Senior Research & Development Manager

Job Responsibilities

• Lead the development of new recipes that can be effectively commercialized while ensuring they are of intended quality and cost.
• Continually monitor existing recipes for flavor, texture, and appearance, and propose recipe changes based on product performance.
• Create flavor concepts and formulas for Limited Time Offer (LTO) flavors (new store openings, collaborations, seasonal pints, events, etc).
• Manage and maintain all of Van Leeuwen’s formulations.
• Build out costing models for all recipe development to confirm product P&L’s.
• Research flavor trends and innovations based on the ice cream industry, restaurant menus, internet trends, new ingredient innovation, and seasonal products.
• Gather all necessary documents for internal ingredient and supplier approval.
• Work with material suppliers on meeting our ingredient guardrails with existing or custom products.
• Continually evaluate ingredients and suppliers based on costs, availability, or improving quality of our final product.
• Receive, log, test, and approve samples of new or substitution ingredients before ordering for full scale production.
• Participate in QA tastings to review amounts of inclusions and formula changes, and address production procedures and/or issues.
• Co-Manufacturer Management Support launches with co-manufacturers to maximize quality, productivity, and revenue.
• Collaborate with QA/Food Safety and co-manufacturers to correct production related issues.
• Work closely with the Supply Chain team to improve strategic decision-making and maximize production efficiencies.
• Verify and cross-reference copacker BOMs to ensure products will meet intended standards.
• Support in-person trials and first productions (up to 30% travel).

Marketing/Wholesale & Retail

• Write flavor descriptors for all new products including monthly specials, new toppings, or updated ingredients.
• Work directly with collaborating brands and marketing team to create flavors, send samples, and get final BOMs approved and ingredients ordered for new flavors.
• Work closely with Sales & Marketing to find portfolio gaps to create new CPG skus.
• Ship samples of VL products to wholesale buyers and collaborating teams (often creating custom small batch samples).
• Generate ingredients, allergen statements, and nutritional panels for CPG products. Proof and approve final artwork for packaging alongside marketing and FSQ.

Job Requirements

• 4 to 6 years of experience in an R&D or commercialization role.
• Food Science or Engineering background required.
• Dairy/Ice Cream Development Experience preferred.
• Experience in Food Manufacturing ideal.
• Proficiency in TraceGains, Google, and Microsoft product suites a plus.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills across external and cross-functional partners.
• Innovative spirit and creativity.
• Must be comfortable working in-store scoop shifts once a quarter, while adhering to DOH guidelines.

Compensation + Benefits

• $105,000 - 140,000m annual compensation depending on experience, paid weekly.
• Eligible for annual 10% bonus.
• Employee Scoop Card (Enjoy Ice Cream from any of our scoop shops nationwide).
• Medical, Dental + Vision Insurance with 70% Employer Contribution.
• 401k with up to 4% Employer Match.
• Cell Phone Reimbursement Plan.
• Wellness Reimbursement Plan.
• Flexible Time Off - No accrual required.
• Paid Sick Time.
• Paid one month sabbatical (eligible after 4 years of continued employment).
• Yearly Performance Reviews.