Associate Director, Scale-up & Commercialization

Here’s What All The Hype Is About…

Premier Nutrition Company (PNC) is one of the fastest-growing companies in the convenient nutrition space showing clear leadership in the category of protein shakes and protein powders. We make the brands Premier Protein, Dymatize, and PowerBar, which is sold internationally, and we are part of our holding company, BellRing Brands (NYSE: BRBR).

We have a simple, yet powerful, formula for our success, which we’ve been nailing for over 15 years. We start off with an organization powered by our company purpose—Changing Lives with Good Energy. Then our purpose-driven people are given the support and autonomy to develop and grow. Next, we are super-intentional about designing a culture where everyone feels like they truly connect and belong, which is one of our five company core values. Purpose-driven, connected employees who are consistently mastering new skills deliver amazing business results. And winning companies with amazing people and thriving cultures attract and retain top talent, so the cycle becomes self-reinforcing or what we call our regenerative culture.

We don’t mind sharing our formula since, as people who we believe in the power of changing lives with good energy, we think the world would be a better place if more workplaces treated adults like adults and gave them the platform to do the best work of their lives—alongside some truly amazing colleagues. Why don’t more companies do this? It takes deep-in-your-bones conviction to your people, products, and purpose to pull it off. It also takes resisting the urge to try to control people, and instead trusting them to make the right decisions. The results of our vibrant culture speaks for themselves: We were certified as a Great Place to Work™ for the 8 th year-running in 2024. And we currently rank #3 on Fortune Magazine’s Best Workplaces in our category, and in the top 12 for each of the last 6 years.

We have a long list of ways we take care of our people, but here are some crowd-pleasers that our employees often say they love most: Year-round ½ day Fridays, in-office massages, free lunches & snacks, dogs in the office, month-long cultural and diversity celebrations, monthly over-the-top in-office events like bring your kids to work day, 6% 401k match after 1 year, generous paid family leave regardless of gender, all positions bonus-eligible, company-wide volunteer days, company-matched charitable donations, no employee handbook, no dress code, coaching conversations instead of performance reviews, walking meetings, free exercise classes, and company-paid gym membership for Emeryville-based employees.

PNC seeks individuals who will flourish in this type of work environment and will add to our culture and help build this high-growth company for the next phase in our amazing journey. Does this sound like you? Then read on…

The role you’re interested in…

The successful candidate will be a seasoned R&D technical leader that builds and executes Roadmap to Scale Up/Commercialization Excellence in PNC. This person will provide strategic technical leadership in product and process scale up expertise through commercialization and line validation projects, oversight of pilot plants, and other scale-up related initiatives (alternate sourcing, cost optimization, continuous improvement). Experience with low acid aseptic filling process is preferred, in addition, high protein beverage commercialization is ideal.

As a people leader, this role is responsible for technical and professional development of team members, inspiring and engaging talents. The Associate Director will be leading a medium-sized team of 3-5 highly skilled technical individual contributors and technicians, with matrix leadership of 2 senior technical professionals.

This role will oversee scale-up processes from the end of Development Phase to successful Production (commercialization, factory site/line validation processes, and pilot plant facilities) of PNC Ready-to-Drink and Ready-to-Mix product formats through co-manufacturer partners. This technical leader will build with their team well-defined, fit for purpose scale up processes that ensure First Time Right.

To operate effectively, this leader will demonstrate accountability to drive initiatives and performance, by building strong team, strong partnerships with internal and external stakeholders (co-manufacturers, pilot plant service providers, etc.) through an environment of technical excellence, innovation know-how, and entrepreneurial spirit in commercialization and scale up programs to support PNC growth ambition.

If you are ready to flex your thinking between building roadmap, technical problem solving, guiding, enhance scale up program, and coaching team members, then welcome aboard.

The work environment…

So, what’s it like to work here? If you’re based in the greater Bay Area, you’ll walk into our Emeryville office each Tuesday morning and start the in-person portion of our hybrid work week at our weekly all-company meeting and find close to 200 of your colleagues sitting on sofas, beanbag chairs, or the floor excitedly talking through the week ahead and watching a newer teammate tell their personal life and career journey followed by a quick update on any hot topics that might be relevant to the week ahead.

