Yerba Madre · 12 hours ago
Associate Product Developer
Oakland, CA
Full-time
Hybrid
Entry, Mid Level
$65K/yr - $81K/yr
2+ years expYerba Madre is a pioneer of regenerative yerba mate and the category leader in ready-to-drink mate beverages. The Associate Product Developer supports beverage innovation and product development activities within the R&D team, contributing to benchtop prototypes, testing, and scale-up while collaborating cross-functionally to ensure successful product launches.
E-CommerceFood and BeverageHerbs and SpicesTea
Responsibilities
Support new product development through benchtop formulation, prototype preparation, sensory evaluation, data analysis, and documentation for regulatory, nutritional, and certification compliance
Assist with flavor development and approaches to formulation
In partnership with Product Developers &/or Manager, lead 2-3 R&D projects per product cycle from concept through commercialization
Collaborate with Brand partners to assess feasibility and define technical strategy
Contribute to early-stage concepting, technical research, feasibility assessments, and pilot trials to ensure successful scale-up and product launch
Participate in pilot, line trials, and first production runs to evaluate product quality, process consistency, and adherence to specifications
Manage R&D ingredient inventory and ensure all benchtop evaluations follow Good Laboratory Practices in partnership with the R&D Technician
Collaborate cross-functionally and contribute to technical trend tracking and documentation
Represent R&D in cross-functional meetings and supplier discussions to advance project objectives and share technical insights
Design and perform sensory, analytical, and performance testing to guide formulation optimization and ensure product quality
Recommend and help implement process improvements to enhance the efficiency and rigor of the NPD workflow
Collaborate with Quality Assurance to maintain lab equipment, calibration schedules, and adherence to food safety and laboratory procedures
Document and report testing results with clarity and accuracy; escalate technical or quality concerns as appropriate
Support product training initiatives for Sales and Customer Service by communicating product attributes, technical features, and benefits
Maintain laboratory organization and support administrative functions including data entry, documentation flow, and coordination of sample shipments and storage
Contribute to the upkeep of Yerba Madre’s Food Safety and Quality Systems by assisting with document control and compliance reviews
Perform other duties as assigned to support R&D and cross-functional business needs
Qualification
Required
Bachelor's degree in Biochemistry, Chemistry, Food Science, or a related field/equivalent experience
2-5 years of experience in beverage product development, food science, restaurant, or laboratory environments; laboratory experience required
Working knowledge of formulation principles, ingredient functionality, and processing impacts
Strong organizational and time management skills, with the ability to balance multiple priorities in a dynamic environment
Clear and professional written and verbal communication skills suited to cross-functional corporate collaboration
Applies scientific curiosity and critical thinking to understand and improve beverage systems
Demonstrates sound problem-solving and adaptability in situations with limited standardization
Learns quickly, executes with precision, and maintains a high level of attention to detail and accuracy
Translates direction into action with a practical, proactive, and resourceful approach
Brings initiative, ownership, and a collaborative mindset to daily R&D work
Comfortable conducting trials, analyzing data, and communicating results clearly and confidently
Proficient in Excel; basic sensory evaluation knowledge required
Preferred
Administrative and project coordination experience preferred
Benefits
Top-tier benefits
Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans
Employee life and disability
Mental health benefits
Paid medical leave
Paid company holidays
Paid time off
Opportunities for career growth and advancement within our team
Company
Yerba Madre
Yerba Madre offers yerba mate and herbal tea blends, plus brewing accessories, with online ordering and product guidance.
201-500 employees
Funding
Current Stage
Growth StageRecent News
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