Food manufacturing
10 food product development experts
These ten professionals have led food product development at food manufacturers and food brands, in product development, R&D and innovation roles. A reader can learn how food companies take new products from concept to launch.
Professionals to explore
01—10Bridgette Kaechele
LinkedInExperience: Director of Research Development · Conagra Brands
Director of Research Development at Conagra Brands since March 2025; the profile says this person is leading a team to deliver growth, margin enhancement and business continuity for Conagra Brand's meat snacks platform. Former R&D Product Development Manager, New Product Development (2021–2024), R&D Product Development Manager, Margin Enhancement (2019–2021) and Senior Food Scientist (2014–2019) at Conagra Brands.
Catrina Smith
LinkedInExperience: Director of Product Development, USA · Schreiber Foods
Former Director of Product Development, USA (2020–2024) and Director of Research and Development (2017–2020) at Schreiber Foods, and Vice President Research And Development there since May 2024. Other Schreiber Foods roles include Team Leader Research (2014–2017) and Research Scientist (2009–2014).
Christina Slad
LinkedInExperience: Director Of Product Development · Mars
Former Director Of Product Development (2017–2021), Senior Product Development Manager, North America Confections (2015–2017) and Global Director of Factory Innovation (2021–2023) at Mars. Former Senior Director R&D, Strategic Transformation and Portfolio Management at McCain Foods (2023–2026). Head of Research And Development North America at Griffith Foods since March 2026.
Christine Kwiat
LinkedInExperience: Vice President Innovation & Product Development · CJ Schwan's
Former Vice President Innovation & Product Development (2017–2020) and Senior Director Innovation & Product Development (2013–2017) at CJ Schwan's. Former Chief Research, Development and Innovation Officer at Welch's (2024–2025), and Head of Research And Development JBS Pilgrim s at Pilgrim's since March 2026.
Kelly Van Dyke, CCS
LinkedInExperience: Senior Manager - Gatorade Product Development · PepsiCo
Former Senior Manager - Gatorade Product Development (2011–2015) and Director - Global Formulations, Fruit & Vegetable (2015–2018) at PepsiCo, and Director - R&D External Innovation there since October 2018. The profile describes product and process development across categories including sports nutrition beverages and foods, fruit and vegetable juices, gummy chews, frozen pizza and processed and natural cheeses.
Kristan Cleto
LinkedInExperience: Director, Product Development and Innovation · Dole Packaged Foods
Director, Product Development and Innovation at Dole Packaged Foods since January 2024. Former VP R&D, Quality, and Technical Services at PLZ Corp (2004–2023), Research Scientist at Colgate-Palmolive (1999–2003) and R&D Chemist at San Miguel Corporation (1996–1998).
Libby Hogben
LinkedInExperience: Director, Product & Process Development · The J.M. Smucker Co.
Director, Product & Process Development at The J.M. Smucker Co. since May 2024, in frozen handhelds R&D according to the profile. Other The J.M. Smucker Co. roles include Senior Manager Product & Process Development, Products Research (2022–2024), Senior Product Development Manager, Pet R&D (2021–2022) and R&D Manager (2017–2021). Former R&D Manager, Exclusive Brands at Mars (2016–2017).
Lucas Welter
LinkedInExperience: Director, Product Development, Sausages, Wieners & Meat Snacks · Maple Leaf Foods Inc
Director, Product Development, Sausages, Wieners & Meat Snacks at Maple Leaf Foods Inc since August 2026. Former Innovation and Product Development Manager at Piller's Fine Foods, a division of PBOLP (2020–2026). At MBRF the roles were Research and Development Manager (2016–2020) and JR Product Developer Specialist Developer (2009–2016).
Nathaniel Park
LinkedInExperience: Director Of Product Development and Innovation · Eat Just, Inc.
Former Director Of Product Development and Innovation at Eat Just, Inc. (2018–2026), alongside a Research Development Team Lead-Discovery role at Hampton Creek listed for 2015–2026. Former Executive Chef at Knife & Tine (2014) and Chef De Cuisine at Baume & Brix (2012–2013).
Sandra Bichsel
LinkedInExperience: Director, Strategic Product Development Foodservice Research & Development · The Marzetti Company
Former Director, Strategic Product Development Foodservice Research & Development (2005–2020) and R&D Manager, Foodservice R&D (1996–2005) at The Marzetti Company. Current roles at The Marzetti Company are Director Foodservice R&D (since December 2020) and, since August 2023, Director Culinary Insights, Innovation and New Product Development.
Choose the right perspective
Match the person's category and channel to yours, since dairy, meat, snacks, beverages, frozen foods and foodservice products face different formulation, shelf life and manufacturing limits. Also consider company size, since product development at a global brand owner runs differently from development at a smaller or venture-backed food company.
Questions to take into the conversation
- 01How do you decide which product concepts move from the bench into plant trials?
- 02What usually goes wrong when scaling a new recipe from the pilot plant to full production?
- 03How do you balance taste, cost and shelf life when a new product's targets conflict?
Reaching food product development experts
How can I contact one of these food product development experts?
Pick one of the 10 people on this page and choose "Book a paid call", or describe your project to find others. You offer a fee for a 15-minute call or a written answer, Instant Expert finds the person's work email and sends the invitation, and they decide whether to accept. The list covers 10 companies, including Conagra Brands, Schreiber Foods and Mars, based on profile data retrieved on October 4, 2026. Being listed here doesn't mean someone has agreed to take calls.
How much does it cost to reach food product development experts?
You choose the offer, starting at $5 per person. It includes Instant Expert's 20% fee, so an offer that pays the person $100 costs you $125. You're charged only when the person books the call or sends the answer.
What if they don't reply?
You pay nothing. Instant Expert sends follow-up reminders, and if the person hasn't booked or answered within 7 days, the request expires and any hold on your card is released. You can invite several of the 10 people on this list at once and cap your total spend, so you pay only for the ones who accept.
About this directory
This is a professional research starting point based on business profile data retrieved on . Titles and companies reflect that source snapshot and may describe past or present roles. Check the linked profiles for current details. Inclusion does not imply Instant Expert membership or availability.
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