We are a dynamic, HYBRID workplace so every employee who lives within 100 miles of our offices is expected to come in each TUESDAY and WEDNESDAY. We aligned on those two common days way back in 2021 to be intentional about connecting in person for things like innovation, impromptu collaboration, having respectful challenges to get to better decisions, leadership role-modeling, and culture building. Great work cultures are built on stories about what great looks like in practice, and great stories on Zoom meetings are few and far between. The expected pay scale for this role is $175k to $185k, which may vary based on relevant experience, qualifications, geographic area (if applicable), and internal equity for the role.

Our modern 50,000 sq. foot headquarters straddles the border of the cities of Emeryville, Oakland, and Berkeley, California with free onsite parking and many transportation options.

You’re excited about this opportunity because your time will be filled with…

R&I People leadership and culture: 25% of time

• Lead commercialization function for all PNC Inno/reno/efficiency improvement/troubleshooting for external co-manufacturer partners (Up to 25% travel, as needed) and drive first time right mindset
• Embody situational leadership based on skillset of team members and embrace coaching with radical candor; Embrace PNC values in daily activities.
• Identify stretch opportunities for team members and set up safety net so that failing forward is part of mindset. Responsible for technical and professional development based on skillset of team members.
• Lead team to ensure successful completion of projects and balance workload and allocation of R&D staff. Monitors activities against budget.
  
  

Critical thinking and technical leadership: 25% of time

• As a leader of technical Individual Contributors and Pilot Plant operation, build a cohesive and positive environment of technical excellence.
• Champion Best in Class processes to ensure smooth transition between Product Development through Scale Up and Commercialization, driving strategic partnership approach to our external co-manufacturer partners.
• Provide strategic insight to long term R&D plans and/or pipeline – e.g input on resources, skill gaps, equipment needs and facility upgrades, identify opportunities to leverage new tools and processes
• Actively foster an out of the box approach to problem solving, external benchmarking, food processing know-how, increased efficiency, customer centric approach, entrepreneurial spirit all within high trust and integrity.
• Provide technical expertise to solve problems on processing, commercialization, line efficiency and manufacturing process related topics.
• Take active role in high-risk projects, foster risk mitigation approach, remove barriers, help define contingency plans and provide support/mentorship to scientists.
  
  

Process Capability leadership: 15% of the time

• Maintain up to date knowledge of thermal process aseptic and powder blending technologies, provide thought leadership of new/innovative technology validation.
• Keep current knowledge of new and improved processes for manufacturing with specific view for any new technology validation needs and process performance improvement.
• Design and plan equipment layout for pilot plant.
• Troubleshoot problems associated with manufacturing processes.
• Active partnership through Process Authorities network for vetting new technology while balancing Consistent Quality and FS in the scale up process.
• Capturing and communicating effectively detailed technical topics to advance technical topics in cross functional environments.
  
  

Driving Effective Cross Functional Collaboration: 15% of time

• Ability to influence leaders and co-workers across organizations.
• Lead cross-functional initiatives and build cross-functional partnerships.
• Represent R&I function, advocate for R&I resources and provide insights, solutions, and critical thinking as necessary.
  
  

The daily stuff that everyone does but few quantify: 20% of Time.

• Attending meetings and presentations
• Participating in company-wide activities and events galore
• Impromptu conversations with colleagues
• Administrivia like email, calendaring, expense reports, and other non-value-added work
  
  

What are we looking for?

• Ability to apply technical know-out to real world problems
• Ability to explain complex technical subject matters to non-technical team
• Pivot quickly between projects and guide or bring along others
• Strong collaborative skills and ability to work well in teams
• Possess curiosity, creativity, and alternative thinking to develop better or new solutions with a scientific approach
• Ability to explain complex technical subject matters to non-technical teams
  
  

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Food Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or similar field
  
  

Experience

• 8 years of experience within the Food industry (CPG) with aseptic protein liquid and/or powder beverage processing and/or formulation
• 5 years formal leadership of medium sized teams of technical personnel
• Process Capability expertise (6sigma or equivalent)
• Low Acid Aseptic, high protein beverage experience
• Proven track record of Commercializing products at co-manufacturing facilities, collaborating on technical troubleshooting and analytical testing
• Basic Engineering and Mechanical knowledge
  
