Exciting Career Opportunities in Food & CPG: Procurement Manager and R&D Applications Specialist

Alyssa Eckroth • September 17, 2025

Exciting Career Opportunities in Food & CPG: Procurement Manager and R&D Applications Specialist


The consumer packaged goods (CPG) and food manufacturing industry continues to expand, driving demand for innovative products, efficient supply chains, and skilled professionals. Two exciting career opportunities have opened up for experienced leaders looking to make an impact: Procurement Manager and R&D Applications Specialist.

Whether your expertise lies in supply chain strategy or food product innovation, these roles offer the chance to shape the future of the food industry.


Procurement Manager – Food & CPG Sector

The Procurement Manager role is designed for a strategic thinker with a strong background in procurement, supply chain management, and vendor partnerships. This position is ideal for professionals with a proven track record in ingredient sourcing, contract negotiation, and supplier relationship management.


Key Responsibilities:

  • Lead category-level sourcing strategies to align with business goals
  • Manage end-to-end procurement processes, including RFPs, cost modeling, and supplier onboarding
  • Conduct strategic market analysis and mitigate supply risks across global networks
  • Partner with R&D, Quality, and Manufacturing teams to qualify new suppliers and materials
  • Oversee pricing activities, cost validation, and forecasting
  • Implement supplier scorecards and performance improvement initiatives
  • Build efficient tools, dashboards, and SOPs to improve procurement execution

Ideal Candidate Profile:

  • 5+ years of procurement or supply chain experience, preferably in CPG or food manufacturing
  • Expertise in ingredient sourcing, vendor management, and contract negotiation
  • Strong Excel skills and familiarity with ERP or procurement platforms
  • Experience managing both ingredients and packaging procurement is highly valued
  • Collaborative leader with the ability to coach and guide team members

This is a high-impact supply chain and operations leadership role, where you’ll play a critical part in shaping sourcing strategies and driving operational excellence in the food industry.


R&D Applications Specialist – Food Science & Innovation

The R&D Applications Specialist role is perfect for a food scientist or product developer passionate about innovation, application development, and technical customer engagement. This position focuses on creating food and beverage applications that align with consumer trends, with an emphasis on coconut-based ingredients and functional food solutions.


Key Responsibilities:

  • Partner with sales teams to identify customer needs and deliver tailored recipe solutions
  • Conduct application development, sensory evaluations, and prototype testing
  • Create compelling customer presentations and product demos
  • Collaborate cross-functionally to bring new products from concept to commercialization
  • Gather and share market intelligence and competitive analysis to inform product innovation
  • Attend industry trade shows and customer meetings to showcase technical expertise
  • Train and support internal teams and distribution partners in technical selling

Ideal Candidate Profile:

  • Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Food Technology, or related field
  • Strong background in food formulation, product development, and B2B customer engagement
  • Experience with food ingredients (coconut expertise is a plus)
  • Excellent communication and presentation skills, able to bridge technical and non-technical audiences
  • Creative, team-oriented, and passionate about food innovation

This role offers the chance to be at the forefront of food product development, helping bring innovative concepts to life while working closely with customers, sales, and R&D teams.


Why These Roles Matter

Both positions are critical to the success of fast-growing food and beverage brands. The Procurement Manager ensures that supply chains remain resilient, cost-effective, and scalable, while the R&D Applications Specialist drives innovation and customer solutions.


Together, they reflect the balance of operational excellence and creative product development that powers today’s food industry.

If you’re looking to advance your career in the CPG and food manufacturing sector, these roles provide an exciting opportunity to make a meaningful impact.


Why Partner With a Specialized CPG Recruiter?

Finding professionals with expertise in procurement, supply chain, and food innovation can be challenging in today’s competitive market. That’s where partnering with a niche CPG recruiter makes all the difference. With deep connections across the industry and a clear understanding of what makes candidates successful in highly specialized roles, a recruiter with CPG focus helps companies:


  • Identify and attract top-performing talent quickly
  • Save time by reducing the noise of unqualified applicants
  • Ensure stronger long-term hires by matching technical expertise with company culture

At Consumer Connection, our team includes CPG Recruiters, Food & Beverage Recruiters, Natural Foods Recruiters, Consumer Packaged Goods Recruiters, and Supply Chain & Operations Recruiters. For brands focused on innovation, we also provide access to Category Management Recruiters, Shopper Marketing Recruiters, Beauty Industry Recruiters, and eCommerce Recruiters who understand the evolving landscape.


For growing food and beverage brands, partnering with a specialized recruiter isn’t just about filling roles—it’s about building strong teams that fuel innovation and growth.


By Alyssa Eckroth September 16, 2025
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