1440 Foods is a sports and active nutrition company on a mission to help energize people to unleash their potential with a focused portfolio of accessible, great-tasting health and wellness brands: Pure Protein® nutrition bars; and Body Fortress® high efficacy protein powders; MET-Rx® high-performance meal replacements. Join our fun, fast-paced company to be a part of growing 1440 Foods into the future!

Position Overview:

The R&D Manager will lead local end-to-end Product Development activities across 1440 Foods’ nutritional bars and powdered beverage portfolio. The successful candidate will be instrumental in the definition, prioritization, and execution of day-to-day activities enabling the effective execution of Innovation and Brand Maintenance initiatives. The incumbent will work closely with a diverse technical team to influence, plan, and deliver the Local R&D and Commercialization agenda.

Job Responsibilities:

Partners with line manager in the effective planning and executionof product development activities (i.e. innovation, cost-reduction, business continuity, and efficiencies), driving cost savings and efficiencies across all bar and powdered beverage platforms.
Successfully leads the R&D team through the entire product development cycle, ensuring flawless execution from benchtop to full-scale commercial production.
Guarantees that all initiatives meet the product development brief, including technical requirements (sensory, functionality, shelf-life, and regulatory) and performance specifications such as cost and operational feasibility.
Drives a data- and scientific-driven product development process, translating analytical and sensory results into effective and actionable technical solutions.
Effectively leads the R&D team in addressing technical challenges related to ingredient/technology scouting, ingredient substitution, complex formulation, process scale-up/optimization. Drives the technical validation process to ensure that all products meet rigorous quality standards and are ready for commercialization.
Oversees the planning and execution of benchtop, pilot, and full-scale plant production (including internal and external partners)
Establishes and executes best R&D practices including lab management, agile development, rapid prototyping, decision-making tools/procedures to flawlessly develop, scale, validate, and launch products
Effectively manages multiple, concurrent projects by prioritizing tasks, allocating resources efficiently, and coordinating cross-functional teams to ensure timely completion. Demonstrates strong organizational skills and the ability to balance competing demands while maintaining a high standard of quality across all deliverables.
Acts as a role model for effective teamwork, building relationships within the internal cross-functional teams and with external partners.
Leads a highly technical and capable R&D team with focus on developing/mentoring team members and building a strong inclusive team culture.

Skills, Knowledge & Abilities:

Strategic technical mindset with a keen ability to think broadly, prioritize effectively, and develop analytical frameworks to solve technical challenges.
Operates effectively in a matrixed environment and demonstrates effective collaboration and influencing across multiple layers.
Excellent communication skills with ability to effectively communicate these to the broader team.
Excellent project management skills with ability to prioritize multiple activities simultaneously in a fast-paced environment. Comfortable leading through change and ambiguity.
Proven talent development skills with strong sense of engagement while fostering diversity, inclusion and belonging within the organization.
Self-directed with a demonstrated sense of accountability and with ability to adapt to the changing needs of a dynamic growth-oriented business.
Effective leadership, teamwork and organizational skills.

Education & Experience:

Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Food/Chemical Engineering, or equivalent required. Advanced degree preferred.
8+ years of experience in Food/Beverage Consumer Packaged Goods industry with at least 4 years of experience managing teams through the entire product development cycle; Experience in Dairy and/or Nutritional products preferred.
Active knowledge and experience in planning and conducting a variety of sensory evaluations, effectively drawing conclusions to navigate product development and technical validation.
Experience working with nutritional software, technical and quality systems. Experience with Excel, ESHA Genesis, project management software, and/or Trace Gains preferred.

Work Environment:

Exposure to both the office setting and food manufacturing facility.

Significant amount of time working at a computer station.
Occasional visits to various areas of the manufacturing floor.
- Must wear required PPE while in all manufacturing areas.
- Moving parts and machinery are present in the plant.

Physical demands:

Frequent sitting, standing, or walking.
Occasional ability to lift up to 20lbs.
Noise levels will vary, higher noise levels exist while in the plant operations areas.