experience. Additionally, we believe that our team members are the reason for our success and all team members are incentive eligible with a target based on contribution, company performance, and individual results achieved. While the specific bonus plan and target amount will be determined based on the role and breadth of contributions, the targeted bonus plan and targeted percentage amount for this role is Bonus - MIP, 15% Annual.

Benefits:

At Ardent Mills we offer a wide range of benefits to our team members and their eligible family members. Some of our great benefit programs you may be eligible for include: • Medical, Dental and Vision Coverage• Health and Dependent Savings Accounts • Life and Disability Programs • Voluntary Benefit Programs • Company Sponsored Wellness Programs • Retirement Savings with Company Match • Team Member and Family Assistance Program (EAP) • Paid Time Off and Paid Holidays • Employee Recognition Program with Rewards (RAVE).

Application Deadline:

05/24/2025

05/24/2025

EEO Commitment:

At Ardent Mills, everyone matters and everyone has a voice. We are committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal opportunities are available to all applicants and team members and the decisions will be based on merit, competence, performance, and business needs. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, physical or mental disability, pregnancy, genetic information, veteran status, age, political affiliation, or any other non-merit characteristic protected by law or not. Together, celebrating our differences, we make Ardent Mills. The preceding position description has been designed to indicate the general nature and essential duties and responsibilities of work performed by employees within this position. It may not contain a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees in this position. The description, duties, functions, and responsibilities are subject to change at the discretion of Ardent Mills.

En Ardent Mills, todos importan y todos tienen voz. Estamos comprometidos a brindar un ambiente de respeto mutuo donde haya igualdad de oportunidades disponibles para todos los solicitantes y miembros del equipo y las decisiones se basarán en el mérito, la competencia, el desempeño y las necesidades comerciales. Estamos orgullosos de ser un empleador que ofrece igualdad de oportunidades. No discriminamos por motivos de raza, color, religión, credo, origen nacional, ascendencia, estado civil, sexo, orientación sexual, identidad o expresión de género, discapacidad física o mental, embarazo, información genética, condición de veterano, edad, política. afiliación, o cualquier otra característica no meritoria protegida por ley o no. Juntos, celebrando nuestras diferencias, formamos Ardent Mills. La descripción del puesto anterior ha sido diseñada para indicar la naturaleza general y los deberes y responsabilidades esenciales del trabajo realizado por los empleados dentro de este puesto. Es posible que no contenga un inventario completo de todos los deberes, responsabilidades y calificaciones requeridas de los empleados en este puesto. La descripción, los deberes, las funciones y las responsabilidades están sujetos a cambios a discreción de Ardent Mills.

Recruitment Fraud Disclaimer:

Salary : $102,600 - $136,896