Senior R&D Manager

River Falls, WI
Full-Time

Job Description

Senior R&D Manager

It's closer to the Twin Cities metro area than you think! Only 17 miles over the MN/WI border.

Job Summary:
Lead the Product Development Chemistry team, developing long-term strategies for research, development, and innovation. Oversee solutions for various product lines including herbicides, insecticides, fungicides, plant nutrition, adjuvants, plant growth regulators, bio-stimulants, and seed care. Ensure projects are properly resourced and completed on schedule, collaborating with cross-functional teams. Work collaboratively to create an innovative R&D pipeline and initiatives.

Duties and Responsibilities:
Chemistry Team Lead (30%):

  • Provide leadership and vision for research and development strategies.

  • Direct formulation processes for various products.

  • Coordinate with relevant staff and integrate new products and technologies.

  • Optimize R&D procedures and techniques.

Resource Management (30%):

  • Train and supervise chemists to enhance their skills and develop an innovative pipeline.

  • Optimize resources within the Innovation Center.

  • Develop research strategies and manage budgets.

  • Interface with key ingredient suppliers.

Process Management (20%):

  • Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure consistency in chemistry activities.

  • Prioritize projects, plan efficient workflows, and ensure compliance with regulations.

  • Investigate and improve procedures and processes.

Communications (20%):

  • Ensure effective communication within the chemistry group and cross-functionally.

  • Support product launch and market development through effective communication channels.

  • Serve as a key contact for industry partners and participate in professional activities.

Required Qualifications:

  • Required MS or PhD in Agronomy, Biology, Chemistry or related fields

  • Desired MS or PhD degree in Chemistry

  • Proven leadership and innovation skills

  • Ability to work in a cross-functional group setting

  • Strategic mind set and business acumen

  • Excellent communication skills with internal and external partners

  • 10 or more years of R+D
  • Agricultural research - preferred
  • Diverse formulation knowledge and expertise in various chemistries and analytical methods
  • Knowledge of lab processes, OSHA requirements, and industry standards
  • Ability to work from the River Falls, WI Innovation Center

Competencies & Other Skills:

  • Strong leadership, organizational and time management skills

  • Effective relationship management and communication.

  • Detail-oriented with a focus on accuracy

  • Proficient in Microsoft Office and ability to learn new programs

  • Critical thinking, project management and customer focus

  • Advanced technical and professional knowledge in plant nutrition, seed treatment, agronomy, and ag business

  • Achievement-oriented and effective in developing others

Salary range: $138,720 - $208,080 (in most cases, candidates offered employment can expect to be hired at a pay rate near the middle of our salary ranges)

About Land O'Lakes, Inc.

Join us and be part of a Fortune 250, farmer- and member-owned cooperative that is reimagining the business of food. We have been named a Top Workplace by Indeed and LinkedIn, and to the TIME 100 Most Influential Companies list.


Benefits for most full-time roles include medical, dental, vision, PTO, life & disability insurance, education assistance, a 401k and a variety of well-being resources. Most part-time employees are eligible for prorated PTO, holiday pay, employee development programs, prorated education assistance, and a 401(k).

Land O'Lakes, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE) M/F/Vets/Disabled. The company maintains a drug-free workforce, including post-employment substance abuse testing pursuant to a Drug and Alcohol Policy.

Neither Land O'Lakes, nor its search firms, will ever contact you and ask for confidential information over the phone or in email. If you receive a call or email like this, please do not provide the information being requested.

PDN-9ffb97ec-571f-42ac-9cfc-46a400b67add
Senior R&D Manager

It's closer to the Twin Cities metro area than you think! Only 17 miles over the MN/WI border.

Job Summary:
Lead the Product Development Chemistry team, developing long-term strategies for research, development, and innovation. Oversee solutions for various product lines including herbicides, insecticides, fungicides, plant nutrition, adjuvants, plant growth regulators, bio-stimulants, and seed care. Ensure projects are properly resourced and completed on schedule, collaborating with cross-functional teams. Work collaboratively to create an innovative R&D pipeline and initiatives.

