Associate R&D Manager - Bob's Red Mill Natural Foods, Inc.

Job Title: Associate R&D Manager

Department: Innovation 

Location: Hybrid - Milwaukie, OR 

Shift: Day, Monday - Friday 

Wage: $91,000 - $110,000 per year, depending on experience    

Our success begins and ends with our people. We embrace diverse perspectives and value unique human experiences. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer that celebrates the diversity of the communities where we live and do business. Applicants for our positions are considered without regard to race, ethnicity, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, religion, military or veteran status, or any other characteristics protected by law. 

Company Overview: At Bob’s Red Mill, we inspire joy with wholesome foods. Since 1978, we have been leading the natural foods industry by providing our customers with good food that makes them feel great. Wholesome means ensuring our food is of the highest quality, empowering and supporting our diverse group of employee owners, respecting our planet, and bettering our communities. We believe that joy is for everyone. 

We believe taking care of our community starts with giving our employee owners the resources to take care of their physical, mental, financial, and future well-being by offering a leading benefits package.  

• Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance 

• 401k, Profit Sharing Program, and Employee Stock Ownership Program (ESOP) 

• Paid Holidays & Vacation 

• 25% Retail Store Discount 

• Employee Assistance Program – counseling, legal issue support, financial guidance, and more. 

• Tuition Reimbursement 

• Childcare Discounts 

• And MORE! 

Purpose: To inspire joy with wholesome foods. 

Values: Respect, Teamwork, Accountability, Determination

Position Overview:Bob's Red Mill is seeking an innovative and solutions-driven R&D Associate Manager who excels in both project management and product development. The role focuses on enhancing existing products, driving new product development in core categories, and ensuring cross-functional alignment. The ideal candidate will have expertise in food science and CPG product development, managing products from concept to commercialization, and translating market research into actionable innovations.

Essential Job Functions:

Project Management

• Lead and manage multiple R&D projects to ensure timelines, objectives, and quality standards are met within the NPD stage-gate process.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including Supply Chain, Sales, Quality Assurance (QA), and Regulatory, to ensure product development aligns with company goals and customer needs.
• Manage the NPD process from concept through commercialization, including product formulation, testing, and scale-up.
• Create project briefs, develop project scopes, and ensure projects are executed within budget constraints.
• Maintains comprehensive documentation of product development processes, including formulation details, testing outcomes, and project status reports.
• Proactively solve problems and adapt plans as project scope or market needs evolve.
• Maintain relationships with suppliers and copackers and ensure alignment with project goals and timelines.

Product Development:

• Drive renovation and line extension projects for existing product categories, focusing on quality improvements, cost optimizations, and innovation.
• Conduct sensory evaluations, lead pilot trials, and oversee shelf-life testing to ensure product quality and performance.
• Develop prototypes, refine product formulas, and recipes to align with consumer preferences and nutritional standards.
• Collaborate with QA to ensure ingredients and products meet regulatory claims and compliance, including nutritional panel development using Genesis.
• Lead quarterly product tastings to monitor quality standards and provide recommendations for product optimization.
• Develop and test products for internal and external presentations, including sensory tests and marketing samples.
• Act as the main point of contact for technical issues related to product optimization, ensuring effective solutions are developed and implemented.
• Collaborates with R&D, Marketing, Supply Chain, and other stakeholders to ensure successful development and launch of new products.
• Complies with all company policies and procedures and operates all equipment in a safe and food-safe manner.
• Complies with Bob’s Red Mill food safety policies and procedures including adherence to FDA regulations, Safe Quality Food (SQF) Standards, and Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs).
• Responsible for reporting food safety and quality concerns to Supervisors and/or Department Manager.
• Performs other duties and tasks as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: 

• Adept at finding simple solutions to complex problems.
• Experienced in recipe and product development processes.
• Ability to effectively lead and manage multiple projects while meeting critical deadlines.
• Ability to proactively solve problems with excellent organizational and communication skills
• Ability to self-motivate and proactively make decisions.
• Ability to approach challenges and problems with a calm demeanor.
• Effective communication skills to collaborate with internal and external stakeholders.
• Ability to adapt to changes, problems, and shifting priorities.
• Ability to balance multiple needs and priorities.
• Highly skilled in using Microsoft 365, especially Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
• Familiarity with ESHA Genesis.
• Ability to read, understand, and communicate information fluently in English.
• Ability to work effectively with a team using direct communication, respect, creativity, and emotional intelligence.
• Demonstrates Respect, Teamwork, Accountability, and Determination.
• Ability to work in an environment where exposure to potential food allergens is or may be present.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• This incumbent may have oversight of up to 3 direct reports.
• This position reports to the Research and Development Manager.

Education and Experience:

• 3 or more years of product development experience, preferably in the consumer packaged goods industry, AND
• Bachelor’s degree in food science or a related discipline; OR
• Any combination of education and additional years of experience that provides the necessary skills, knowledge, and ability to perform assigned tasks.

Preferred Skills:

• Familiarity with whole grains and natural foods.
• Familiarity with the Bob's Red Mill product line.
• Familiarity with Stage Gate project management processes.
• Strong understanding of QA regulations, FDA compliance, ingredient sourcing, and partnering with suppliers/copackers.
• Experience in conducting sensory evaluations, pilot trials, and full-scale commercialization.

Physical Demands: 

• This position requires the ability to sit for up to approximately 2 hours at a time.

Work Environment:

• The primary environment for this position is an office setting, with time spent in production facilities, labs and test kitchens as needed.
• Occasional business travel required, 10-15% dependent on project needs.
• Employees will be exposed to common food allergens.