Technical Manager Recruitment
Director of Technical & R&D Recruitment for US Food Manufacturing
Director of Technical & R&D Recruitment for US Food Manufacturing
Director of Technical and Director of R&D roles sit at the intersection of Quality, Production, and Innovation in US food manufacturing — owning specifications, supplier technical approval, regulatory compliance, and the technical side of the NPD pipeline. Our search finds leaders who can run customer technical reviews with national retailers and foodservice operators, manage allergen and labelling compliance under FDA and USDA rules, and turn consumer trends into commercially viable products.
Director of Technical & R&D Recruitment for US Food Manufacturing
Director of Technical and Director of R&D roles sit at the intersection of Quality, Production, and Innovation in US food manufacturing — owning specifications, supplier technical approval, regulatory compliance, and the technical side of the NPD pipeline. Our search finds leaders who can run customer technical reviews with national retailers and foodservice operators, manage allergen and labelling compliance under FDA and USDA rules, and turn consumer trends into commercially viable products.
Typical Technical Manager Requirements:
Degree in Food Science, Food Technology, Microbiology, or Chemistry. 7–10+ years technical experience in US food manufacturing. Strong NPD project management track record (stage-gate, PRINCE2, or Agile). Deep US food labelling and regulatory knowledge (FDA, USDA, FALCPA, Prop 65, Bioengineered Food rule). Customer technical management with national retailers, foodservice, or club channel. Supplier technical approval and audit experience. Sensory, shelf-life, and challenge-study oversight. Allergen, nutrition, and claims substantiation expertise.
Technical Specialisms:
NPD and Product Development. Customer Technical Management (Walmart, Costco, Target, Kroger, foodservice). Supplier Quality and Technical Approval. Sensory and Consumer Insights. Regulatory and Labelling Compliance. Clean-Label and Free-From Reformulation. Sustainability, Packaging, and ESG Innovation. Co-Manufacturer Technical Oversight.
Base Salary Ranges (2026):
Northeast: $155,000 – $200,000
Midwest: $140,000 – $175,000
Southeast: $135,000 – $170,000
West Coast: $160,000 – $210,000
Add 12–22% target bonus, 401(k) match, full benefits, and equity at PE-backed firms.
Why Our Technical Manager Recruitment Works:
Technical leaders in US food manufacturing need a blend of food science, commercial awareness, and regulatory rigour. Our candidates have launched products into national retail and foodservice, managed customer technical audits, and built supplier technical programs spanning ingredient houses and co-manufacturers. They understand the tension between margin and innovation, and the regulatory weight of FDA and USDA-regulated products. With Williams365, you have a full 12 months to evaluate their ability to deliver a complete launch cycle.
Typical Benefits:
Annual bonus 12–22%. 401(k) with 4–6% employer match. Full medical, dental, and vision. Life and disability insurance. 15–25 days PTO plus paid holidays. Hybrid working at many ingredient and innovation-led businesses. Professional memberships (IFT, RAPS, AOAC). Relocation package. RSUs or equity at PE-backed and pre-IPO firms.
Recent Technical Manager Placements:
Director of Technical — Organic Dairy (12 SKUs launched into national retail year one)
Director of NPD — Plant-Based Protein (built innovation team from scratch, 3 platform launches)
VP Technical Services — Confectionery Group (consolidated supplier base from 140 to 90)
Director of Customer Technical — Refrigerated Ready Meals (Walmart and Kroger technical leadership)
Typical Technical Manager Requirements:
Degree in Food Science, Food Technology, Microbiology, or Chemistry. 7–10+ years technical experience in US food manufacturing. Strong NPD project management track record (stage-gate, PRINCE2, or Agile). Deep US food labelling and regulatory knowledge (FDA, USDA, FALCPA, Prop 65, Bioengineered Food rule). Customer technical management with national retailers, foodservice, or club channel. Supplier technical approval and audit experience. Sensory, shelf-life, and challenge-study oversight. Allergen, nutrition, and claims substantiation expertise.
