Product Innovation Manager

Job Description

Job Description

POSITION SUMMARY:

Own the product development lifecycle for Cold Stone Creamery, leading innovation and product development for the domestic U.S. business while supporting international markets on occasion. This role leads the development of new ice cream flavors, Signature Creations™, cakes, beverages, seasonal limited time offers, and other menu innovations from concept through launch.

Working cross-functionally with Marketing, Operations, Purchasing, suppliers, and manufacturers, this position identifies opportunities through consumer insights, emerging industry trends, and competitive restaurant and menu strategies to deliver innovative products that strengthen the Cold Stone brand. The role also provides technical support to manufacturers and suppliers for new and existing products when needed.

The ideal candidate combines creativity with strong product development expertise and a solid understanding of food science, ingredient functionality, formulation, food safety, and commercialization to enable the successful development of innovative, high-quality products that can be consistently executed across the Cold Stone system.

Equal Opportunity Employer M/F/D/V

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Product Innovation & Development

• Lead development of new ice cream flavors, Signature Creations™, cakes, beverages, seasonal LTOs, and other menu innovations.
• Execute annual innovation and ideation sessions.
• Develop products to meet quality, cost, ease of execution, food safety and guest experience objectives.
• Analyze consumer, franchisee and sensory feedback to identify opportunities to improve existing products, formulations, and ingredients.
• Monitor consumer trends, competitive activity and emerging ingredients.

Commercialization & Supplier Management

• Partner with Purchasing and suppliers to source, evaluate and approve ingredients.
• Maintain product specifications, formulas and technical documentation.
• Evaluate ingredient alternatives to improve quality, cost or supply continuity.

Technical Leadership

• Serve as the food science resource for Kahala Brands.
• Ensure compliance with food safety, labeling, nutrition and regulatory requirements.
• Generate nutritional analyses using ESHA Genesis.
• Respond to technical consumer inquiries as needed.

Collaboration

• Work with other R&D team members to foster collaboration and contribute to innovation across all brands within Kahala Brands.
• Support special projects and company events as needed.

PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES:

• Passionate about food and product innovation
• Naturally curious, creative and consumer-focused
• Collaborative and relationship-oriented
• Resourceful problem solver
• Balances creativity with operational execution
• Self-motivated, organized and adaptable

KNOWLEDGE / SKILLS:

• Bachelor’s degree in food science, dairy science ore related field preferred
• Progressive experience in food product development, preferably within frozen desserts, dairy, QSR, restaurant, or consumer packaged goods

• Experience commercializing products from concept to launch
• Knowledge of FDA labeling and food regulations
• Ability to handle multiple concurrent development projects, prioritizing and sequencing actions/decisions to move projects toward completion
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Strong presentation skills
• Organized, detail-oriented and able to work independently, as well as part of a team
• Enthusiastic, optimistic and service-minded team leader
• Demonstrated desire for continuous learning and improvement
• Ability to travel domestically and internationally on occasion

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Able to stand for prolonged periods during product development
• Ability to lift up to 45 pounds and perform repetitive motions such as scooping, mixing, whisking, decorating and portioning products

Benefits ( Subject to Change ):

• 401(k) matching, including Roth options
• 3 Medical insurance plans
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible spending account
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Short-term disability insurance
• Long-term disability insurance
• Paid time off (10 holidays, 3 weeks PTO)
• Tuition reimbursement
• Referral program
• Wellness programs
• Hybrid work schedule