Magic Spoon

R&D Manager

Magic Spoon • $125K — $150K *
New York, NY 10025In-Person
Food & Beverages
5 - 7 years of experience
Today
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Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 6-10+ years of product development experience in food, CPG, or related industries
  • Proven experience leading formulation, scale-up, and commercialization with co-manufacturers
  • Strong knowledge of food science, ingredient functionality, processing, and regulatory requirements
  • Experience managing and developing technical teams
  • Deep understanding of manufacturing processes, cost drivers, and quality systems

Responsibilities

  • Oversee scientist's lab work, scale up trials, and factory first productions
  • Stay updated on competitive products and market trends
  • Evaluate ideas for innovation using industry knowledge and external partners
  • Manage team workload and support their professional development
  • Collaborate cross-functionally to align product development goals
  • Develop and execute product testing plans internally and externally
  • Identify opportunities for process improvements and efficiencies

Benefits

  • Competitive salary & equity
  • Bonus eligibility
  • 100% covered Health, Vision, Dental insurance (50% for dependents)
  • 401(k) with company match
  • Generous parental leave
  • Flexible vacation
  • Paid company holidays
  • Paid sick leave
  • Catered lunch in office
  • Dog friendly office
  • Unlimited cereal
Full Job Description
The Research and Development Manager will lead and manage all aspects of the technical pipeline from concept through commercialization, ensuring proper execution. This role will report into our Senior Director, Product and will oversee the work and development of a Food Scientist, and their direct report (Associate Food Scientist).

This is a full time, in-person/hybrid role (Tues, Weds, Thurs in office) based in Tribeca, NYC, with additional days in office as needed.

In this role you will:

  • Support innovation and renovation pipeline by overseeing scientist's lab work, scale up trials, factory 1st productions, and post launch updates
  • Stay abreast of competitive products to ensure we stay competitive, review gaps in market, and stay on top of customer insights and trends
  • Evaluate ideas for new innovation using industry knowledge, external partners, rapid prototyping, etc.
  • Manage team of food scientist's workload and professional development
  • Collaborates cross functionally to ensure alignment of product development goals
  • Create in-budget and in-specification products that meet consumer expectations
  • Work internally and externally to develop and execute against product testing plans
  • Ensure proper oversight of nutrition fact panel generation and ingredient declarations for all new and updated products
  • Travel to factories to support start up of new products and equipment as needed
  • Problem solve and offer solutions to technical and business issues as they arise based on knowledge of manufacturing and formulation
  • Support operations team in cost savings and efficiency measures from scoping to first production
  • Identify and action opportunities for process improvements and efficiencies within the product department

Requirements
  • 6-10+ years of product development experience in food, CPG, or related industries
  • Proven experience leading formulation, scale-up, and commercialization with co-manufacturers
  • Strong knowledge of food science, ingredient functionality, processing, and regulatory requirements
  • Experience managing and developing technical teams
  • Deep understanding of manufacturing processes, cost drivers, and quality systems
  • Experience with PLM systems, formulation tools (e.g., Genesis), and supplier documentation
  • Ability to balance consumer expectations, cost targets, and operational realities
  • Strong problem-solving skills with the ability to navigate ambiguity and technical complexity
  • Highly collaborative, with the ability to influence cross-functionally
  • Organized, proactive, and comfortable owning multiple work streams at once
  • Hands-on leader who can switch between strategic thinking and tactical execution
  • Travel required for the role ~20-50%

Benefits
  • Competitive salary & equity
  • Bonus eligibility
  • 100% covered Health, Vision, Dental insurance (50% covered for dependents)
  • 401(k) with company match
  • Generous parental leave
  • Flexible vacation
  • Paid company holidays
  • Paid sick leave
  • Catered lunch in office
  • Dog friendly office
  • Unlimited cereal


About Magic Spoon

Magic Spoon is a food company that produces a line of cereals that are high in protein and low in sugar. The company was founded in 2019 by four entrepreneurs who wanted to create a healthier alternative to traditional breakfast cereals. Magic Spoon's cereals are made with natural ingredients and come in a variety of flavors, including cocoa, fruity, and cinnamon. The company has received funding from a number of prominent investors, including Alexis Ohanian and Gary Vaynerchuk.
Learn more about Magic Spoon
Size
50 employees
Industry
Food & Beverages
Founded
2019
* Ladders Estimates

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