The R&D Director will lead and oversee the development, testing, and optimization of new products while ensuring scientific rigor, food safety, and efficient lab operations. They lead the technical team, manage project priorities, and translate strategic business goals into innovative, scalable formulations.
Client Details
The company is a small-sized organization operating within the food/beverage and professional services industry. They are committed to driving innovation and delivering exceptional solutions to meet their clients' needs.
Description
Lead Product Development: Drive end‑to‑end formulation of new food & beverage products-from concept through benchtop prototypes, stability testing, and refinement.
Hands-On Lab Work: Actively run experiments, oversee daily lab activities, and guide scientists/technicians in method development, data collection, and sample preparation.
Scale-Up & Manufacturing Support: Translate formulas into scalable processes, partner with pilot facilities or co‑manufacturers, and troubleshoot issues during test runs.
Quality, Safety & Compliance: Maintain lab SOPs, ensure FDA/FSMA compliance, manage ingredient specs, and oversee basic analytical and shelf‑life testing.
Operational Management: Prioritize projects, manage timelines, track budgets and ingredient inventory, and ensure equipment is maintained and calibrated.
Cross‑Functional Collaboration: Work with leadership, marketing, and operations to align product requirements, claims, cost targets, and launch timelines.
Vendor & Ingredient Management: Source ingredients, manage supplier relationships, evaluate alternatives, and coordinate external testing or pilot work.
Team Leadership: Mentor a small, high‑performing lab team; cultivate a culture of safety, speed, and scientific rigor.
MPI does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, marital status, or based on an individual's status in any group or class protected by applicable federal, state or local law. MPI encourages applications from minorities, women, the disabled, protected veterans and all other qualified applicants.
Profile
A successful R&D Director should have:
Educational background in Food Science, Food Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or related field (or equivalent experience).
5+ years in food & beverage product development, with 2+ years leading teams in a high-growth environment.
Expertise in beverage systems (e.g., acidified, low/zero sugar, protein, functional/active ingredients), flavor chemistry, and processing (HTST, UHT, HPP, carbonation, aseptic, etc.).
Strong command of shelf-life design (oxidation, microbial, physical stability), sensory methods, and DOE/statistical analysis.
Proven tech transfer to pilot/CMOs, with successful commercial launches.
Deep knowledge of U.S. regulatory and labeling (FDA, FSMA/PCQI principles, allergen, nutrition facts).
Exceptional project management, prioritization, and stakeholder communication.
Startup/scale-up background; comfort with ambiguity and resource constraints.
Benchtop/pilot equipment (mixers, homogenizers, pasteurizers, carbonation, HPP coordination).
Job Offer
Competitive salary ranging from $90,000 to $130,000 USD.
Comprehensive 401(k) plan.
Performance-based bonus opportunities.
Unlimited Paid Time Off (PTO).
Opportunity to work in a small-sized, innovative organization within the food/bev and professional services industry.
MPI does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, marital status, or based on an individual's status in any group or class protected by applicable federal, state or local law. MPI encourages applications from minorities, women, the disabled, protected veterans and all other qualified applicants.