Innovation & Development Manager

The Innovation & Development Manager reports to the VP of Innovation and Quality and leads the company’s Innovation team in the innovation, development and scale-up of new products, optimization of existing products, and cross-functional product support.

Key Responsibilities:

• Leads technical product development from concept to launch which includes developing product formulas and prototypes, ingredients and suppliers, and adapting manufacturing processes.
• Collaborates with cross-functional teams that can include Sales, Commercialization, Procurement, Finance, Operations, and Food Safety & Quality Assurance (FSQA):

a) Serves as subject matter expert regarding ingredients and products.

b) Collaborates with procurement and FSQA to confirm suitability of ingredients in new and existing products.

c) Collaborates with Commercialization, FSQA and Procurement to ensure compliant packaging

information, which includes but is not limited to ingredient statements, nutrition panels, net weight, and marketing claims.

d) Provides product information, applications, and sampling support for Sales.

e) Collaborates with the Procurement, Finance and Operations teams to analyze, determine, and

validate the financial viability of product development projects.

• Assigns and manages the Innovation team members to deliver high-quality, safe and cost-effective products that meet customer and company needs by:

a) Assigning and managing product development tasks, including but not limited to, bench-top

experiments, formula calculations and verifications, prototype development, manufacturing plant

trials, internal and external sensory testing, and shelf-life studies.

b) Defining and validating product formulations and initial manufacturing parameters (e.g., sourcingavailability, batch cycles and processing conditions, yields) for Procurement, Operations, Finance and FSQA.

c) Defining initial raw material (ingredient and packaging), product, and process specifications.

d) Ensuring all products and ingredients are developed in accordance with food safety, nutrition and product labeling, and all other regulatory compliance requirements.

e) Assigning and managing team members to collaborate with customers in joint product/application development projects.

f) Managing employee development, training and coaching including performance assessments.

g) Arranging and monitoring onboarding and developmental training of team members.

Qualifications:

• Minimum of Bachelor of Science degree in Food Science, Chemistry, or a related discipline or equivalent required.
• Master’s degree in food science or business preferred.
• Juice HACCP certification, or completed within 90 days of employment.

Experience:

• Minimum of 10 years of experience in product development, with at least 5 years in beverage development.
• Minimum of 3 years of leadership experience.
• Must possess knowledge of key ingredients in the production of flavors, concentrates, and beverage bases.