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Research & Development Program Manager
Research & Development Program ManagerKinder's • Walnut Creek, CA, US
Research & Development Program Manager

Research & Development Program Manager

Kinder's • Walnut Creek, CA, US
[job_card.30_days_ago]
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  • [job_card.full_time]
[job_card.job_description]

Job Description

Job Description

BUILT ON FLAVOR. FUELED BY PEOPLE.

What's it like to work at Kinder's? Well, there's a lot of snacking and geeking out over what we all cooked over the weekend. Beyond that, there's also plenty of hard work. Because we don't just like flavor, we're obsessed with it.

With over 100 products sold nationwide, we're now a top-five brand in multiple flavor categories at Costco, Walmart, Whole Foods, and more. We're 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 you're looking for a place where you can see the real impact of your work... this is it! Every day, you'll be part of a journey to add flavor to millions of meals and lives.

How You'll Have Impact at Kinder's : The R&D Program Manager will report to the VP of R&D and will be a key leader in ensuring our innovation engine runs efficiently and effectively. This is a high-impact role responsible for managing the seamless execution of multiple, complex R&D projects from concept to commercialization. You will be the central hub of our product development process, ensuring projects are delivered on time and to our quality standards by managing both internal teams and external development partners.

What You'll Be Doing

Project Organization & Execution Management :

  • Manage a portfolio of diverse R&D projects, with a focus on strategic projects focused on development of our most important new product lines, ensuring clear timelines, milestones, and deliverables.
  • Implement and oversee our project management process to track project progress, identify risks, and ensure alignment with strategic objectives.
  • Work with R&D team to translate complex technical challenges into actionable project tasks and milestones, ensuring clear communication between technical and non-technical stakeholders.
  • Identify and proactively address project risks or delays with proposed mitigation strategies.
  • Escalate roadblocks and collaborate with stakeholders to re-align on priorities and trade-offs.

External Partner Management :

  • Work with R&D team to identify, onboard, and manage third-party development agencies, co-packers, and ingredient suppliers including, where applicable, coordinating assessment of technical and other capabilities required to meet key project requirements.
  • Serve as the primary point of contact for external partners, facilitating clear communication, managing contracts including driving key deliverables, and ensuring attainment of project requirements and quality standards.
  • Collaborate with external resources to ensure seamless integration with internal R&D, Quality, and Operations teams.
  • Documentation & Systems :

  • Maintain high-quality records of project data, test results, learnings, development notes and other key project information.
  • Improve processes and systems to drive visibility and consistency of R&D execution and provide efficient, effective reporting to R&D stakeholders and senior leadership.
  • Coordinate and ensure consistent use of company project management systems (e.g. Wrike) and support the evaluation, selection, and implementation of other tools for improving R&D efficiency and effectiveness.
  • Cross-Functional Collaboration & Coordination :

  • Partner closely with cross-functional leaders (e.g., Marketing, Sales, Operations, Quality, and Finance) to drive project alignment and ensure successful delivery of key programs.
  • Facilitate project team meetings, create and present status reports, and provide clear communication on project risks and opportunities to senior leadership.
  • Act as a champion for the R&D process, fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
  • What You Bring to the Table :

    Skills and Experience :

  • 8-10+ years of experience in R&D and / or product development program or project management, preferably in the CPG, food, beverage, or a similar consumer-oriented industry.
  • Proven experience managing a portfolio of complex technical projects using a robust project / product lifecycle process.
  • Demonstrated experience managing external partners, including codevelopers, and ingredient suppliers.
  • Strong technical acumen with an understanding of food science, formulation, and commercialization processes.
  • Financially literate with the ability to provide input into project budgets and understand the financial implications of development decisions.
  • Bachelor's degree; a degree in a technical field (e.g., Food Science, Engineering) is a strong plus.
  • PMP certification or other project management training a strong plus.
  • Personal Characteristics :

  • Growth mindset with an excitement to learn (and teach).
  • Passionate people-lover excited by the opportunity to build strong relationships with teammates and consumers.
  • 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 expected starting salary range for this role is $120,000- $140,000 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.

    SEASONED FOR SUCCESS :

  • No two days here are the same.
  • We try to be good team members and good communicators, but we don't 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 aren't trying to be average – we want to do exceptional things, and we are willing to work hard to achieve them.
  • BENEFITS THAT BRING MORE TO THE TABLE :

    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. Kinder's benefits vary based on eligibility and can be reviewed in more detail during the interview process.

    OUR RECIPE FOR BALANCE :

    We believe great culture starts with people. We're 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.

    WHERE EVERY INGREDIENT MATTERS :

    Kinder's 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 careers@kinders.com

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