Manager Research & Development

Company: Nice-Pak Products
Location: Smyrna
Posted on: January 20, 2026

Job Description:

Summary: The R & D Manger is responsible for managing personnel and projects that grow and maintain the business. This requires developing new personal care product formulas, reformulating/improving the existing product portfolio, as well as evaluating for optimization of materials, formulas, and processes. This position manages the projects and specialists assigned to those projects. The R&D Manager works with multiple departments: Marketing, Sales, Regulatory Affairs, Legal, Analytical Services, Cost Accounting, Purchasing, Engineering, and Production Planning. This position requires a candidate that works as a team member, on multiple teams, in a fast paced high volume environment, to accomplish goals and objectives. Essential Duties and Responsibilities: Exhibit team player qualities of cooperation and coordination; professional interaction in all business contacts, all day, every day Present for work when scheduled is a mandatory function. Work hours may extend pass normal business hours based on the workload of the department. Compliance and enforcement of all company safety rules, procedures and guidelines is essential. Reporting of safety issues is mandatory. Manage projects and personnel to develop/reformulate/optimize robust, quality formulas, to meet all specifications/requirements as indicated by a New Product Profile through bench experimentation Work with Regulatory Affairs, Legal, Marketing/Sales and Project Management to establish product/project profiles, specifications, timelines, and claims/testing requirements Manage projects to meet agreed upon specifications and timelines Assist chemists with formulation difficulties/issues to ensure completion on time and to meet quality standards Optimize formulations to meet minimal cost and process objectives Manage raw material requirements and obsolescence by engaging relative departments for the project (Regulatory, Purchasing, Quality, Project Management) Prepare product/project communication timelines and reviews- including analytical, technical and financial data for guidance and support to other departments and customers Create, review, and approve technical documents to support product development. (Ingredient Statements, Formula Cards, Cost Formulas, Raw Material Supplement Forms, Waivers, etc.) Train personnel to execute project commitments and pursue contingency plans within compliance and enforcement of company policies and procedures Knowledge of product categories to communicate effectively the requirements, specifications, and regulations needed for product integrity, quality, and safety Monitor brand products for changes that might prompt new products, reformulations, or optimizations Interact with suppliers, contract facilities, customers, and governing agencies to achieve robust, quality, cost effective products Investigate and implement appropriate corrective actions to customer formula complaints Write and deliver technical presentations and/or demonstrations for internal and external factions, to train and illustrate the benefits and mechanisms of technologies built into products Submit, manage, and/or assist other departments with detailed product information to third party certification programs (i.e. USDA, Safer Choice, Green Seal, Ecologo, NSF, ADA, TTB, etc.) Prepare research proposals including analytical, technical, and financial data for developing and testing new or improved products, internally and with external labs, suppliers, and customers Evaluate and review multiple forms of data from internal experiments and reports, as well as third party reports, to manage and regulate products and their technologies Supervisory Responsibilities: R&D Specialists (Senior Chemists, Chemists and Technicians) Education Requirements: A Bachelors’ Degree in Chemistry or related science; and eight years of related experience and/or training or combination of 15 years education and related experience Experience Requirements: 8 years formulating experience in personal care or related field Experience with MS Word, Excel and Power Point reporting tools and all Microsoft applications Ability to work with mathematical concepts such as probability and statistical inference and apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, and ratios to practical situations Competencies: Excellent organizational skills required, with the ability to prioritize and execute tasks in a fast paced high volume environment Ability to manage and prioritize multiple projects and personnel Team member with the preference towards collaborating on group projects rather than working individually High standards for quality of work Compliance and enforcement of all company safety rules, procedures, and guidelines is essential and mandatory. Enthusiastic, with a positive attitude and passion for innovation Strong information management and communication skills Efficient management of time and use of resources Inspires confidence and trust by being dependable and honest Logical approach to judgement and decision making based on original thinking, direct experience, and high quality, independently verifiable evidence Excellent written and verbal communication skills are critical Ability to deal with ambiguity Priority setting Process management Drive for results Excellent Interpersonal skills Understanding of industry rules and regulations. FDA, EPA, GMPs Problem solving and assessing risk management Ability to travel Good listening skills Efficient management of time and use of resources Certificates, Licenses, Registrations: n/a Travel: Light travel

Keywords: Nice-Pak Products, Clarksville , Manager Research & Development, Science, Research & Development , Smyrna, Tennessee