Product Developer

Joining King's Hawaiian

King's Hawaiian makes you part of our `ohana (family). We are a family-owned business for over seventy years, respecting our roots while thinking about our future as we continue to grow and care for our customers and the communities we serve. Our `ohana members build an environment of inclusivity as they freely collaborate, pursue learning through curiosity, and explore innovation as critical thinkers. Beyond that, we are also passionate about supporting the long-term health and well-being of our employees and their families. If you're excited to rise with our team, come and join our `ohana!

Senior Product Developer

Working under the general supervision of Manager, Product Development, The Senior Product Developer is an idealist, researcher, designer, and builder. This role creates new products, and ideates, develops, tests, and collaborates with others to introduce new, irresistible products for King's consumers to love and share. The Senior Product Developer will be a part of a multi-disciplinary Innovation & Commercialization team with a start-up type culture. The role will team up with experienced chefs creating new products and recipes for commercialization, and work with Process and Packaging Engineers, Marketing Insights, and Production to produce these new products. Employees in this position may interact with their leader several times a week to receive guidance and feedback. Some non-routine activities may require a supervisor's advance approval, but routine decisions within the general scope of the role may be made independently.

Essential Job Duties and Responsibilities

• Participate in the identification, design, development, creation, and testing of product prototypes.
• Collaborate with chefs and third parties to create recipes with the ability to scale up for both limited introductions as well as national product launches.
• Develop rapid prototypes to explore with consumers in real purchase and consumption environments.
• Develop specifications for all raw materials, process controls, and finished goods.
• Manage scale up trials of products and work closely with Production leaders to train on process.
• Work closely with King's ingredient and packaging suppliers on the technical characteristics of King's materials and troubleshoot ingredient performance.
• Test and ensure food concepts are shelf stable and food safe. Work with 3rd party labs to test and analyze products.
• Develop and maintain FDA and USDA food product labeling that complies with regulatory requirements and/or customer requirements. Produce product specification sheets.
• Manage numerous projects simultaneously.
• Creatively solve technical problems in a rapid, efficient manner.
• Assist in pipeline prioritization and technical assessment of future innovation projects & ideas.
• Collaborate with Concept Developer Chefs, Marketing, Innovation Insights, R&D Process Engineers, Operations, Procurement, and Packaging Engineers in the Innovation product development process.
• Deliver accurate product trial details and collaborate with the Innovation Project Lead to guarantee accurate and on-time set up of factory trials.
• Ensure accurate and timely reporting of product development activities to key stakeholders.
• Collaborate and team up with third party manufacturing facilities to scale up and test products for commercialization.
• Perform other duties as required or assigned which are reasonably within the scope of this role.

Basic Qualification (Education and/or Experience)

• Bachelor's degree in food science, Food Technology, or a closely related field from an accredited 4-year college. Higher education (e.g., Master of Science or PhD) in Food Science, Food Technology or a closely related field is preferred.
• 5+ years of progressively responsible experience in R&D and new product development.
• Extensive knowledge and experience in baking and cereal sciences (5+ years).

Physical Requirements

• Ability to lift 50 lbs.
• Ability to stand 2-3 hours.

Additional Qualification (Job Skills, Abilities, Knowledge)

• Expert understanding of the process and methods for developing and commercializing shelf-stable foods.
• Expert knowledge and understanding of baking and cereal science.
• Expert understanding of physical properties and chemical composition of food and ingredients.
• Expert understanding of extensive areas of food science and technology and experimental procedures.
• Proficient ability to work with culinary or corporate chefs.
• Working understanding of different methods of packaging (retort, aseptic, UHT, Hot/Cold Pasteurization, MAP).
• Working understanding of project management – plan, coordinate, communicate progress and challenges, execute project activities.
• Proficient ability to work with third party manufacturers (co-manufacturers, co-packers) in developing products.
• Expert ability to multi-task and contribute to many projects at the same time.
• Ability to seek and be open to new experiences with different food from other cultures and enjoy foods in a different way. Does not settle with mediocre products.
• Ability to consistently demonstrate King's values of excellence, dignity, saying it like it is in a way it can be heard; and curiosity, collaboration, critical thinking and emotional intelligence.
• Ability to travel up to 10%.

This is an on-site role AT LEAST 4 days a week.

The compensation range is $110,000 to $130,000 plus a potential bonus. The final offer will ultimately depend on several factors.

King's Hawaiian is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for our ohana.