What are the responsibilities and job description for the R&D Manager position at MUSH?
Job Title: R&D Manager
Location: Salt Lake City
MUSH is a people-first food company on a mission to fuel humanity with healthy food and
positive energy. We believe that food's first job is to nourish us, and public health is a public
good. If you aspire to make the world a little healthier and want to build a reputation of doing
hard things well, MUSH may be a great place for you.
Position Overview:
The R&D Manager will oversee and drive the innovation, development, and optimization of new food and beverage products. This individual will develop and lead a team of scientists and product developers to create high-quality, market-leading products from concept to commercialization. The ideal candidate will be highly experienced in food development, possess strong project management skills, and have a deep understanding of consumer trends and market needs in the food and beverage industry.
Key Responsibilities:
1. Leadership & Team Management:
○ Lead, mentor, and manage a team of R&D professionals to deliver innovative product concepts, formulations, and prototypes.
○ Foster a collaborative and innovative culture within the R&D team, ensuring alignment with the company’s overall strategic vision.
○ Establish and maintain strong cross-functional relationships with marketing, plant operations, supply chain, and quality assurance teams.
○ Build processes, frameworks, and guardrails to meet business and lab needs.
2. Product Development & Innovation:
○ Drive the development of new food and beverage products that meet market demand, consumer trends, and regulatory requirements.
○ Manage the ideation, prototyping, and testing phases for new products, ensuring all products meet taste, quality, nutritional, and cost parameters.
○ Work with external suppliers, ingredient providers, and manufacturers to ensure the successful launch of new products.
○ Ensure product formulations are scalable and adaptable for mass production.
3. Project Management:
○ Oversee multiple R&D projects, ensuring they are completed on time and within budget.
○ Develop detailed project plans, timelines, and resource allocations for new product development.
○ Monitor progress, resolve issues, and report status updates to senior management.
4. Quality Assurance & Compliance:
○ Ensure all products meet regulatory and safety standards for the markets in which they will be sold.
○ Lead efforts to optimize product quality, consistency, and manufacturing efficiency.
○ Work closely with the Quality Assurance team to establish testing protocols, standards, and validation procedures.
5. Consumer Insights & Trend Analysis:
○ Conduct research and analysis to understand consumer preferences, industry trends, and competitor activities.
○ Utilize consumer insights to guide product development, ensuring products are aligned with market needs.
○ Identify and pursue emerging trends in the food and beverage space, positioning the company as a leader in innovation.
6. Continuous Improvement:
○ Lead continuous improvement efforts in both product development and process optimization.
○ Analyze the performance of launched products, gather feedback, and make recommendations for future iterations or product enhancements.
○ Ensure the company’s R&D efforts are aligned with its sustainability goals and social responsibility initiatives.
Qualifications:
● Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Food Science, Chemistry, Engineering, or a related field.
● 7 years of experience in R&D within the food and beverage industry, with a track record of successfully bringing products to market.
● Proven experience in managing cross-functional teams and leading complex product development projects.
● Strong understanding of food product development processes, ingredient functionality, and food safety regulations.
● Experience with flavor development, product testing, and sensory evaluation is preferred.
● Ability to translate consumer trends into actionable product concepts.
● Exceptional communication, leadership, and problem-solving skills.
● Strong project management skills with the ability to prioritize and manage multiple initiatives simultaneously.
Benefits and Perks:
● Medical, Dental, Vision
● Life Insurance
● 401K including company match
● Unlimited PTO
● 9 Holidays
● Unlimited MUSH in office
● Company Swag
MUSH is an equal opportunity employer, committed to creating a diverse environment. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.