  

Skills

• Close collaboration with external manufacturing facilities from working level to factory management/leadership.
• Ability to communicate and present technical details to business (effective translation of technical info to business language) to drive decision making.
• Effective management of cross-functional teams and using internal and outside resources to deliver project objectives.
• Demonstrated ability to execute projects within timelines by providing solutions to problems and managing risk.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively in a team environment through excellent interpersonal, influencing and communication skills (both written and verbal).
• Ability to excel in dynamic fast paced business environment, demonstrated ability to self-motivate and manage multiple priorities.
• Travel up to 25% based on need.
  
  

So, if after reading through this long list you’re thinking—I’m not sure I meet 100% of these requirements, should I still apply? YES—if you embody a growth mindset, see challenges as opportunities to develop, and find innovative ways to get the real work that matters done, you sound like our kind of candidate!

Select 5 Key Capabilities & Traits Important to Add to and Diversify your Current Team:

• Emotional intelligence
• Thrive in ambiguity amid competing priorities
• Connect & Belong
• Play to Win
• Creativity, exploration, & innovativeness
  
  

You will thrive here and may just do the best work of your life if…

• You want to be an integral part of shaping and nurturing an amazing work culture.
• You can be flexible in your approach to challenges and abandon past practices if they don’t make sense or lead to a poor outcome.
• You are comfortable being natural, casual, open, and even a bit playful at work.
• You don’t have a big ego and hate siloed thinking.
• You can be friendly, vulnerable, and self-deprecating in one moment, and deal with a challenging, delicate people-related matter as a professional in the next.
• You can do periods of focused, deep work on projects to move the needle.
  
  

This may not be your ideal next career move if…

• You like a lot of structure, rules, predictability and uniformity.
• You like hierarchy, command and control management.
• You want to build lots of processes, systems, governance, or policies and make a beautiful bureaucracy.
• Dealing with ambiguity or experimentation is not your jam.
• You try to resolve challenging interpersonal situations over instant messaging or passive aggression.
• You like managing from your house with your camera off and demonstrating excellence through email.
• You tend to chase whatever shiny object presents itself during the day instead of real results.
  
  

Here’s the deal with our not-so-standard, um…standard interview process because we know you are the curious type, which is why you’re still reading this…

• Quick 30 min phone chat with a high energy member of our Talent Acquisition team to do a quick overview of your background and answer any burning questions you have
• Team interviews are kept to a minimum to foster a more efficient, candidate-friendly process (too many interviewers yields little value and drags out the process for you—and who wants that, right?):
• A short series of in-person or video interviews in a 1:1 setting; these are usually with the hiring manager, one or two other team members, and a person from another team to get broader perspectives (note: we don’t do panel interviews because they don’t give interviewers a chance to ask you unique questions, and we assign interviewers different roles so we’re probing different capabilities)
• A case study or job task to simulate what you’d actually be doing in the role (since your job is not actually to be interviewed for a living, why is that the thing companies rely on so much?) Yes, there will be a small panel for this one so you don’t have to do it more than once, and yes, they might ask you some kind yet probing questions at the end after the raucous applause stops.
• Once your interview concludes, the team will meet for an in-depth consultative process to ensure we are hiring the right person for the right job. Interviewers must come in with a strong yes or no vote beforehand to avoid groupthink with supporting reasons. The collective thoughts on your candidacy will be discussed in an environment of safety to challenge ideas respectfully, debate. and be open to all important qualifications of the candidates. A trained, disinterested bias blocker will be present to help mitigate bias so the team can make a sound hiring decision. The moment of truth arrives when the hiring manager makes the big decision. If you nailed the interviews and the case study was brilliant, guess what? The offer is all yours! And the ball is in your court. Will you accept? We sure hope so because this place is the real deal, and don’t just believe us—just ask the 92% of our people who said this is a great place to work in our most recent employee survey.
  

We strive to create an equitable and inclusive environment to contribute to the success of our organization. Premier Nutrition provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, status as a covered veteran and any other category protected under applicable federal, state, provincial and local laws.