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Sr. Manager, Research & Development

Sr. Manager, Research & Development

Kinder'sWalnut Creek, CA, US
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Job Description

Job Description

ABOUT US AT KINDER'S :

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

With over 100 products sold nationwide, we're now a top-five brand in multiple flavor categories at Costco, Walmart, Whole Foods, and more. But we're not your typical CPG company. Privately held and founder-led, we like to think of ourselves as a pirate ship in a sea of cruise ships. Our crew is adventurous and fearless. We chart our own course and chase big ideas to make food unforgettable.

As we expand globally and approach $1 billion in revenue, we need other smart-and-scrappy, flavor-obsessed people to come aboard. If you're looking for a place where you can see the real impact of your work, this is it. Every day, you'll be part of a journey to add flavor to millions of meals and lives.

We are Seeking :

At Kinder's, we're passionate about creating food that brings people together. The Senior Manager, Research & Development will be responsible for leading the development and execution of new and improved products across retail, club, and foodservice channels. This role will drive product formulation, process development, and innovation from concept through commercialization, ensuring every product meets Kinder's high standards for taste, quality, and scalability.

This is an exciting opportunity to play a hands-on leadership role in a growing, values-driven food brand — partnering cross-functionally to deliver consumer-loved innovation that fuels Kinder's continued success.

Key Responsibilities of This Role Include :

Lead Product Development

  • Manage the end-to-end product development process — from concept ideation to launch — ensuring alignment with brand priorities, timelines, and cost objectives.

Drive Innovation & Continuous Improvement

  • Identify and execute opportunities for innovation, renovation, and cost optimization across Kinder's portfolio, leveraging emerging ingredients, technologies, and process improvements.

    • Cross-Functional Collaboration

  • Partner closely with Operations, Marketing, Culinary, and Supply Chain to translate consumer insights into technically feasible, scalable, and commercially viable products.

    • Technical Execution & Scale-Up

  • Lead formulation work, pilot plant trials, and production scale-ups to ensure robust transfer from bench to manufacturing.
  • Troubleshoot issues and optimize for quality and consistency.

    • Project Management

  • Manage multiple projects concurrently, ensuring milestones, deliverables, and communication are clear and on track.
  • Maintain visibility to leadership through status updates and documentation.

    • Regulatory & Quality Alignment

  • Collaborate with Quality Assurance and Regulatory teams to ensure product compliance with ingredient standards, labeling requirements, and nutritional accuracy.

    • Team Development

  • Mentor and develop junior food scientists and technicians, fostering a culture of collaboration, curiosity, and accountability within the R&D team.

    • Skills + Experience Needed for this Role :

  • Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Chemical Engineering, or related field (Master's preferred).
  • 10+ years of experience in food product development, with at least 3+ years in a people or project leadership role.
  • Proven success in CPG innovation; sauces, seasonings, or condiments experience preferred.
  • Strong technical knowledge of formulation, ingredient functionality, sensory evaluation, and scale-up.
  • Excellent project management and organizational skills with the ability to manage competing priorities.
  • Effective communicator and collaborator across multiple functions and levels.
  • Passion for great food and consumer-driven innovation.

    • Personal Attributes for Success :

  • Results-oriented, hands-on leader who thrives in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.
  • Collaborative and influential communicator who builds trust across teams.
  • Curious, resourceful, and solution-oriented with strong attention to detail.
  • Committed to quality, integrity, and continuous improvement.

    • The expected starting salary range for this role is $150,000- $165,000 per year. We may ultimately pay more or less than the posted range based on the location of the role. The amount a particular employee will earn within the salary range will be based on factors such as relevant education, qualifications, performance and business needs.

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    Sr Manager Research • Walnut Creek, CA, US