Director - R&D Product Development (Food/CPG)

Who we are

At Voyage Foods, our mission is to make delicious, sustainable and accessible foods that are better for people and the planet. All of our products work together to support and sustain a food system designed for everyone, now and into the future. We're a team of food scientists, CPG experts, and professionals with a passion for making good food available for generations to come.

What do peanut butter, chocolate and coffee have in common? They're some of our favorite foods, but are inaccessible and unsustainable. That's why we created our Nut-Free Spreads, Cocoa-Free Chocolate and Bean-Free Coffee. From food allergies to climate change and unjust labor practices, the foods we love are in serious need of an upgrade. Our future-proofed foods are always top 9 allergen-free, vegan, gluten-free, non-GMO, affordable and most importantly, utterly delicious.

In 2022, Voyage Foods announced our $36 million Series A to enable the growth of our teams as well as support demand generated from our retail and B2B partnerships. Voyage Foods’ Series A was led by UBS O-Connor and Level One Fund with participation from Horizons Ventures, SOSV’s Indie Bio, and others. It’s a great time to join our team!

How we work

We’re a rapidly growing team of people who value diversity in all its forms. We love adding new perspectives and appreciate those who ask questions that help us challenge assumptions, explore new directions, and improve what we’ve already built. We are a group of like-minded difference makers. Curiosity drives our development. We have tenacity and a risk-taking mentality at every level of our organization to keep challenging normalcy. We believe it’s our responsibility to create an environment in which every person can bring their full, authentic selves to work. We push each other to be our best and do our products proud. Read more about us by visiting our careers page!

Role Introduction 

We are seeking a dynamic and experienced Senior Manager of R&D Product Development to lead our product development teams to drive innovation in all three channels: retail, foodservice and B2B. At its core, this individual will be the principal liaison across our three product development teams, ensuring we have the right systems, processes, and communication to drive positive organizational outcomes.  This role requires a seasoned professional with a deep understanding of experimental design, scale-up processes, and cross-functional collaboration in order to be successful.  

This is an exempt, supervisory position based at our Oakland, CA HQ location and will report directly to the VP of R&D. 

What you’ll do

• Lead and oversee three product development teams including: Food Applications, Chocolate, and Spreads, ensuring alignment with company objectives and driving deep dives into experimental design.
• Provide hands-on leadership and support in commercialization-related activities, including scale-up processes and integration with the appropriate teams.
• Serve as the primary interface between external partners, for scaling up products, leveraging internal resources to facilitate seamless collaboration and information flow.
• Build and enhance existing systems, demonstrating technical expertise and serving as a scientific mentor to the team.
• Provide guidance and expertise in fat crystallization, roasting methodologies, sensory evaluation, flavor applications, and equipment-related needs.
• Interface directly with research teams to continually improve the quality of the products
• Lead projects to improve consistency and quality of products in manufacturing
• Demonstrate financial acumen by proposing and overseeing budgets, contributing to P&L management, and ensuring efficient resource allocation.
• Drive leadership initiatives, institute new systems and processes, and navigate scenarios with limited resources and information.
• Foster a culture of innovation and continuous improvement within the team, emphasizing adaptability and flexibility across all channels, including B2B and omni-channel environments.
  

What makes a great candidate 

• 6-8+ years of experience in food science, with a focus on product development and commercialization in a food-forward organization.
• 3+ years of management experience, preferably leading mid-sized teams in a fast-paced environment.
• Experience working in both startup and multinational settings, demonstrating adaptability and agility.
• Strong background in scale-up processes and full-cycle product development.
• Comfortable with ambiguity and able to thrive in situations with limited resources and information.
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to motivate and inspire teams towards common goals.
• Ability to navigate complex scenarios and provide strategic guidance with a keen understanding of financial implications.
• Recent hands-on experience in laboratory settings or bench work.
• Proven track record of instituting new systems and processes to drive efficiency and innovation.
• Familiarity with the chocolate/sweets industry is a plus.
• Experience scoping and evaluating new equipment is desirable.

Physical Demands 

• Tasting and comparing the tastes of a full range of foods and food products (including dairy, fruits, vegetables, mushrooms, grains, nuts, meat, poultry, fish, shellfish, spices, and other foods) for different characteristics, such as appearance, smell, taste, flavor, and quality of ingredients.
• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer 
  

Compensation

United States-based roles only: The Annual salary for this role is between $124,800 - $187,200 plus immediate participation in our benefits program (health, dental, 401k and many others), utilization of our generous paid time off and, where applicable, participation in our incentive programs. All employees are owners of Voyage Foods and receive an equity grant as part of their total package. At Voyage Foods, we approach each individual's compensation with a promise of fair market value and internal equity commensurate with experience and specific skill set.

Benefits

• Medical, Dental, Vision Plans 
• STD/LTD, Life and AD&D policies
• FSA, HRA, and Mental Health Program Benefits
• 401K Program
• 20 Floating Holidays + 9 Company Holidays
• Commuter Benefits
• Paid Family Leave Program
• Ongoing Team Events, including Weekly Friday Lunches

Voyage Foods is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, or genetic information. Voyage Foods is committed to providing access, equal opportunity and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, its services, programs, and activities. To request reasonable accommodation, contact Alex Chancellor, SHRM-SCP at [email protected] or (510) 214-2691. 

Voyage Foods will only employ those who are legally authorized to work in the United States for this opening. Any offer of employment is conditioned upon the successful completion of a background check.