Director, R&D

Description

We are thrilled to announce an incredible opportunity to join our dynamic team at Orgain, a leading company in the world of organic and plant-based nutrition. We're on a mission to make clean nutrition accessible to all and empower individuals to live vibrant and healthy lives. We are revolutionizing the way people nourish their bodies by providing clean, organic, and delicious products. As a Certified B Corp, we are committed to using our business as a force for good, prioritizing social and environmental responsibilities alongside our passion for creating nutritious products.

Orgain fosters a collaborative and supportive work environment, where everyone's unique ideas and contributions are highly valued. Join a team that encourages open communication, teamwork, and a shared commitment to our mission while investing in your growth and development. As an Orgain team member, you'll have access to various opportunities for learning and development and the chance to expand your skills in a fast-paced and innovative industry.

We are seeking passionate, dynamic, and determined individuals who are ready to make a meaningful impact and contribute to our mission. Join us in making a meaningful impact and contribute to transforming the way people approach nutrition. Together, we can make a positive difference in the world. Come join our crew and let’s turn dreams into reality together. We can’t wait to meet you and embark on this incredible journey together to nourish and inspire.

WHO WE ARE

Orgain® makes delicious Organic nutritional products including nutrition shakes, protein shakes, protein bars and protein powders to help people lead healthy, vibrant lives. Orgain was created by Dr. Andrew Abraham, whose own experience seeking high-quality organic nutrition during his cancer treatment years ago inspired him to develop products for active people in need of great-tasting wholesome nourishment on the go. Available online and in over 30k stores nationwide, Orgain is perfect for busy lifestyles, weight management & fitness training/recovery.

Orgain is a dynamic, fast-growing company driven by smart, creative minds with a passion for learning, rooted in kindness. Our employees are warm, authentic, passionate, and inspiring and we are hiring. 

WHAT WILL YOU DO

The Director, R&D, helps enable Orgain’s growth by working to ensure that our products meet quality, regulatory and brand requirements. This position utilizes educational background, professional experience, scientific method, creativity, and logic to lead the development of new products and revitalization of core products for Ready-to-Drink (RTD) formats. 

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

 • Designs and develops products under the RTD platform which includes new items, optimizations, and cost savings from ideation though commercialization, that meet product guidelines.

• Executes materials and experiments, gathers, and analyzes data, develops preliminary findings, prepares, and presents written conclusive reports and summaries to supervisor for projects.

• Leads and manages all R&D duties throughout product lifecycle which also includes plant trial testing, cross functional product cuttings and communication, sensory testing, shelf life, regulatory review.    

• Leads the investigation and execution of novel technologies, such as new ingredients or product platforms as needed.

• In partnership with the VP of R&D, develops best practices to support efficient and optimal R&D functioning which includes lab management, standard operating procedures, shelf life and sensory testing techniques.   

• Takes on additional tasks as needed to support company business objectives.

• In partnership with the VP of R&D, establish and execute best ways of working, agile innovation, rapid prototyping, and decision-making tools, to develop, scale, and launch multiple products into new categories.

• Leads and collaborates with internal cross-functional teams and externally as a technical expert when required to complete the objective at hand.     

• Drive cost savings as a leader and partner to support company profits.

• Set individual goals for improving and expanding on everyday job functions, as well as on the greater social and environmental aspects of your work. We expect that you remain accountable to these goals and report your progress in performance reviews.

• Adhere to Orgain’s environmental policies, including our environmental purchasing and recycling policies. 

• Be an active member in enhancing Orgain’s social and environmental impact. Help us continue to evolve our commitment to the planet and the people we serve.

• Encourage team members’ progress to their individual goals and facilitate group goal-setting for social and environmental performance consistent with Orgain’s ESG program.

• Coach/lead and provide interpersonal relationship development for all direct reports. Key activities include:

 - Creation of an environment to provide formal and informal feedback; coaching to assist in growth of career and key competencies;

 - Providing day-to-day guidance and problem-solving;

 - Identifying and selecting team members; and

 - Driving high performance management with clear measures of success.

• Comply with all company policies and procedures.

Requirements

• Education: B.S. degree in Food Science. Advanced degree preferred.

• Experience: Minimum of 8 years of experience, 5 years of formulation and commercialization of high protein (dairy or plant), aseptic RTD experience.  

• Travel: Willingness and ability to travel up to 25%, including overnights and weekends, as an effective and professional representative of Orgain.  

