R & D / Product Development Manager

About Ethel’s Baking Company

Ethel’s Baking Company is a growing specialty bakery dedicated to producing premium gluten-free baked goods that deliver exceptional taste, texture, and quality. By combining traditional baking craftsmanship with modern food science, we develop products that meet the needs of today’s consumers without compromising flavor or indulgence.

Our team is passionate about creating baked goods that everyone can enjoy. Through rigorous research and development, high manufacturing standards, and a strong commitment to food safety, we ensure that every product leaving our facility meets the highest expectations for quality and consistency.

At Ethel’s, we value innovation, collaboration, and continuous improvement. Our employees play a critical role in developing new products, improving processes, and maintaining the high standards that define our brand. We are proud to foster a workplace culture focused on teamwork, accountability, and a shared commitment to excellence.

If you are passionate about great food, quality production, and being part of a team that is redefining gluten-free baking, Ethel’s Baking Company offers an exciting opportunity to grow and make an impact.

Position Summary

The R&D / Product Development Manager is responsible for the development, optimization, and commercialization of gluten-free baked products within a commercial production environment. This role combines hands-on formulation expertise with cross-functional collaboration to deliver high-quality, compliant, and cost-effective products. The position serves as a technical leader and primary execution owner for baking initiatives, supporting business growth through product innovation and continuous improvement.

Key Responsibilities

Product Development & Formulation

• Develop, formulate, and optimize gluten-free & clean label baked goods, including dessert bars, cookies, cakes, and related products.
• Apply food science principles to improve taste, texture, structure, shelf life, and nutritional profiles.
• Evaluate and test ingredients (e.g., alternative flours, starches, gums, fibers, protein, enzymes) for functionality, shelf-life optimization and overall performance.
• Conduct bench-top, pilot, and plant trials to support new product development, process and product improvements.

Scale-Up & Commercialization

• Lead formulation and process scale-up from test kitchen to full commercial production.
• Partner with Operations, Quality Assurance, and Engineering to ensure smooth product launches and ongoing production stability and consistency.
• Troubleshoot formulation, process, and quality issues related to baking performance, yield, and finished product consistency.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives to reduce waste, improve yields, and enhance operational efficiency.
• Support cost reduction initiatives and ingredient sourcing.

Quality, Food Safety & Compliance

• Ensure all R& D and product development activities comply with FDA, FSMA, GMP, GFCO, SQF, Kosher, and applicable state and local regulations.
• Support gluten-free certification requirements, allergen management programs, and cross-contact prevention protocols.
• Assist with label review, ingredient statements, nutrition facts, and product specifications.
• Collaborate with QA to establish and maintain SOPs, product standards, and validation documentation.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Work closely with Operations, Quality Assurance, Procurement, Sales, Marketing, and Supply Chain to align R&D priorities and product development with business needs.
• Serve as the primary technical resource for product development projects and production-related challenges.
• Communicate project timelines, trial results, and technical recommendations to management.

Team & Project Leadership

• Provide technical guidance to Production Team and Quality Assurance Team.
• Manage multiple development projects simultaneously, ensuring timelines and deliverables are met.
• Support training of production staff on new products, formulations, and process changes.
• Demonstrate creativity, ingenuity and a passion for baking.

Supplier & Ingredient Management

• Partner with ingredient suppliers to source, evaluate, and validate raw materials.
• Coordinate ingredient trials and maintain technical documentation related to ingredient performance.
• Support cost optimization efforts through ingredient and formulation evaluation.
• Evaluate new technologies, ingredients, and processing methods relevant to gluten-free baking.

Qualifications

Required

• 5+ years of experience in baked goods R&D, with direct experience in gluten-free formulation.
• Proven experience supporting product scale-up and commercial manufacturing.
• Experience in commercial or industrial baking operations.
• Strong understanding of gluten-free systems, ingredient functionality and baking processes.
• Working knowledge of food safety systems (HACCP, FSMA, GMPs), allergen control, and regulatory compliance.
• Ability to work effectively in both test kitchen and production floor environments.

Preferred

• Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Cereal Science, Chemistry, or a related field.
• Familiarity with gluten-free certification programs and third-party audits.
• Experience in cost modeling, shelf-life testing, and sensory evaluation.

Key Competencies

• Hands-on gluten-free baking expertise.
• Passion for baking and creativity.
• Commercialization and Scale-up execution.
• Practical problem-solving and critical thinking in production environments.
• Strong project management and organizational skills.
• Cross-functional communication and collaboration.
• Technical documentation and process discipline.
• Continuous improvement mindset.

Work Environment & Physical Requirements

• Combination of office, bench-top, and production floor settings.
• Ability to stand for extended periods, lift moderate weights, and wear required PPE.
• Occasional travel to suppliers or manufacturing sites may be required.

Compensation

· Salary range: $70K - $85K annually, depending on experience and qualifications.

· Medical, Dental, Vision Insurance at a shared cost

· Paid Time Off + Holidays

· Disability Insurance

· 401k Savings Plan

Pay: $70,000.00 - $85,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

People with a criminal record are encouraged to apply

Experience:

• Bakery / R & D: 5 years (Required)

Ability to Commute:

• Shelby Charter Township, MI 48315 (Required)

Work Location: In person