Senior Manager, Product Development (Dry Applications)

Whats it like to work at Kinders Well theres a lot of snacking and geeking out over what we all cooked over the weekend. Beyond that theres also plenty of hard work. Because we dont just like flavor were obsessed with it.

With over 100 products sold nationwide were now a top-five brand in multiple flavor categories at Costco Walmart Whole Foods and more. Were not your typical CPG company. Privately held and founder-led we like to think of ourselves as a pirate ship in a sea of cruise ships. Our crew is adventurous and fearless. We chart our own course and chase big ideas to make food unforgettable.

As we expand globally and approach $1 billion in revenue we need more smart-and-scrappy flavor-obsessed people to come aboard. If youre looking for a place where you can see the real impact of your work... this is it!Every day youll be part of a journey to add flavor to millions of meals and lives.

The Senior Manager Product Development (Dry Applications) leads the team providing technical support for all product development activities for dry applications projects from exploratory/concept through commercialization. Emphasis on bench-top formulation and scale up for innovation migration and renovation projects including product cuttings plant trials and appropriate documentation.

• Lead coach and develop a team of Food Scientists by setting clear expectations providing regular feedback and supporting each team member in contributing to shared goals and strong team performance.
• Partner with team members to establish goals and development plans conduct regular one-on-one meetings and performance reviews and support growth in technical and leadership capability. Encourage a culture of collaboration curiosity ownership knowledge sharing and continuous improvement.
• Guide end-to-end dry applications development from concept through commercialization thoughtfully setting priorities and allocating resources across innovation renovation cross qualification (migration) cost optimization and quality initiatives based on business needs complexity and capacity.
• Keep work aligned with brand priorities timelines cost objectives and cross-functional feedback. Draw on vendor and co-packer capabilities emerging ingredients technologies and process improvements to broaden formulation possibilities and support efficient progress to market.
• Provide technical guidance for formulation testing pilot and plant trials scale-up and initial production. Collaborate with the team on project plans and documentation confirm specifications help troubleshoot issues and support robust manufacturing transfer quality and consistency.
• Partner with Quality Assurance and Regulatory to support compliance with ingredient labeling and nutritional requirements. Guide the design and execution of shelf-life stability testing for new products.
• Partner with Operations Marketing Culinary Supply Chain and others to translate insights into scalable commercially viable products. Bring the teams perspective to prioritization discussions help address barriers and elevate resource timeline or technical risks when appropriate.
• Coordinate concurrent individual and team projects with clear milestones ownership and communication. Keep leadership informed through timely updates and documentation and work with team members to address performance or execution challenges constructively and support follow-through.

• Bachelors degree in Food Science Chemical Engineering or related field (Masters preferred).
• 10 years of experience in food product development with at least 3 years in a people or project leadership role.
• Proven success in CPG innovation; sauces seasonings or condiments experience preferred.
• 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.
• Results-oriented hands-on leader; curious resourceful and solution-oriented with strong attention to detail; passionate about great food and consumer-driven innovation.

• Growth mindset with an excitement to learn (and teach).
• Passionate people-lover excited by the opportunity to build strong relationships with teammates consumers and production partners.
• Low ego with a strong sense of humility.
• Thrive in a dynamic lean and agile environment.
• Collaborative mindset with an ability to find creative solutions.
• Self-starter who takes initiative and is willing to speak their mind.
• Excited to be part of a fast-moving team with the ability to be a leader and a follower where required.
• Enjoy making decisions and finding ways to say yes as often as possible to impactful and important priorities.

The position will be based onsite in Walnut Creek CA. The expected starting salary range for this role is $160000-$180000 per year. We may ultimately pay more or less than the posted range based on the location of the role. The amount a particular employee will earn within the salary range will be based on factors such as relevant education qualifications performance and business needs.

• No two days here are the same.
• We try to be good team members and good communicators but we dont live by hierarchy and structure everyone is a difference maker here.
• We make a lot of decisions in the face of incomplete information our team embraces ambiguity and tries to make good decisions fast rather than great decisions slow.
• We believe our job is to take smart risk not to eliminate risk.
• We believe in growing our skills and becoming a better company with more managerial expertise but we are an entrepreneurial company at heart.
• We arent trying to be average we want to do exceptional things and we are willing to work hard to achieve them.

We offer a range of total rewards that may include paid time off 401k bonus / incentive eligibility equity grants competitive health benefits and other family-friendly benefits including parental leave. Kinders benefits vary based on eligibility and can be reviewed in more detail during the interview process.

We believe great culture starts with people. Were a people-first company built on connection collaboration and balance. Most of our work happens in the office to spark creativity and community but we also offer flexibility so team members have the autonomy to work outside the office when needed to support their work-life balance and personal commitments.

Kinders is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race color ancestry national origin gender citizenship marital status religion age disability gender identity results of genetic testing veteran status as well as any other legally-protected characteristic. If you have a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act or similar law and you need any accommodation during the application process or to perform these job requirements please reach out to us at