SENIOR MANAGER/DIRECTOR R&D-HIGH PROTEINS

SUMMARY OF POSITION Our client, a dynamic, fast-growing company committed to inspiring healthy, vibrant lives by offering the cleanest nutritional products possible. The candidate helps enable growth by working to ensure that our products meet quality, regulatory and brand requirements. This position utilizes educational background, professional experience, scientific method, discipline, planning, logic and creativity to lead the development of new products. ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS Duties will include the following areas: Innovation, Renovation, Supply Continuity, Documentation, Cost Savings and Avoidance, Integration. Platforms will include powders, ready to drinks, snacks. Designs and develops products to meet all product guardrails and targets. Executes and manages all aspects of R&D throughout the entire lifecycle, spanning from concept to post-launch. Responsibilities encompass formulating, designing, conducting formulas and experiments, attending trials and production runs, overseeing external testing (sensory, analytical), shelf-life assessments, data organization, and summarizing and communicating conclusive findings. Facilitates all cross-functional R&D requirements for projects under your purview, ensuring transparent communication and updates to both management and other teams. This also includes activities such as providing sales samples, performing package fill tests, providing technical support. Collaborates closely with the VP of R&D to drive all product development initiatives focused on innovation. This entails coordinating and organizing all onsite innovation meetings, researching new ingredients, actively participating in meetings, and staying abreast of ingredient trends while assessing their feasibility. Takes on additional tasks as needed to support company business objectives. REQUIREMENTS Education: B.S. degree in Food Science. Advanced degree highly preferred. Experience: Minimum of 10 years of formulation and commercialization experience, including 4 years of high protein, low carbohydrate and low sugar, shelf stable products. Bar, powder, RTD experience highly preferred. Proficient with commercialization. Proven, successful track record of leading and launching multiple projects in a cpg environment with cross functional partners. Minimum 7 years of executing and managing the R&D lifecycle from concept to post launch. This encompasses not only all R&D activities but also proficiency in utilizing databases, including formulation and nutritional software, Genesis, Trace Gains, and ERP Systems. Experience with I2L and SAP highly preferred. Travel: Willingness and ability to travel up to 25% during peak project time, including overnights and weekends, as an effective and professional representative. Hours: Willingness and ability to work a variety of shifts, including overnights and weekends, as needed for projects. Equipment: Working knowledge of bench top analytical and physical testing equipment and methods, including scales, pH meters, viscometers, moisture analyzer. Programs: Strong computer skills, especially working with nutritional software, spreadsheets, and quality systems. Experience with Excel, ESHA Genesis, project management software, Trace Gains preferred. Skills and Programs: Good laboratory practices including organized data documentation and presentation, attention to detail, and ability to develop and follow batch protocols. Tasting: Ability to consume a variety of allergens (wheat, peanut, tree nut, almond, dairy, and sesame). Sensory: Knowledge and experience in conducting sensory evaluations and draw conclusions to navigate development. Shelf Life: Ability to design valid tests and draw conclusions. Organization Communication Critical Thinking and Logic Project Management, Communication and Teamwork: Excellent project management skills with ability to prioritize multiple activities simultaneously in a fast-paced environment. Excellent communication skills with ability to identify critical path items and risks, and effectively communicate these to the broader team. Ability to work collaboratively across levels and functions internally and with third parties. Culture: Experience working through ambiguity, adapting to change, and persevering. A drive for results/can-do mentality is critical to success. This is a growth opportunity You must be a Permanent Resident of the USA or have a valid Green Card to be considered. Due to the volume of resumes received, we regret that we can only respond to those most qualified.