Typical Benefits:
Annual bonus 12–22%. 401(k) with 4–6% employer match. Full medical, dental, and vision. Life and disability insurance. 15–25 days PTO plus paid holidays. Hybrid working at many ingredient and innovation-led businesses. Professional memberships (IFT, RAPS, AOAC). Relocation package. RSUs or equity at PE-backed and pre-IPO firms.
Why Our Technical Manager Recruitment Works:
Technical leaders in US food manufacturing need a blend of food science, commercial awareness, and regulatory rigour. Our candidates have launched products into national retail and foodservice, managed customer technical audits, and built supplier technical programs spanning ingredient houses and co-manufacturers. They understand the tension between margin and innovation, and the regulatory weight of FDA and USDA-regulated products. With Williams365, you have a full 12 months to evaluate their ability to deliver a complete launch cycle.
Base Salary Ranges (2026):
Northeast: $155,000 – $200,000
Midwest: $140,000 – $175,000
Southeast: $135,000 – $170,000
West Coast: $160,000 – $210,000
Add 12–22% target bonus, 401(k) match, full benefits, and equity at PE-backed firms.
Technical Specialisms:
NPD and Product Development. Customer Technical Management (Walmart, Costco, Target, Kroger, foodservice). Supplier Quality and Technical Approval. Sensory and Consumer Insights. Regulatory and Labelling Compliance. Clean-Label and Free-From Reformulation. Sustainability, Packaging, and ESG Innovation. Co-Manufacturer Technical Oversight.
Recent Technical Manager Placements:
Director of Technical — Organic Dairy (12 SKUs launched into national retail year one)
Director of NPD — Plant-Based Protein (built innovation team from scratch, 3 platform launches)
VP Technical Services — Confectionery Group (consolidated supplier base from 140 to 90)
Director of Customer Technical — Refrigerated Ready Meals (Walmart and Kroger technical leadership)
Typical Technical Manager Requirements:
Degree in Food Science, Food Technology, Microbiology, or Chemistry. 7–10+ years technical experience in US food manufacturing. Strong NPD project management track record (stage-gate, PRINCE2, or Agile). Deep US food labelling and regulatory knowledge (FDA, USDA, FALCPA, Prop 65, Bioengineered Food rule). Customer technical management with national retailers, foodservice, or club channel. Supplier technical approval and audit experience. Sensory, shelf-life, and challenge-study oversight. Allergen, nutrition, and claims substantiation expertise.
Base Salary Ranges (2026):
Northeast: $155,000 – $200,000
Midwest: $140,000 – $175,000
Southeast: $135,000 – $170,000
West Coast: $160,000 – $210,000
Add 12–22% target bonus, 401(k) match, full benefits, and equity at PE-backed firms.
Typical Benefits:
Annual bonus 12–22%. 401(k) with 4–6% employer match. Full medical, dental, and vision. Life and disability insurance. 15–25 days PTO plus paid holidays. Hybrid working at many ingredient and innovation-led businesses. Professional memberships (IFT, RAPS, AOAC). Relocation package. RSUs or equity at PE-backed and pre-IPO firms.
Technical Specialisms:
NPD and Product Development. Customer Technical Management (Walmart, Costco, Target, Kroger, foodservice). Supplier Quality and Technical Approval. Sensory and Consumer Insights. Regulatory and Labelling Compliance. Clean-Label and Free-From Reformulation. Sustainability, Packaging, and ESG Innovation. Co-Manufacturer Technical Oversight.
Why Our Technical Manager Recruitment Works:
Technical leaders in US food manufacturing need a blend of food science, commercial awareness, and regulatory rigour. Our candidates have launched products into national retail and foodservice, managed customer technical audits, and built supplier technical programs spanning ingredient houses and co-manufacturers. They understand the tension between margin and innovation, and the regulatory weight of FDA and USDA-regulated products. With Williams365, you have a full 12 months to evaluate their ability to deliver a complete launch cycle.
Recent Technical Manager Placements:
Director of Technical — Organic Dairy (12 SKUs launched into national retail year one)
Director of NPD — Plant-Based Protein (built innovation team from scratch, 3 platform launches)
VP Technical Services — Confectionery Group (consolidated supplier base from 140 to 90)
Director of Customer Technical — Refrigerated Ready Meals (Walmart and Kroger technical leadership)
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