Associate Director, Ingredient Development

The Associate Director of Ingredient Development leads ingredient product development, product evaluation, commercialization, and supplier onboarding for our Meal Kit brands. Your team is a key growth driver for the company that also protects our customers by ensuring that all of our products and suppliers meet consistent standards. We are looking for a data-driven product commercialization expert with deep experience in product innovation, who is interested in leading the discovery and launch of new ingredients. You will be responsible for identifying and implementing best practices in sensory evaluation, specification development, and supplier master data management, while accelerating our speed to market and increasing strategic collaboration with our suppliers.

You’ll work closely with our recipe development and brand teams to drive growth and product innovation and will lead a team with strong culinary and food science expertise. You are a hands-on leader who is experienced with driving change across an organization, with a focus on impact and action.

You will...

• Work closely with culinary and brand teams to develop a new ingredient roadmap that drives menu innovation
• Work closely with the sourcing and product teams to develop a roadmap of new ingredients and suppliers to qualify in support of supplier diversification
• Oversee Product Investment budgets and ensure delivery against cost and timeline objectives (both for new and existing ingredients)
• Lead the end-to-end stage gate process for ingredient commercialization, partnering cross-functionally to manage project timelines, milestones, and risk assessments from concept through launch; incorporate sustainability and responsible sourcing criteria into ingredient evaluation.
• Ensure projects align with regulatory compliance, including labeling, allergen management, and ingredient standards.
• Develop new products jointly with suppliers to accelerate our ingredient roadmap
• Develop and manage supplier sensory scorecards, specifications, and supplier on-boarding requirements, collaborating closely with our culinary, data science, food safety, and quality teams
• Maintain the master data repository for supplier and ingredient data and specifications
• Cultivate a high performing team and be equally comfortable developing and leading culinary and data-focused teams
• Other strategic initiatives, as assigned.

You have...

• Total of 8+ years of experience in food or beverage research and development; product development, and/or continuous improvement experience; people leadership experience is preferred
• An degree in food science or a related field is an asset, but not required
• Knowledge of GMPs, HACCP and food safety compliance, familiarity with FDA/USDA ingredient regulations and labeling requirements
• A successful track record of product innovation and leadership in a cross-functional stage gate process
• Experience managing test kitchen operations and preparing samples and documentation for showings or evaluations
• Strong quantitative and analytical experience (either through education or professional experience), including expertise with G-Suite, Excel and project management systems
• Experience managing and leading a team of direct and indirect reports
• Flexibility to travel (up to 10%)

You’ll get…

• Competitive salary, 401k with company match that vests immediately upon participation
• Generous PTO, including sabbatical, and parental leave of up to 16 weeks
• Comprehensive health and wellness benefits with options at $0 monthly, effective first day of employment
• Tuition reimbursement for continuing education (upon 2 years of service)
• Up to 85% discount on subscriptions to HelloFresh meal plans (HelloFresh, Green Chef, Everyplate, and Factor_)
• Access to Employee Resource Groups that are open to all employees, including those pertaining to BIPOC, women, veterans, parents, and LGBTQ+
• Inclusive, collaborative, and dynamic work environment within a fast-paced, mission-driven company that is disrupting the traditional food supply chain

This job description is intended to provide a general overview of the responsibilities. However, the Company reserves the right to adjust, modify, or reassign work tasks and responsibilities as needed to meet changing business needs, operational requirements, or other factors.