Kinder's Premium Quality Seasonings & Sauces · 13 hours ago
Research And Development Senior Manager
Walnut Creek, CA
Full-time
Hybrid
Senior Level, Lead/Staff
$150K/yr - $165K/yr
10+ years expKinder's Premium Quality Seasonings & Sauces is a top-five brand in multiple flavor categories, known for its adventurous and innovative approach to food. The Senior Manager, Research & Development will lead the development of new and improved products, ensuring they meet high standards for taste and quality while driving innovation and cross-functional collaboration.
Food and BeverageFood ProcessingManufacturingRestaurants
Responsibilities
Manage the end-to-end product development process — from concept ideation to launch — ensuring alignment with brand priorities, timelines, and cost objectives
Identify and execute opportunities for innovation, renovation, and cost optimization across Kinder’s portfolio, leveraging emerging ingredients, technologies, and process improvements
Partner closely with Operations, Marketing, Culinary, and Supply Chain to translate consumer insights into technically feasible, scalable, and commercially viable products
Lead formulation work, pilot plant trials, and production scale-ups to ensure robust transfer from bench to manufacturing
Troubleshoot issues and optimize for quality and consistency
Manage multiple projects concurrently, ensuring milestones, deliverables, and communication are clear and on track
Maintain visibility to leadership through status updates and documentation
Collaborate with Quality Assurance and Regulatory teams to ensure product compliance with ingredient standards, labeling requirements, and nutritional accuracy
Mentor and develop junior food scientists and technicians, fostering a culture of collaboration, curiosity, and accountability within the R&D team
Qualification
Required
Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Chemical Engineering, or related field
10+ years of experience in food product development, with at least 3+ years in a people or project leadership role
Strong technical knowledge of formulation, ingredient functionality, sensory evaluation, and scale-up
Excellent project management and organizational skills with the ability to manage competing priorities
Effective communicator and collaborator across multiple functions and levels
Passion for great food and consumer-driven innovation
MUST BE ABLE TO TRAVEL UP TO 25%
Results-oriented, hands-on leader who thrives in a dynamic, fast-paced environment
Collaborative and influential communicator who builds trust across teams
Curious, resourceful, and solution-oriented with strong attention to detail
Committed to quality, integrity, and continuous improvement
Preferred
Master's degree in Food Science, Chemical Engineering, or related field
Proven success in CPG innovation; sauces, seasonings, or condiments experience
Benefits
Paid time off
401k
Bonus / incentive eligibility
Equity grants
Competitive health benefits
Other family-friendly benefits
Parental leave
Company
Kinder's Premium Quality Seasonings & Sauces
Kinder's Premium Quality Seasonings & Sauces produces sauces, seasoning, rub, and marinates.
51-200 employees
Funding
Current Stage
Growth StageLeadership Team
Jim H.
Co-CEO & Chief Brand Officer, Director
Joe Rainero
CEO
Company data provided by crunchbase