We started Van Leeuwen Ice Cream in a yellow truck on the streets of NYC in 2008 with a mission to make good ice cream that makes you feel good.

Nowadays, people can spend so much time on what's "healthy" they don't stop to consider what's healthy. As far as we're concerned, happiness is healthiness. We strive to ensure every scoop, store and employee feels and creates one community to contribute to the overall brand.

Van Leeuwen Ice Cream is hiring a full-time Commercialization Manager based out of our Greenpoint facility. This is a great opportunity for an experienced individual to work closely with the founding team of Van Leeuwen Ice Cream as the company embarks on its next stage of major growth. The ideal candidate is someone who is a true foodie, innovative, driven, and can thrive in a fast-paced environment (and loves ice cream!).

The Commercialization Manager will report directly to the Commercialization + Innovation Sr. Manager. The main role of the Commercialization Manager is to ensure that Van Leeuwen Ice Cream continues to churn out the most innovative, high quality ice cream possible, keeping food trends and branding in mind always.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

FLAVOR INNOVATION

• Supporting the launch schedule for new flavors and formats making sure they are of intended quality and cost
• Receive, log, test and approve samples of new or substitution ingredients before ordering for full scale production
• Create flavor concepts and formulas for LTO flavors (new store openings, collaborations, seasonal pints, events, etc)
• Research flavor trends and innovations based on the ice cream industry, restaurant menus, internet trends, new ingredient innovation, and seasonal products to inform Flavor Lab innovations
• Gather all necessary documents for new ingredients to ensure they meet our flavor and quality standards
• Work with suppliers on meeting our ingredient guardrails with existing or custom products
• Work to re-evaluate ingredients and suppliers based on costs, availability, or improving quality of our final product
• Weekly QA tastings to review amounts of inclusions and formula changes, and address production procedures and/or issues

COPACKER MANAGEMENT

• Assist in launches with copackers to maximize quality, productivity, and revenue
• Collaborate with QA/Food Safety and co-packer to correct production related issues
• Work closely with supply chain to improve strategic decision-making and maximize production efficiencies
• Verify and cross-reference copacker BOMs to ensure products will meet intended standards
• Support in-person trials and first productions at copackers (15% Travel)

MARKETING/WHOLESALE & RETAIL

• Write Flavor Memos for all new products including monthly specials, new toppings, or updated ingredients
• Work directly with collaborating brands and marketing team to create flavors, send samples, and get final BOMs approved and ingredients ordered for new flavors
• Work closely with Sales & Marketing to find portfolio gaps to create new CPG skus
• Ship samples of VL products to wholesale buyers and collaborating teams (often creating custom small batch samples)
• Create ingredient lists, allergen statements, and nutritional panels for CPG. Proof and approve final artwork for packaging alongside marketing and food safety

JOB REQUIREMENTS

• 3 to 5 years of experience in an R&D or commercialization role
• Food Science or Engineering background required
• Experience in Food Manufacturing preferred
• Experience with Co-Packer Management a plus
• Experience with Project Management and Timeline Management a plus
• Proficiency in Google and Microsoft product suites
• Advanced Mathematical Reasoning
• Strong Attention to Detail
• Strong Interpersonal and Communication Skills for External Partners and Internal Cross-Functional Partners
• Experience with MOX and NFP Label Review a plus
• In-office 4-5x/week
• Innovative spirit and creativity

Compensation + Benefits

$80,000 - 100,000 annual compensation depending on experience, paid weekly

Eligible for annual 10% bonus

• Employee Scoop Card (Enjoy Ice Cream from any of our scoop shops nationwide)
• Medical, Dental + Vision Insurance with 70% Employer Contribution
• 401k with up to 4% Employer Match
• Cell Phone Reimbursement Plan
• Wellness Reimbursement Plan
• Paid Time Off - 3 Weeks / 120 Hours Total
• Paid Sick Time
• Yearly Performance Reviews

Van Leeuwen Ice Cream is committed to pay transparency and equity among all employees and provides employees an environment where pay transparency and dialogue on compensation are allowed. Van Leeuwen Ice Cream complies with Equal Employment Opportunity laws as well as federal, state, and local laws on compensation, pay transparency, and pay equity.

The actual base salary offered will depend on a variety of factors, including without limitation, the qualifications of the individual applicant for the position, years of relevant experience, level of education attained, certifications or other professional licenses held.

Salary Range

$80,000-$100,000 USD

Here at Van Leeuwen, Good Ice Cream Is For Everyone! As an equal opportunity employer, we strive to foster a welcoming, diverse environment for every employee and customer. We pride ourselves on the creativity that goes into our ice cream and is built in our stores (by YOU) that help us meet our missions and values.