Once Upon a Farm is hiring a
Director of Research and Development in Worldwide

Summary

The job is for a Research and Development team leader at Once Upon A Farm, responsible for leading the R&D team, formulation development, product kitchen trials, sensory evaluation, and more. The role requires a Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Microbiology, Chemistry, or another related field, with ten years of professional experience in RTE (Ready-To-Eat) Food Manufacturing preferred.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Microbiology, Chemistry, or another related field is required. Master’s Degree preferred but not required
• Ten years of professional experience in RTE (Ready-To-Eat) Food Manufacturing preferred

Responsibilities

• Lead and direct the Research and Development team including day-to-day managerial logistics, annual review inputs, performance feedback, and budget oversight
• Lead formulation development, product kitchen trials, production trials, sample evaluation, and assistance when and where needed and delegate these duties on a project-specific basis to the appropriate team members
• Work cross-functionally to ensure R&D projects and initiatives are managed through commercialization to fully support the vision and direction of the project brief
• Prepare benchtop prototypes and register them into a database with appropriate analytics including Ph, Brix, Viscosity, and other product parameters
• Provide a science-based viewpoint throughout the innovation and commercialization process to ensure optimized product scale-up and launch
• Collaborate early and often with the Quality team to build food safety into products from the very beginning to reduce food safety risks
• Work with Operations to prepare product specifications, set up formulas, and write technical reports and test run plans
• Support co-manufacturer plant trials for commercialization of new manufacturers, and products and implement formula changes/improvements. Ensure all protocols are followed and product specs are met
• Participates in and supports coordinating and implementing sensory tasting events, including the analytical and physical evaluation and sample preparation. Build test protocols, recruit internal tasters, execute tastings, and document results accurately and in a timely manner
• Develop product nutrition and ingredient information for product labels. Assist in creating NFPs for all new and reformulated products
• Work with Quality to coordinate and maintain all product certifications including Organic, Non-GMO, Kosher, and Clean Label
• Create SOPs for the R&D department innovation processes and other projects as needed
• Monitor current market trends via trade journals, conferences, and competitors' market trips to predict future focus
• Recommend changes/improvements to existing products according to changing customer needs, product complaints/dissatisfaction, or internal production difficulties
• Coordinate buying/receipt and review of samples from competitors for testing and evaluation
• Foster thought leadership by participating on relevant boards, sitting on panels, attending relevant conferences, etc

Benefits

• Health insurance
• Retirement benefits
• Paid time off
• Remote work
• Bonuses and incentives
• Professional development opportunities
• Wellness programs
• Family and parental leave