Job Description

Hartmann Young is exclusively partnered with a market-leading food and beverage manufacturer specialising in low-acid aseptic processing , with a focus on clean-label, functional, and ready-to-drink formulations.

We are hiring a Director of R&D to lead product innovation and process development at the Lathrop, CA site. This facility plays a critical role in scaling innovation, supporting national customer accounts, and leading new product commercialisation.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead all R&D initiatives across product development, process optimisation, and pilot plant operations.
• Develop innovative formulations in protein shakes, oat milk, dairy alternatives, and shelf-stable sauces that meet consumer trends and customer specifications.
• Oversee benchtop to commercial-scale transition, managing trial runs and collaborating closely with Operations and Quality.
• Build and lead a team of food scientists, technologists, and regulatory support personnel.
• Work directly with the sales and marketing teams to respond to customer briefs and support co-manufacturing partnerships.
• Ensure regulatory compliance for U.S. and international food safety standards (FDA, FSMA, etc.).
• Serve as the R&D voice at the senior leadership table, contributing to long-term innovation strategy.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s in Food Science, Nutrition, Biochemistry, or related discipline.
• 8+ years of R&D leadership experience in the food & beverage industry , particularly in low-acid aseptic processing or functional RTDs .
• Expertise in emulsion systems, protein fortification, flavor masking, and shelf-stable formulation.
• Hands-on experience with scale-up, co-manufacturing, and pilot testing environments.
• Strong knowledge of FDA labelling and regulatory requirements for nutritional products.

Preferred

• Experience working with plant-based proteins, dairy alternatives, or nutritional beverages.
• Familiarity with advanced processing technologies (UHT, HTST, retort).

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