Job Description

Have an appetite for more?

Join a leading global bakery group powered by ambitious people who are truly passionate about delivering the best in everything they do.

With business in mind and people at heart we always work together to influence our road ahead. We want you to be part of our growth journey and of a great, global family.

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Research & Development Manager - Bread to join our Lantmännen Unibake USA team located in St. Petersburg, Florida.

Come be part of an exciting, Global organization whose Vision is towards billions of smiling tummies through our Mission of leading the bakery business sustainably with the scale, knowledge and drive to be loved in every country. Voted Great Place to Work four consecutive years with 97% of employees at Lantmannen Unibake USA saying it is a great place to work! Ranked #6, 8, and 15 in the US for 2023-2025 Best Workplaces in Manufacturing & Production for Small & Medium Sized Business by Fortune Best Places to Work.

Candidate MUST live in the St. Petersburg area, or be willing to relocate.

What we offer to you

• Competitive salary & bonus structure
• Company issued Computer, Cell Phone
• Comprehensive, affordable benefits plan that includes health, dental, vision, LTD, STD, life insurance
• 401K with a healthy company match
• Generous paid time off (PTO)
• 10 paid holidays
• Opportunity for both personal & professional growth

This is what you will do

The R&D Manager - Bread leads the development of artisan bread products, overseeing all aspects of product formulation, testing, and commercialization. This role requires deep technical expertise in artisan bread development and strong project management skills. You will need to collaborate cross-functionally with the Sales, Operations, Quality, and Finance teams.

As R&D Manager - Bread, you will lead the R&D function for bread, ensuring all new and existing products are developed, maintained, and commercialized with accuracy, efficiency, and alignment to business goals.

Primary areas of responsibility:

1. Manage complex product development projects with minimal supervision, ensuring objectives, budgets, and timelines are met.
2. Document work throughout the NPD stage-gate process and provide required materials for weekly Category Table meetings.
3. Proactively address challenges related to ingredient sourcing, formulation adjustments, and process improvements.
4. Lead and manage the development of new recipes supporting innovation and new product initiatives.
5. Adjust existing recipes to optimize profitability and performance.
6. Develop, prepare, and present bench samples for testing new formulations.
7. Manage cross-functional teams during line trials to validate recipes and establish optimal manufacturing settings.
8. Assist in identifying new and unique concepts, ingredients, formulas, and prototypes during ideation and creation stages of NPD.

Additional Responsibilities:

• Participate in annual trade shows (NACS & IDDBA) and support cross-functional preparation and execution.
• Stay informed of industry trends, competitor activity, and emerging technologies.
• Perform other related duties as requested or assigned.

This is what you need to succeed:

Qualifications:

To perform this job successfully, you must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• 6 – 8+ years of experience in artisan bread product development
• BA/BS in Food Science, Culinary Arts, or related field preferred, but not required
• Strong understanding of ingredient functionality and bakery formulations
• Experience with commercial bakery equipment such as Mecatherm, Rheon, and Koenig lines
• Excellent problem-solving, analytical and documentation skills
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Highly organized with ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously
• Professionalism, adaptability, and strong ethical standards
• Proficiency with Word, Excel, and ERP systems
• Bilingual English/Spanish preferred but not required.
• Strong sense of urgency; self-motivated
• Ability to travel as needed

Your “power skills”

• Project Management – Ability to manage multiple projects, shift priorities, and collaborate cross-functionally.
• Planning & Organizing – Efficient time management, goal setting, and task delegation.
• Problem Solving – Strong analytical skills and sound judgment in group and individual settings.
• Technical Skills – Deep understanding of commercial baking principles, ingredient functionality, and product development.
• People Skills – Active listening, strict confidentiality; openness to innovative ideas, and emotional control.
• Teamwork – Collaborative mindset, constructive feedback, and commitment to team success.
• Oral Communication – Clear, persuasive communication and active participation in meetings.
• Written Communication – clear, informative writing with strong data presentation skills.
• Safety and Security – Adherence to safety protocols and initiative-taking risk identification.

Best Practices

• Support production teams during scale-up, trials, and troubleshooting to ensure smooth transitions from concept to commercialization.
• Analyze and interpret data to guide development work and provide clear direction on project needs.

Regulatory & Safety

• Maintain all product nutritional information with the R&D Specialist for Bread and Pretzel categories.
• Ensure all products meet food safety and quality standards as outlined by BRC and other relevant certifications.
• Stay current with Genesis nutritional software.
• Follow all safety and security procedures; report unsafe conditions; use equipment and materials properly.

Certificates and Licenses:

No certifications needed.

Sounds interesting?

We will interview ongoing so please don’t hesitate to send your application by submitting your resume and cover letter for review.

If you have any questions about the position or recruitment process you are welcome to contact Kathy Komerska at kathy.komerska@lantmannen.com.

All applications must be completed in English and will be treated confidentially.