Guided Search Partners (GSP)
Guided Search Partners is an Executive Search firm built on Trust, Transparency, Specialization, and Long-term Relationships.
We connect high-performing professionals with organizations that value people, performance, and growth—helping leaders find roles where they can make an impact and build meaningful careers.

About the Opportunity
We’re partnering with a leading frozen foods manufacturer with a broad portfolio across retail, foodservice, private label, and co-manufacturing. Its products are sold across the United States and Canada, with more than 2 million meals enjoyed every day. This Vice President of R&D role is a key leadership opportunity for someone who wants to shape innovation, product development, and commercialization across multiple brands and categories. It is a strong fit for a food R&D leader who can drive growth, lead teams, and bring new ideas to market with speed and quality.

What You’ll Do
Lead enterprise-wide R&D and innovation strategy in support of growth objectives across the brand portfolio. You’ll guide new product development, improve existing offerings, and identify emerging technologies and consumer trends that strengthen the business across retail, foodservice, and co-manufacturing channels. This role also leads commercialization efforts and oversees the development of new concepts, ingredients, and technologies that align with consumer demand and retailer needs. You’ll lead a team of six direct reports across R&D and Regulatory, with broader leadership influence across the function.

Who You Are
You are a senior food R&D leader who knows how to connect strategy with execution. You can lead innovation, support commercialization, and build alignment across teams while keeping quality and speed to market in focus. You are also a collaborative leader who communicates well, leads through change, and brings structure to a function that directly supports growth.

Preferred Experience & Attributes

• BS degree required, master’s preferred
• 15+ years of progressive R&D experience in food or CPG
• 10+ years of leadership experience
• Frozen food or prepared meals experience preferred
• Strong background in innovation, product development, and commercialization
• Experience leading R&D and Regulatory teams
• Ability to identify consumer trends and emerging technologies

Why This Role Matters
This role will help shape the next phase of innovation and growth across a large frozen foods' portfolio. It offers visibility, leadership impact, and the opportunity to influence product direction across multiple channels and brands. For the right leader, this is a chance to step into an important role, lead a strong team, and make a clear impact on the future of the business.