R&D Manager, Brand Maintenance & Productivity

ABOUT OLIPOP

At OLIPOP were on a mission to positively impact consumer health at scale. And were doing it through something simple: soda. But not just any soda a new kind of soda: one thats delicious refreshing and actually good for you.

This mission is deeply personal for our CEO Co-Founder and Formulator Ben Goodwin. Like many of us Ben grew up consuming the Standard American Diet: lots of soda and processed foods that prioritized convenience over nutrition. But at 14 he took his health into his own hands. After making significant changes to his nutrition and exercise he lost 50 pounds and saw a transformation in his energy mood and emotional clarity.

Those changes sparked a deep curiosity about the connection between nutrition and health. Ben became a relentless student of the gut microbiome and the ways it supports overall wellness. The more he discovered the more passionate he became about finding credible science-backed ways to make consumer health accessible to everyone.

The mission was clear. The vehicle Less so. After exploring the possibilities Ben landed on an unexpected yet familiar choice: soda. It was something he loved as a kid and he knew millions shared that same nostalgia. But this wouldnt be just any soda. With most Americans falling short on daily fiber Ben set out to create a version with more fiber and less sugar one that was perfectly balanced. The result A deliciously refreshing soda with 6 to 9 grams of fiber and 2 to 5 grams of sugar delivering science-backed benefits without sacrificing the classic taste people crave.

In 2018 the first OLIPOP cans hit the shelves bringing Bens vision to life with a functional soda that anyone could enjoy. And by reimagining soda were also reshaping culture. That means creating products that support health for all and building a business grounded in humanistic values: empathy integrity and a belief in better for everyone. From the ingredients we source to the culture we foster were committed to proving that business (and beverage!) can be a force for good and that soda has the power to bring people together.

So join us and lets write a new American soda story together. One we can all feel good about. One OLIPOP at a time.

THE ROLE

The R&D Manager Brand Maintenance & Productivityis responsible formaintainingthe integrity quality and efficiency of the existing beverage portfolio. This roleleadsformula stewardship cost optimization initiatives and technical execution of brand maintenance projects. The position is a hands-on technical leadership role that managesa team ofR&D Scientists or Technicians while actively contributing to formulation experimentation and plant trial execution. This role works cross-functionally with Procurement Quality Regulatory and Supply Chain teams to ensure the portfolioremainsconsistent scalable and optimized for both sensory performance and operational efficiency.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Brand Maintenance & Formula Stewardship

• In collaboration with Quality and Regulatory departmentsowntechnical stewardship of the existing beverage portfolio ensuring formulasremainconsistent compliant and scalable across manufacturing locations.

• Manage formula and specification updates related to ingredient changes supplier transitions regulatory updates process improvements and ongoing specification refinement based on production learningsensuring all changes are clearly communicated reviewed and aligned with manufacturing partners for accuracy and execution readiness.

• Evaluateand mitigatepotential risks to product qualitysensory or manufacturability when changes are introduced.

Productivity Cost Optimization & Supply Continuity

• Identifyand lead cost savings initiatives across the portfolio including ingredient optimization supplier qualifications and specification improvements.

• Partner with Procurement tovalidatealternative suppliers and ingredients.

• OwningredientandformulaspecificationR&Dtechnical approvals.

• Conduct technical assessments to ensure cost improvements do not negativelyimpactsensory quality product stability or processability.

• Develop technical justification validation plansand implementationstrategiesfor productivity initiatives.
  

Sensory Validation & Technical Problem Solving

• Design and execute sensory evaluation protocols tovalidateformula ingredient and process changes across the existing portfolio.

• In collaboration with Quality investigate product performance issues including sensory deviations shelf-life concerns and process variability.Design and execute experiments toidentifyroot causes and implement corrective actions.

• Interpret sensory analytical and process data to inform technical decisions and risk assessments.

• Document findings conclusions and recommendationsto support cross-functional decision-making and leadership updates.
  

Commercialization & Manufacturing Support

• Lead plant trials related to brand maintenance formula renovations and productivity protocols success criteria and post-trial reporting documentationwith clear technical recommendations.

• Translate bench-scale formulations into scalable manufacturing processes and support troubleshooting during scale-up.

