Product Developer

Our Research & Development team is proud of where we’ve been, but more interested in where we’re going. This team drives creativity, growing our portfolio of products. Here, you’ll drive product development and innovation, by leveraging your curiosity, technical knowledge of formulation, and food and beverage experience.  You will be leading projects from idea to commercialization, with the sense of ownership, creativity, curiosity precision, and collaboration

Reports to: Technical Innovation Manager

Direct Reports: N/A

Location: Onsite at our Preston, WA office 5 days a week

*While we strive to offer flexibility, this role also requires it. There may be times when you're expected to come onsite outside your typical in-office days to support special projects, team events, or other business needs.

Annual Bonus Potential: 7% - Eligibility is based on the company hitting annual financial targets.

Salary: $104,000 - $129,000

Note: New hires typically receive between minimum and midpoint, however, we may go slightly higher based on experience, internal equity and market.

• Participate in the identification, design, development, creation, and testing of product prototypes

• Drive and lead end-to-end product development projects from benchtop through commercialization and product reassessment.

• Use knowledge of ingredient functionality, processing parameters, and flavor functionality to develop finished formulas and rapid prototypes to test with consumer

• Manages multiple projects of various degrees of difficulty as well as more complex and long-term projects that require sustained involvement and coordination skills across several divisions and includes multiple outside resources.

• Collaborate with Marketing, Insights, Operations, Procurement, Quality and Engineering in the Product Development process

• Responsible for creating design of experiments, and leading and conducting trials required for product validation during the development phase.

• Compiles, provides and communicates data clearly in relation to moving products to the commercialization phase  

• Develops initial cost of goods, specifications of process control and finished specification.

• Identify and lead opportunities to plan, formulate, and research the development of new products.

• Creatively solve technical problems in a rapid, efficient manner.

• Work with vendors and ingredient suppliers to develop product solutions, including optimal solutions for process implementation and improvement, while also building an external innovation network.

• Proactively identifies, initiates, and leads optimization opportunities for formulation and production - resulting in improved quality, efficiency, and reduced costs.

• Partner with our supplier and co-packer networks to deliver meaningful impact to the company (e.g., cost reduction, innovation, etc.) and to facilitate knowledge transfer and decision making.

• Analyze and present project results outlining and recommending the next steps to internal stakeholders.

• Ability to take initiative and prioritize tasks; good time-management, organizational, problem-prevention and problem-solving skills.

• Ensure food safety, quality, and SQF practices are always followed, notifying immediate manager of any food safety and/or quality issues.

• Complete other responsibilities as assigned.

We create connections with every sip. And we’ve found a lot of value in in-person connections! As a young, fast-growing company, we’re still creating and refining the systems that will fuel our future growth. Onsite presence is beyond collaboration, and here is why onsite presence matters:

• Drive Innovation through Proximity: Face-to-face sparks those "aha" moments that fuel better solutions, especially when collaborating with Rain Makers in Brand Innovation, Supply Chain, and Quality Commercialization departments in a rapidly evolving business environment. 

• Reinforces culture and shared accountability – Working side-by-side fosters trust, shared ownership, and a stronger connection to our mission.

• Creates agility – The speed at which we need to adapt to market changes makes onsite coordination with multiple departments a competitive advantage. 

• 5+ years of product development experience, ideally in the beverage industry.

• Bachelor’s degree in Food Science or related field preferred; equivalent experience.

• Strong working knowledge of food science principles, chemical composition of food and ingredients, ingredient functionality, food manufacturing and package development processes and ingredient functionality.

• Thrives in a fast-paced environment with the opportunity to learn and make an impact quickly.

• Strong Project Management Skills.

• Experience with low/no sugar and functional beverages.

• Strong Experience and understanding of flavors.

• Expert ability to multi-task and contribute to multiple projects at the same time.

• Creates increased benefits and successes through collaboration and by sharing ideas and resources.

• Creative, proactive self-starter who is organized with a strong attention to detail.

• Foodies are highly preferred.

• Ability to accommodate a flexible schedule, occasionally working evenings and weekends as needed for special assignments.

• Ability to travel 25-30% to support trials, vendor visits, co-manufacturer visits, etc.