Kinder's Premium Quality Seasonings & Sauces

Research & Development Manager

Walnut Creek, CA · Exec

Sponsorship not specified$130k-$150kDetected 1 day ago

SparkProject ManagementSupply ChainResearchLeadershipCommunicationCollaborationOrganizational SkillsFood ScienceSensory Analysis

About the role

Well, there's a lot of snacking and geeking out over what we all cooked over the weekend.
Beyond that, there's also plenty of hard work.
Because we don't just like flavor, we're obsessed with it.

Support the end-to-end product development process - from concept ideation to launch - ensuring alignment with brand priorities, timelines, and cost objectives.
Partner closely with Operations, Marketing, Culinary, and Supply Chain to translate consumer insights into technically feasible, scalable, and commercially viable products.
Support formulation work, pilot plant trials, and production scale-ups to ensure successful transfer from bench to manufacturing.
Manage multiple projects concurrently, ensuring milestones, deliverables, and communication are clear and on track.
Lead Product Development
Drive Innovation & Continuous Improvement
Troubleshoot issues and optimize for quality and consistency.
Maintain visibility to leadership through status updates and documentation.
Collaborate with Quality Assurance and Regulatory teams to ensure product compliance with ingredient standards, labeling requirements, and nutritional accuracy.
Excellent project management and organizational skills with the ability to manage competing priorities.

Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Chemical Engineering, or related field (Master's preferred).
6-10 years of experience in food product development.
Proven success in CPG innovation
meat, sauces, seasonings, or condiments experience preferred.
Strong technical knowledge of formulation, ingredient functionality, sensory evaluation, and scale-up.
Effective communicator and collaborator across multiple functions and levels.
Passion for great food and consumer-driven innovation.
MUST BE ABLE TO TRAVEL UP TO 20%

The expected starting salary range for this role is $130,000- $150,000 per year.

We offer a range of total rewards that may include paid time off, 401k, bonus / incentive eligibility, equity grants, competitive health benefits, and other family-friendly benefits, including parental leave.
Kinder's benefits vary based on eligibility and can be reviewed in more detail during the interview process.

equal opportunity employer.
If you have a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act or similar law, and you need any accommodation during the

applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, ancestry, national origin, gender, citizenship, marital status, religion, age, disability, gender identity, results of genetic testing,

This listing is sourced directly from Kinder's Premium Quality Seasonings & Sauces's careers page and normalized into a canonical job model.