• Serve askey R&D technical contact for manufacturing plants during process formula or specificationupdates.

Team Leadership

• Directly manage a team of R&D Scientists providing guidance on experimental design data interpretation and project prioritization.

• Balance hands-on technical contribution with effective delegation to ensure efficient project execution.

• Support technical skill development in areas such as formulation commercialization sensory evaluation and manufacturing support.
  

QUALIFICATIONS:

• 68 years of product development in the food and beverage industry. Experience with carbonated beveragesstronglypreferred.

• 0-2years of experience managing and developing technical team members.

• Bachelors degree in Food Scienceor a related field.

• Excellent mathematical and analytical skills

• Proven experience supporting commercialization and plant-scale manufacturing.

• Familiarity with regulatory requirements and quality standards in the beverage industry.

• Excellent problem-solving skills and ability to troubleshoot technical issues.

• Strong project management skills and ability to handle multiple projects simultaneously.

• Experience with ingredient supplier qualification and cost optimization.
• Effective communication and teamwork skills.
• 25-40% travel to manufacturing plants suppliers and team offsites
• Close proximityto our lab in Burlingame. Ability to workonsite4 days a week.

REPORTS TO:

Sr. R&D Manager

COMPENSATION:

$110000 - $130000

HOW WE WORK

We may be fully remote but were anything but disconnected. OLIPOP has grown from a few passionate people around a table to a nationwide team and weve done it without losing our collaborative spirit or sense of purpose.

Connection here is intentional. From cross-functional projects and IRL offsites to thoughtful Slack threads and spontaneous gifs we make the effort to stay close even across time zones. Sure we move quickly but we lead with trust transparency and a shared commitment to doing work that matters.

We value thoughtful debate. We give feedback with care and receive it with curiosity knowing that real growth both personal and collective comes from listening as much as leading. Because at OLIPOP its not just about getting things done. Its about growing together staying true to what matters and building something with lasting impact.

WHAT WE VALUE

At OLIPOP our values arent just posters on a wall. They shape how we show up: for each other for our customers and for the mission were chasing together.

• Mission Connectivity: Everything we do ladders up to our shared goal: supporting human health. Whether launching a new flavor or conducting clinical research the mission stays front and center.
• Indomitable Spirit: When things get messy we get inventive. We stay curious adapt quickly and find the path forward most likely with a dedicated Slack thread and a beautifully overbuilt deck.
• Lead at Every Level: Leadership isnt about titles its about ownership. We speak up follow through and lift each other up. If youve got ideas and initiative youve got influence.
• Courageous Humility: Were confident in what we bring and curious about what we dont know (yet). We give feedback with care take it with grace and know that real growth takes both.

WHAT WERE LOOKING FOR

Success at OLIPOP doesnt come from checking boxes; it comes from living our values staying curious and finding energy in both the pace and the purpose. Were building something big and were looking for people who:

• Think big move fast and take thoughtful risks
• Thrive in a high-performance feedback-rich environment
• Value real human connection and honest collaboration
• Are fired up by building something new and making it better every day

Startup life at OLIPOP is equally fun and fast-paced. If youre energized by a dynamic environment eager to grow and excited to help shape something meaningful from the inside out OLIPOP is a one-of-a-kind ride.

We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities or other needs during the application process and employment. To request an accommodation please contact The People Team at

We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. OLIPOP will consider all qualified applicants without regard to race religion gender (including pregnancy and gender identity) national origin political affiliation sexual orientation marital status disability genetic information age veteran status or any other characteristics protected by law.

Submission of Application Materials
Applicants are required to submit only the materials specifically requested as part of the application do not include any unsolicited materials as theywill not be reviewed or considered.

Unsolicited materials may include but are not limited to:

• Marketing or promotional concepts
• Business ideas or strategies
• Photographs videos or other media
• Presentations designs or other creative content

By submitting any materials beyond those explicitly requested you agree that:

1. You are voluntarily providing such materials;
2. You irrevocably assign all rights title and interest in and to those materials to Olipop Inc.; and
3. Olipop Inc. may use reproduce modify distribute or otherwise exploit such materials for any purpose anywhere in the world without restriction or compensation.