Premier Nutrition: The Good Energy People · 1 day ago
Associate Director, R&I
Emeryville, CA
Full-time
Onsite
Senior Level, Lead/Staff, Director/Executive
$185K/yr - $195K/yr
7+ years expPremier Nutrition Company (PNC) is a leading firm in the proactive wellness space, focusing on protein shakes and powders. The Associate Director of R&I will lead a team in product development projects, ensuring alignment within the organization and driving innovation in research and development.
BiotechnologyDeveloper ToolsFood and BeverageHealth CareManufacturingMedicalNutrition
Responsibilities
Driving projects successfully to completion through leadership on setting project expectations, aligning on project plans and timelines, performing risk assessments, and developing risk mitigation and contingency plans, identifying proper workload balance, and ensuring ability to pivot as needed
Responsible for growth and development for direct reports through thoughtful conversations, coaching in the moment and building and overseeing development and/or stretch plans for each direct report. Balancing the WHAT (technical) with the HOW (good energy and radical candor approach)
Ensure PNC values are embraced in daily activities along with opportunities to connect in the work, learn and collaborate. Build strong network and connections at various levels in organization with cross-functional partners
Key leader in R&I, active contributor in R&I Leadership Team
Initiates, develops and/or oversees workstreams for assigned Product Development projects (innovation, renovation, technical services)
Responsible for project execution against internal and external standards and deliverables through collaboration with brand, project management, sourcing and other parties
Enlist appropriate resources (internal or external) for prototyping, robust DoE for Product Development, technical feasibility assessments, testing/validation plans and timely troubleshooting
Identifies, communicates, and ensures alignment on risk management and contingency plans
Captures learnings and shares knowledge through effective communication e.g. reports, SOPs, training material
Build PNC PD expertise and excellence to support current activities and building the future in these areas: Product Development processes (prototyping, robustness testing, shelf life validation,…)
Robust network of external experts and key vendors as strategic partners for PNC R&I team
Identification of improvement opportunities, constraints, hurdles, or gaps and acting upon them and/or providing recommendations to leadership
Driving thought leadership and staying on top of relevant trends through individual research, seminars and maintaining a network of professional, business, and industrial contacts
Attending meetings and presentations
Participating in company-wide activities and events galore
Impromptu conversations with colleagues
Administrivia like email, calendaring, expense reports, and other non-value-added work
Qualification
Required
Ability to explain complex technical subject matters to non-technical team
Ability to apply technical know-out to real world problems
Managing ambiguity and ability to quickly pivot, drive progress amid uncertainty, guide and bring along and align with team members across the team and organization
Strong collaborative skills and ability to work well in teams
Possess curiosity, creativity, and alternative thinking to develop better or new solutions
BS degree in Food Science, Food Engineering, Chemical Engineering or similar field required
7 + years in Food industry, which includes substantial experience in R&D, Manufacturing/Scale-up/Commercialization, R&I IT tools and workflows, Project Management, and formal R&D leadership role
3 + yrs experience in UHT protein RTD
Communicate technical details to business to drive decision making
Execute projects within timelines by providing solutions to problems and managing risk
Demonstrated ability to work effective in team environment through excellent interpersonal, influencing and communication skills (both written and verbal)
Ability to excel in dynamic fast paced business environment, demonstrated ability to self-motivate and manage multiple priorities
Travel- 20%
Preferred
Demonstrated experience in DoE and statistical analysis
Benefits
Year-round ½ day Fridays
In-office massages
Free lunches & snacks
Dogs in the office
Culture of belonging celebrations
Engaging in-office events like bring your kids to work day
6% 401k match after 1 year
Generous paid family leave regardless of gender
All positions bonus-eligible
Company-wide volunteer days
Company-matched charitable donations
No employee handbook
No dress code
Coaching conversations instead of performance reviews
Walking meetings
Company
Premier Nutrition: The Good Energy People
Premier Nutrition Company (PNC) is one of the fastest-growing companies in the proactive wellness space showing clear leadership in the category of protein shakes and powders.
201-500 employees
Funding
Current Stage
Growth StageTotal Funding
unknown2013-08-02Acquired
Leadership Team
Alissa Dyer, PHR
People Business Partner (HRBP)
Nico Gallegos
Senior Manager, HR Business Partner
Recent News
Food Business News
2026-01-13
Food Business News
2024-12-05
Company data provided by crunchbase