At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and mentor R&D teams while driving innovation and project execution.
- Company: Join a dynamic company focused on advancing R&D capabilities.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, career development opportunities, and a collaborative work environment.
- Other info: Opportunity for growth in a supportive and innovative culture.
- Why this job: Shape the future of R&D and make a real impact in a thriving industry.
- Qualifications: 8-10 years in project management with strong leadership and communication skills.
The predicted salary is between 90000 - 110000 $ per year.
Department: Research & Development
Location: 419 Rennie St, Hamilton, ON L8H 3R7
Status: 12 Month Contract, full time onsite role
Summary: The Senior Manager, R&D Capabilities and Excellence plays a pivotal role in shaping how the R&D organization operates, grows, and delivers results. This role strengthens foundational capabilities, elevates execution discipline, and builds the systems, tools, and practices that enable efficient, scalable, and high‑quality innovation. As a trusted leadership partner to the Director of R&D, the Senior Manager provides the expertise, reliability, strategic insight, and operational structure needed to translate vision into sustained, repeatable success. The successful candidate will help define and enhance the R&D operating model, drive continuous improvement, and build a strong, capable and future‑ready R&D team.
- People Leadership & Team Growth
- Lead, mentor, and develop scientists, researchers, and technicians.
- Create a culture of collaboration, accountability, and continuous learning.
- Support career development and skill‑building to expand team capabilities.
- Promote flexibility of resources across categories to ensure exposure and growth.
- R&D Capabilities & Excellence Leadership
- Develop and implement the R&D capability roadmap to strengthen long‑term technical depth and functional maturity.
- Build and enhance the R&D operating model, including governance, workflows, documentation standards, and execution frameworks.
- Drive portfolio visibility and performance management using standardized tools, metrics, and reporting dashboards.
- Lead knowledge management discipline by ensuring consistent documentation, trial learnings capture, and process repeatability.
- Champion a culture of continuous improvement, technical rigor, and disciplined execution across the R&D function.
- Project Execution & Delivery
- Ensure project execution contributes to building the long‑term vision for the R&D organization.
- Ensure timely and high‑quality execution of projects across the R&D portfolio.
- Translate innovation project plans into actionable execution deliverables in partnership with cross‑functional teams.
- Oversee resource allocation and capacity planning to maximize team effectiveness.
- Monitor project progress, remove barriers, and manage risks to delivery.
- Cross‑functional Collaboration
- Act as liaison between R&D execution and Operations, ensuring smooth transfer of knowledge and implementation of new technologies.
- Collaborate closely with Principal Scientists on project prioritization and resource planning.
- Build strong relationships with Quality, Engineering, and other enabling functions to support seamless project execution.
- Systems & Process Excellence
- Ensure the execution team has the right tools, systems, and processes to deliver consistently.
- Drive improvements in lab and pilot operations to enhance efficiency and impact.
- Strengthen standardization, documentation, and knowledge management within the execution team.
Qualifications & Competencies:
- Bachelor’s degree in science, engineering, business, or related discipline (advanced degree is an asset).
- 8–10 years of experience in project management and stakeholder collaboration within R&D, operations, or technical environments.
- Demonstrated success in building systems, stakeholder engagement, people leadership, coaching, and developing teams.
- Strong organizational and planning skills; PMP certification preferred.
- Excellent communication and collaboration skills with both technical and non‑technical stakeholders.
- Knowledge of the dairy or food industry is an asset but not required.
Senior Manager, R&D Capabilities and Excellence in Hamilton employer: Gay Lea
At Gay Lea Foods, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that fosters a collaborative and innovative work culture. As the Senior Director of Cheese Business, you will have the opportunity to lead strategic initiatives in a supportive environment that values employee growth and development. With a hybrid work model and a commitment to enhancing profitability and market share, we offer a unique chance to make a meaningful impact in the dairy industry while enjoying a fulfilling career.
