Job Description

Our client a leading food technology company is seeking a R & D Product Development Manager to join their dynamic and growing team.

The R&D Product Development Manager – Dairy, will report to the R&D Director. This position is located in the San Francisco area.

Responsibilities

• Create delicious plant-based dairy analogues products that delight consumers and are in compliance with regulatory, nutritional and quality requirements
• Work side by side with all the company functions in order to drive the top line, the efficiencies as well as uniquity of all products
• Be accountable on working side by side with the machine learning team and the research team on all product development on improvement projects.
• Design and execute bench-top tests, and pilot-plant trials to deliver high-quality food products with superior sensory attributes
• Use sensory and instrumental analysis to guide the development process
• Participate in the full product lifecycle, from product concept to successful commercial launch
• Support process development, scale-up, and technology transfer
• Leverage external resources to identify potential raw material solutions, define pilot test, sensory analysis, and positively affect project timelines
• Maintain detailed documentation, experiment tracking, and outcomes, and document finish good specifications
• Communicate proactively and effectively with cross-functional teams including Marketing, Quality, Sales, and Operations

Requirements

• 8 or more years of progressive R&D experience and at least 4 years of management experience in food products including the successful execution of plant-based food products (dairy analogues preferred)
• Bachelor’s degree in food engineering, food science, or a similar discipline; Master’s degree is a plus
• Experience leading and developing a team, strong communication while fostering a great work environment
• Experience in working with ingredient suppliers and co-manufacturers
• Possess experience working in a consumer food company, start-up experience preferred
• Excel in a startup environment is excited to create new procedures and processes from scratch and has a strong entrepreneurial mindset.
• Be a problem solver, have a general manager mindset, and take the initiative to get the job done
• Possess strong planning, project management, and execution skills, and the ability to articulate where and how you have used them.
• Rigorous data-driven/analytical capability and ability and presence to present data effectively to a leadership team
• Work well in teams and cross-functional groups in a matrixed environment both regionally and globally
• Be agile, adaptable, and thrive in a dynamic and changing culture
• Possess strong computer skills including a high level of proficiency in MS Office, specifically Excel
• Ability to travel at least 10% of the time.

Compensation based on experience