Sr Director, Product Development

fairlife, LLC is a Chicago-based nutrition company that creates great-tasting, nutrition-rich and dairy products to nourish consumers.

With over $3B in annual retail sales, fairlife's portfolio of delicious, lactose-free, real dairy products includes: fairlife ultra-filtered milk ; Core Power High Protein Shakes, a sports nutrition drink to support post-workout recovery; fairlife nutrition plan , a nutrition shake to support the journey to better health.

A wholly owned subsidiary of The Coca-Cola company, fairlife, LLC has been recognized by both Fast Company and Nielsen for its industry leading innovation.

To learn more about fairlife and its complete line of products, please visit fairlife.com.

job purpose: The Senior Director of Product Development will lead the end-to-end innovation, formulation, and commercialization of high protein, milk-based beverages. This role is responsible for translating consumer insights, nutritional science, and business strategy into scalable, differentiated products that win in the marketplace. The position provides strategic and technical leadership across R&D, product design, process development, and cross functional execution. This leader will serve as the technical authority for dairy based protein beverages, ensuring products meet targets for nutrition, sensory performance, quality, regulatory compliance, and cost, while accelerating speed to market.

responsibilities:

Product & Innovation Leadership

• Own the product development strategy for high protein milk-based beverages, aligned with portfolio, growth, and brand objectives.
• Lead the creation of differentiated formulations and drive innovative pipelines from concept through launch, including renovation, line extensions, and breakthrough platforms.
• Apply consumer insights, sensory science, and nutrition trends to guide product design.

Technical & Scientific Excellence

• Serve as subject-matter expert in dairy chemistry, protein functionality, stabilization, and shelf-life optimization.
• Lead formulation development addressing challenges such as viscosity, sedimentation, flavor masking, heat stability, and protein solubility.
• Oversee bench-top, pilot, and commercial scale-up activities, ensuring technical feasibility and manufacturing robustness.
• Ensure compliance with food safety, regulatory, and labeling requirements (FDA, USDA, global as applicable).

Cross-Functional Leadership

• Partner closely with Marketing, Operations, Quality, Procurement, Regulatory, and Supply Chain to ensure seamless commercialization.
• Provide technical guidance during capital projects, co-manufacturing selection, and process optimization.
• Influence senior leadership through data-driven recommendations, risk assessments, and scenario planning.

Team & Capability Building

• Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing product development and R&D team.
• Establish best-in-class development processes, stage-gate governance, and technical standards.
• Foster a culture of innovation, scientific rigor, and continuous improvement.

Business & Portfolio Impact

• Manage development budgets, timelines, and resource allocation.
• Balance innovation ambition with cost targets, margin goals, and operational constraints.
• Support IP strategy, supplier partnerships, and external collaborations.

skills/qualifications required:

• Advanced degree (MS or PhD preferred) in Food Science, Dairy Science, Chemical Engineering, Nutrition, or related field.
• 12+ years of progressive experience in product development within dairy, beverages, or nutrition focused CPG.
• Proven leadership in high protein or functional beverage development (RTD, UHT, ESL, refrigerated).
• Demonstrated success taking products from concept to commercial launch at scale.
• Experience working with cross-functional and global teams.
• Understanding and knowledge of Dairy protein systems (whey, casein, milk protein concentrates/isolates), UHT / HTST processing and aseptic technologies, emulsion and stabilization systems, sensory optimization and flavor systems, shelf-life testing and quality validation, and regulatory and nutrition labeling considerations

how fairlife nourishes you:

At fairlife, we believe in better - and that includes how we support our people. We offer a comprehensive suite of benefits and well-being resources designed to support you physically, emotionally, socially, and financially, both in and out of work.

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, effective day one!
• Supplemental health plans (hospital indemnity, accident, and critical illness insurance)
• Paid Time Off to recharge and support work-life balance
• Paid parental leave & adoption assistance (up to $10,000)
• Parental support & family care benefits, including childcare resources and lactation support
• 401(k) to support retirement planning with up to 9% in employer match
• Wellness reimbursement (up to $500 for qualified wellbeing expenses)
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for emotional wellbeing and work-life support
• Company-paid life insurance and short-term disability
• Employer HSA funding (for HDHP participants)
• Tuition reimbursement (up to $10,000) and student loan repayment ($200/month)
• Learning & development programs to unlock your full potential
• Rewards & recognition, matching gifts, free product, and Business Resource Groups

fairlife's nourish program is designed to meet you where you are - supporting your individual wellbeing journey while enabling you to do your best work every day.

position location: Chicago Illinois

travel requirements : 40%

exempt/nonexempt: Exempt

*Base pay offered may vary depending on geography, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. A full range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits, dependent on the position, is offered.

fairlife, LLC is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. All qualified applicants and employees will be given equal opportunity. Selection decisions are based on job-related factors.

In addition to its nondiscrimination commitment, the Company will also provide reasonable accommodation of qualified individuals with known disabilities unless doing so would impose an undue hardship on the Company. If you have a disability and would like to request accommodation in order to apply for a position with us, please email View email address on click.appcast.io .

For Recruitment Agencies

As our recruitment is primarily handled in-house, we work only occasionally with external agencies, and only those on our existing, pre-approved vendor list. At this time, we are not reviewing or expanding that list.

Unsolicited resumes or submissions from external agencies not authorized by our Talent Acquisition team will be considered direct candidate applications. As such, fairlife will not assume responsibility for any placement fees associated with these submissions.

Required

Preferred

Job Industries

• Other