Beverage R&D manager

Job description 1. Material Development, Testing, and Selection: - Evaluate candidate ingredients, packaging, and equipment for upcoming HEYTEA product launches across the U.S. market - Analyze product characteristics and balance material cost, quality, and performance to make optimal selections that meet national standards 2. New Product Development and Launch Support: - Lead the R&D team in ideation, prototyping, and testing of new HEYTEA beverages and food items for the entire U.S. market - Collaborate with the brand team to develop launch plans, including copy, cost estimates, recipes, and production processes - Coordinate with the training team to ensure consistent in-store implementation of new product offerings nationwide - Monitor customer feedback and conduct store visits across the U.S. to refine products post-launch 3. Localization and Adaptation: - Spearhead the adaptation of HEYTEA's core product lineup to cater to diverse consumer preferences and regional trends across the U.S. - Conduct comprehensive market research and collaborate with the operations team to identify opportunities for localized innovations 4. Team Leadership and Capability Building: - Establish and manage the U.S. R&D team, setting goals and development plans for individual contributors - Identify training needs and design programs to upskill the team in areas such as sensory evaluation, food science, and culinary techniques Job requirement 1. Bachelor's degree in food science, culinary arts, or a related field 2. 5 years of experience in the food/beverage R&D, with a proven track record of successful national product launches 3. Demonstrated expertise in new product ideation, formulation, and launch for the specialty beverage and/or cafe industry 4. Thorough understanding of consumer preferences, market trends, and operational considerations across different U.S. regions 5. Proficiency in Mandarin or Cantonese, in addition to fluency in English, to effectively collaborate with the global HEYTEA team 6. Excellent leadership, communication, and collaboration skills to drive cross-functional initiatives on a national scale