Director of Research and Development

Meet Us: King Arthur Baking Company is an award-winning, audience-leading baking company with a strategic vision to be the resource for baking education and inspiration. Through traditional and new media, in-person and virtual education, we strive to be a leader in helping novice and expert bakers alike. We're not going anywhere - we've been part of the family since 1790. We work to build stronger communities and increase access and the connection to real foods. We take pride in our responsible sourcing and our "never bleached" guarantee. And we work closely with farmers, millers, and suppliers in a continued commitment toward sustainability. Our wheat flour is grown and milled right here in the United States. Flour this good uses only the purest ingredients, free from GMOs. As a founding B Corporation, we are committed to using the power of business as a force for social and environmental good. We believe every employee's contributions make our company what it is: vibrant, successful, and committed to spreading the joy of baking. We are a welcoming and inclusive 100% employee-owned company.

The Position: The Director of Research & Development leads innovation and product renovation at King Arthur Baking, overseeing product formulation, recipe development, and testing. This role provides strategic direction for the R&D team, managing prioritization, structure, and budgets while staying ahead of industry trends to identify new product opportunities. The Director ensures FDA compliance, supports sustainability initiatives, and collaborates with cross-functional teams on ingredient sourcing, manufacturing, and quality standards. They also contribute to marketing, sensory evaluations, packaging reviews, and editorial initiatives to drive product excellence and consumer engagement.

The Benefits: Yes, we have the regular "stuff" - medical, dental, vision, company paid short- and long-term disability, life insurance, paid parental leave, paid time off to rest, paid holidays to have fun, a 401(K) with a company match. But here's what makes us different: 40 paid volunteer hours a year, profit sharing*, participation in the Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP)* and knowing that those working with you are dedicated and engaged co-employee owners that believe in you and your extraordinary abilities to move us all forward.

The Location: White River Junction, VT; onsite daily.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Lead, mentor, and develop the Research and Development Team, setting strategic direction, defining priorities, and ensuring alignment with company goals.
• Shape the organizational structure and team utilization, providing recommendations to optimize efficiency, innovation, and talent development while managing the R&D budget.
• Manages product formulation and recipe development, and the testing and evaluation process across all innovation and renovation projects.
• Research and monitor industry and consumer trends, develop relationships with ingredient suppliers and manufacturing partners and participate in professional development, identify opportunities for new product introductions.
• Drive continuous improvement by recommending updates to existing products based on trends, operational efficiencies, cost analysis, and raw material availability.
• Provides guidance and recommendations on product formulations and product claims based on maintaining a current understanding of FDA regulations and KAB Food Safety and Quality Standards.
• Partners with KAB Sourcing team to identify needed ingredients and continue to develop our ingredient supply chain to meet our Sustainability initiatives.
• Supports KAB-owned Manufacturing and Co-Manufacturing locations with Quality, Production and Ingredient support.
• Collaborate with sales and marketing teams, offering expertise in recipe development, product demonstrations, and sample production to enhance customer engagement.
• Participates in ongoing Packaging review as part of new product development and renovation work.
• Participates in ongoing test kitchen recipe development review and other Editorial-led initiatives.
• Participates in the sensory evaluation program ensuring robust testing protocols that drive product excellence and consumer satisfaction.

Education and Experience

• 12 years' experience in Food Research & Development
• 6 years of proven managerial experience leading and developing high-performing R&D function
• Expertise in high-level baking processes and techniques, and proven ability in scaling recipes from test kitchen to commercial production while maintaining taste, quality and financial targets
• Strong knowledge and understanding of the Code of Federal Regulations Title 21 (food), training in sensory, basic food safety, and FDA labeling requirements
• Familiarity with sustainability initiatives, ingredient sourcing, and supply chain management in the food industry
• Baking experience in a commercial bakery or restaurant a plus
• Culinary degree or Pastry and Baking degree a plus
• Knowledge of industry-standard sensory evaluation protocols
• Proficient in Microsoft suite and integrating new technologies (AI included) into the R&D process
• Experience collaborating with cross-functional teams, including Marketing, Sales, Manufacturing, and Supply Chain.
• BS in Food Science or BS in a related science field with demonstrated relevant work experience
• We value those who can demonstrate capability and articulate how prior experiences will help them transition into this role.

Competencies

• Leadership: Ability to inspire and motivate a team, foster collaboration, set self and team priorities, and drive results.
• Technical Expertise: Mastery understanding of baking processes, ingredient functionalities, and food chemistry.
• Innovation: Ability to think creatively, generate new ideas, and drive innovation in baking product development. Initiative to deliver innovative ideas outside of the traditional commercialization process that provide incremental avenues for growth.
• Communication: Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to convey and present creative ideas and information to both industry and non-industry stakeholders through both written materials and product demonstration.
• Problem Solving: Analytical and critical-thinking skills to address challenges and find practical solutions in the development process.
• Project Management: Ability to oversee multiple projects, meet deadlines, and make cost-effective decisions.
• Adaptability: Ability to adapt to changing priorities and thrive in a dynamic and fast-paced work environment.
• Team Collaboration: Ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams, including marketing(brand, innovation, editorial, direct-to-consumer), operations (commercialization, sourcing, quality, etc.), and sales.

Success factors for this role

• Genuine enthusiasm for King Arthur’s mission and products and a commitment to living our values
• Is community-minded, gets involved, volunteers

Physical Requirements

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Ability to regularly work in a kitchen environment where allergens may be present
• Ability to regularly touch and taste food products which may contain allergens

• Lift boxed and bagged ingredients weighing 20 pounds, heavier items with assist.
• Stand for up to 7 hours with breaks on occasion, for baking or process testing in manufacturing.
• Sit for up to 8 hours at a desk/computer

Work environment

• The day is divided between computer work at a desk setting and a hot kitchen/bakery.
• Occasionally work in a manufacturing facility which may be cold, hot, loud or dusty.

Safety

• Understands that safety is the responsibility of everyone at the organization.
• Responsible for providing a safe and ergonomically sound work environment, identifying unsafe conditions, and correcting these conditions immediately.
• Engages in safety and compliance training programs and encourage 100% team participation in same

Environment

• Adheres to company-wide sustainability norms and looks for ways to reduce, reuse, recycle.
• Educates oneself on KAB environmental campaigns.
• Strives to continually improve and implement new processes to reduce our environmental impact.

Supervision

• Research and Development Team

Travel

• Up to 15% travel

Other Duties

• Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

It is the responsibility of every employee to contribute to a positive work environment through cooperative and professional interactions with co-workers, customers and vendors.

There's room at our table for you! Apply today.

Equal Employment Opportunity Employer

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or any other factors protected by law. King Arthur Baking provides reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities to allow them to participate in both the application process and during employment. Such individuals are encouraged to seek accommodations to allow them to apply for a position, participate in the application process, and meet the essential functions and requirements of the position.

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  Amounts vary based on achievement of financial targets. Participation based on hire date and program entry date.