• Hours: Willingness and ability to work a variety of shifts, including overnights and weekends, as needed for projects.

• Equipment: Working knowledge of bench top analytical and physical testing equipment and methods, including scales, pH meters, viscometers, moisture analyzer.

• Programs: Strong computer skills, especially working with nutritional software, spreadsheets, and quality systems. Experience with Excel, ESHA Genesis, project management software, Trace Gains preferred.

• Skills and Programs: 

     - Good laboratory practices including organized data documentation and presentation, attention to detail, and ability to develop and follow batch protocols.

     - Tasting: Ability to consume a variety of allergens (wheat, peanut, tree nut, almond, dairy, and sesame).

     - Sensory: Knowledge and experience in conducting sensory evaluations and draw conclusions to navigate development.  

     - Shelf Life: Ability to design valid tests and draw conclusions.  

     - Management: Ability to lead and manage others effectively and efficiently.  

• Project Management, Communication and Teamwork: 

     - Excellent project management skills with ability to prioritize multiple activities simultaneously in a fast-paced environment.

     - Excellent communication skills with ability to identify critical path items and risks, and effectively communicate these to the broader team.

     - Ability to work collaboratively across levels and functions internally and with third parties.

• Culture: Experience working through ambiguity, adapting to change, and persevering.  A drive for results/can-do mentality is critical to success.

• Physical: Ability to lift 30# for occasional trials, bulk lab ingredients.  

• Ability to drive and influence complex decision-making with various stakeholder groups and build consensus.

• 2 years of relevant experience working in CPG environment preferred.

• Strong organizational skills, detail orientation, and commitment.

• Self-directed with a demonstrated sense of accountability.

• Ability to adapt to the changing needs of a dynamic growth-oriented business.

• Effective leadership, teamwork and organizational skills.

• This position requires ongoing sensory (Tasting, Smelling, Touching, Seeing) evaluation on many different types of foods and food ingredients with known allergens or sensitizers including but not limited to dairy, wheat, coconut, sesame, tree nuts, peanuts, sulfites, gluten, chocolate, fruit, natural sweeteners, colors.  Candidate must be able to safely consumer these known allergens and sensitizers.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Position located in Irvine, CA and requires 5 days a week in office subject to change per business needs. May include prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer.

At Orgain, we aim to maximize our positive impact in the community and for the planet. We are committed to increasing the social and environmental responsibility of our business while maintaining the exceptional quality of our products. Each team member is responsible for taking part in reducing our environmental impact and fostering an inclusive work environment. As a member of our team, you have a valuable contribution to make to our progress as a sustainable company.

CLASSIFICATION: Exempt

Additional tasks and responsibilities may be assigned to the associate from time to time; the scope of the job may change as necessitated by business demands. This job description does not constitute a contract of employment and the company may exercise its employment-at-will rights at any time.

SALARY RANGE: $165,000 to 180,000 per year

Final salary is commensurate upon a variety of factors, including work location, experience, skills, field of responsibility, and education credentials of the associate. 

Attention Recruiters: Non-Solicited Resumes Not Accepted 

We acknowledge and value the significant role recruiters play in the hiring process and your interest in our company. However, we respectfully ask that recruiters avoid submitting unsolicited resumes on behalf of applicants. Please note that any unsolicited resumes received will be regarded as non-binding. Any resume(s) submitted to Orgain, or any of its employees, agents, directors, or representatives in any form, without an officially initiated search request and an active agreement specifically for this position, will be considered the exclusive property of Orgain.

The Company provides equal opportunity in all of our employment practices to all qualified employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religious creed, sex, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, political affiliation, military status or status as a protected Veteran, physical, mental and/or intellectual disability, age, hair texture and hairstyles, pregnancy, childbirth, (or related medical conditions, including, but not limited to lactation), reproductive health decision-making, marital status, registered domestic partner or civil union status, gender (including sex stereotyping and gender identity or expression), medical condition (including, but not limited to, cancer-related or HIV/AIDS-related), genetic information, or sexual orientation in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws. This policy applies to all aspects of the employment relationship, including recruitment, hiring, compensation, promotion, transfer, disciplinary action, layoff, return from layoff, leave of absence, training and social, and recreational programs.  All such employment decisions will be made without unlawfully discriminating on any prohibited basis. 

Salary : $165,000 - $180,000