Kilcoy Global Foods North America · 1 day ago
R&D Project Manager
MUNDELEIN,IL,US
Full-time
Onsite
Senior Level
5+ years expKilcoy Global Foods North America is seeking an R&D Project Manager to lead their commercialization and innovation efforts. This role involves managing complex projects, collaborating with cross-functional teams, and ensuring timely product launches while maintaining strong project oversight.
Food and BeverageManufacturingMeat and PoultryRetailWholesale
Responsibilities
Lead the end-to-end commercialization of innovation, customization, renovation, and optimization projects
Own and manage detailed project plans, timelines, milestones, and deliverables, ensuring clear accountability across project owners and contributors
Anticipate risks, develop mitigation and contingency plans, track KPIs, and ensure projects are delivered on time and within scope
Simultaneously manage multiple complex projects while maintaining strong prioritization and execution discipline
Lead and facilitate cross-functional project meetings to drive alignment, resolve issues, and accelerate decision-making
Develop a deep understanding of Kilcoy’s innovation pipeline, operational capabilities, and commercial priorities to act as a true thought partner—not just a timeline manager
Clearly communicate project status, risks, and trade-offs to both technical and non-technical stakeholders
Translate technical results into clear, actionable recommendations to support business decisions
Lead packaging development initiatives, heavily leveraging supplier expertise and recommendations
Manage packaging suppliers in close partnership with Procurement
Validate all new packaging solutions against Kilcoy’s manufacturing and operational capabilities
Manage and execute packaging workflows, requests, and inquiries within the broader commercialization process
Drive packaging cost-savings initiatives aligned with company strategy, financial targets, and KPIs
Own the successful execution of pilot trials, scale-ups, post-scale-up activities, and first production runs for new product launches
Ensure readiness across R&D, Operations, Quality, and Supply Chain for seamless market introduction
Qualification
Required
Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Marketing, Business Administration, or a related field
3–5 years of experience in food product development
Minimum of 5 years of project management experience, preferably in a CPG or food manufacturing environment
Strong experience working within a Stage-Gate or similar structured innovation process
Excellent communication, influencing, prioritization, problem-solving, and project management skills
Strong critical thinking skills with the ability to connect project details to the broader business strategy
Proven ability to lead, influence, coach, and motivate cross-functional teams without direct authority
Highly organized with the ability to manage multiple priorities and challenge work sequencing when necessary
Calm, level-headed, and effective in fast-paced, ambiguous environments
Driven, resourceful, curious, and quick to learn
Must occasionally lift/move up to 40 lbs
Preferred
Master's degree in Food Science or MBA preferred
CPG experience strongly preferred
Company
Kilcoy Global Foods North America
Our roots run deep, first taking hold in Chicago's fabled meatpacking district in 1860.
201-500 employees
Funding
Current Stage
Growth StageLeadership Team
Lupe Roznowski
Human Resources Business Partner
Samantha Lehnert
HR Business Partner
Company data provided by crunchbase