Product Developer - Beverages at Danone North America in Louisville, Kentucky

Job Description:

About the Job:

The Product Developer is responsible for collaborating with Brand Marketing to design winning coffee creamer and ready-to-drink coffee products based on consumer and market understanding. In addition to product and process design, the developer will be tasked with formulation scale-up, in factory, and for conducting follow-ups after launch to ensure continued product success. The role encompasses leading product development programs that span breakthrough innovation, renovation and productivity and involves heavy interaction with internal cross functional teams and external suppliers. Other activities expected of Product Developers are bench and analytical work, pilot plant work, managing formula cost and specifications (ingredients, finished product and process) and leading industrial tests in plants. The candidate must be able to represent R&I interests within the company during all programs and cross-functional interactions.

In this role you will be responsible for:

* Developing formulations and processes to deliver on consumer expectations, within program food safety, costs and timing requirements. Acting as the R&I driver on product attribute definition vs consumer expectations and delivering technical solutions within each program.
* Contributing to innovation pipeline outside chartered program work by engaging with the broader Denver/Boulder coffee community, our suppliers, external partners and internal consumer insights team.
* Designing pilot trials, leading tasting sessions with R&I leadership and key cross-functional partners, and drawing conclusions and recommendations for next steps.
* Identifying, engaging and collaborating with key external suppliers and partners to accelerate product development.
* Participating in consumer test design, organizing sample production and ensuring product quality follow up.
* Organizing and leading industrialization of formulations with Engineering and Supply Chain cross-functional partners.
* Participating as an R&I representative for product launch/start up by preparing all specifications related to product line (except packaging), and ensuring that all documentation needed is available prior to start up.
* Networking with Danone global R&I community to share in best practices.
* Managing projects according to Stage Gate Process methodology.

The base compensation range for this position is $75,000 - $90,000. Danone North America additionally offers a performance-based bonus and has a strong benefits package including Medical, Dental, Vision, Prescription Drug Coverage, 401k Plan, Wellness Program, Life Insurance, Tuition Reimbursement, Flexible Time Off, and Paid Parental Bonding Leave, among other benefit plan options.

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About You:

* You should have a Master's Degree or higher in Food Science or closely related field preferred. Bachelor's degree in Food Science will be considered in combination with more work experience.
* 3+ years experience in food and/or beverage product development or closely related field
* Strong technical skills in relation to product formulation, industrial processes and manufacturing practices, preferred in-depth knowledge on dairy and non-dairy based emulsions
* Flexibility to travel (25%)
* Strong project management/organization and leadership skills
* Excellent verbal and written communication skills
* Ability to work cross-functionally and able to train staff.
* Proficient in product development systems and general computer skills
* Comfortable and passionate about creating, rapid prototyping, development and commercialization of ideas under tight timelines

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About us:

At Danone North America, you'll work with some of the best-known food and beverage brands in the world like Activia, Silk, Horizon Organic, Two Good, Oikos, Evian, and Happy Family. You'll be part of one of the largest Certified B Corps in the world, working together to make sure our brands create real benefits for people, communities, and the planet. We have 6,000+ employees across the U.S. and Canada. Come join our movement for a healthier world: One Planet. One Health BY YOU.

Danone North America doesn't just welcome what makes you unique, we value it. We're proud to be an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. All hires to our team are based on qualifications, merit and business needs. We recruit, employ, train and promote regardless of race, color, religion, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, veteran status, genetic characteristic or any other protected status. Faithful to our values of openness and humanism, all of our employees share in the commitment to engage one another with dignity and respect.

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