Duties and Responsibilities:
Chemistry Team Lead (30%):

  • Provide leadership and vision for research and development strategies.

  • Direct formulation processes for various products.

  • Coordinate with relevant staff and integrate new products and technologies.

  • Optimize R&D procedures and techniques.

Resource Management (30%):

  • Train and supervise chemists to enhance their skills and develop an innovative pipeline.

  • Optimize resources within the Innovation Center.

  • Develop research strategies and manage budgets.

  • Interface with key ingredient suppliers.

Process Management (20%):

  • Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure consistency in chemistry activities.

  • Prioritize projects, plan efficient workflows, and ensure compliance with regulations.

  • Investigate and improve procedures and processes.

Communications (20%):

  • Ensure effective communication within the chemistry group and cross-functionally.

  • Support product launch and market development through effective communication channels.

  • Serve as a key contact for industry partners and participate in professional activities.

Required Qualifications:

  • Required MS or PhD in Agronomy, Biology, Chemistry or related fields

  • Desired MS or PhD degree in Chemistry

  • Proven leadership and innovation skills

  • Ability to work in a cross-functional group setting

  • Strategic mind set and business acumen

  • Excellent communication skills with internal and external partners

  • 10 or more years of R+D
  • Agricultural research - preferred
  • Diverse formulation knowledge and expertise in various chemistries and analytical methods
  • Knowledge of lab processes, OSHA requirements, and industry standards
  • Ability to work from the River Falls, WI Innovation Center

Competencies & Other Skills:

  • Strong leadership, organizational and time management skills

  • Effective relationship management and communication.

  • Detail-oriented with a focus on accuracy

  • Proficient in Microsoft Office and ability to learn new programs

  • Critical thinking, project management and customer focus

  • Advanced technical and professional knowledge in plant nutrition, seed treatment, agronomy, and ag business

  • Achievement-oriented and effective in developing others

Salary range: $138,720 - $208,080 (in most cases, candidates offered employment can expect to be hired at a pay rate near the middle of our salary ranges)

About Land O'Lakes, Inc.

Join us and be part of a Fortune 250, farmer- and member-owned cooperative that is reimagining the business of food. We have been named a Top Workplace by Indeed and LinkedIn, and to the TIME 100 Most Influential Companies list.


Benefits for most full-time roles include medical, dental, vision, PTO, life & disability insurance, education assistance, a 401k and a variety of well-being resources. Most part-time employees are eligible for prorated PTO, holiday pay, employee development programs, prorated education assistance, and a 401(k).

Land O'Lakes, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE) M/F/Vets/Disabled. The company maintains a drug-free workforce, including post-employment substance abuse testing pursuant to a Drug and Alcohol Policy.

Neither Land O'Lakes, nor its search firms, will ever contact you and ask for confidential information over the phone or in email. If you receive a call or email like this, please do not provide the information being requested.

PDN-9ffb97ec-571f-42ac-9cfc-46a400b67add

About Land O'Lakes

A career at Land O’Lakes means working at the heart of the dynamic agriculture and food industries—and helping to solve some of the world’s greatest food challenges. If you know us as “the butter company,” you may be surprised to discover that we’re behind many trusted brands, including Purina®, WinField™ United, Kozy Shack®, Vermont Creamery®, and Philia™, among others. We’re #232 on the Fortune 500 list, with 8,000+ employees doing business in all 50 U.S. states and 50 countries around the world.

From crop inputs that grow into the grain that animals eat, to a final product on a store shelf, Land O’Lakes has a farmer-to-fork view. Pair this with our farmer ownership, and we're uniquely qualified to fulfill our purpose of Feeding Human Progress around the world, while always delivering on our responsibility to our owners. Just as we’ve been doing for nearly 100 years.

Explore a career with Land O’Lakes, and discover why Forbes, Indeed, the Human Rights Campaign Foundation and many others have placed us on their best places to work lists.


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Senior R&D Manager
Land O'Lakes
River Falls, WI
Sep 28, 2025
Full-time
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