Product Development Technologist I

Who You Are:

You are comfortable working in a fast-paced environment and getting your hands in the kitchen with benchtop development. You have an out-of-this-world appreciation and understanding of good taste and are creative in transforming clean and unique ingredients into tasty, nutritional alchemies. You know how to think outside of the box and are a true go-getter. You understand the scientific underpinnings of the flavor combinations you bring to life. You have a go-getter attitude to find ways to develop the best-tasting, innovative, nutritious, and accessible products on the market while making a positive impact on both the top and bottom lines of the business. You are passionate about pushing forward systemic improvements in childhood nutrition for a healthier, happier, more equitable world.

The Task At Hand:

This role reports to the Senior Director of R&D and is responsible for supporting Product Development activities that include formulation of new products, benchtop work, ingredients assessments, competitive sample benchmarking, and sensory evaluation implementation and testing. The Product Development Technologist will also work on commercialization and plant trials with co-manufacturers, sample preparation of prototypes, physical analysis, developing and maintaining product specifications, tastings, and data entry for tracking, reporting, and documentation.

In This Role, You Will:

• Supports Product Development Team, with formulation development and optimization, product kitchen trials, production trials, sample evaluation, and assistance when and where needed

• Prepare benchtop prototypes when needed and assist in analyzing using a variety of methods available in the R&D test kitchen

• Prepare product specifications, set up formulas, and write technical reports and test run plans

• Assist in creating circulating document change control forms for recipes and finished products

• Assist in consumer sensory testing for pre- and post-launch products

• Work with Supply Chain to solve sensory issues that arise from consumer complaints, internal tastings, etc. Submit recommendations for approval

• Support sensory tasting events, including the analytical and physical evaluation and sample preparation. Build test protocols, recruit internal tasters, execute tastings, and document results accurately and in a timely manner

• Register all benchtop samples into a database with appropriate analytics including Ph, Brix, Viscosity, and other product parameters

• Ensure kitchen supplies, ingredients, and raw materials are on hand and within the specified shelf life for use

• Assist in procuring all raw materials for kitchen trials and packaging and maintaining inventory

• Calibrate and maintain kitchen equipment such as Ph meters, thermometers, and scales

• Maintain a professional and clean working environment for benchtop: Clean and organize, keeping physical samples, files, and record data appropriately

• Support coordination of buying/receipt and review of samples from competitors for testing and evaluation

• Follow all human and food safety policies when performing your job including bench work, sample preparation, and plant trials

• Support the Product Development Team during co-manufacturer plant trials for commercialization of new manufacturers, and products to implement formula changes/improvements

• Coordinate sample shipments for benchtop

• Develop product nutrition and ingredient information for product labels. Assist in creating and maintaining NFPs for all new products including upkeep of database for new ingredients

• Verify NFPs in packing review cycles

• Work with Quality to verify the accuracy of product label ingredient declarations and nutrition facts panels prior to printing for preprinted labeling

• Maintain documentation for nutritional labeling, ingredient labeling, regulatory and claim substantiation including Organic, Non-GMO, Kosher, and Clean Label

In This Role, You’ll Bring With You:

• Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, microbiological, chemistry, or another related field required

• Prior professional experience in sensory activities preferred

• Flavor Studio experience preferred

• Good organizational and time management skills

• Fine attention to detail

• Able to work both independently and in a collaborative group setting

• Able to be a team player, be punctual, and follow instructions

• Able to keep work area clean and organized

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills

• Superior organizational skills

• Able to think quickly and independently, conversationally agile

• Prior professional experience gathering, processing, interpreting, and telling a story with data

• Solid knowledge of Microsoft Suite, Outlook, Slack, and other professional platforms

• Genuinely passionate about improving childhood nutrition for a healthier and happier planet

• Desire to contribute to a dynamic high-growth, purpose-driven environment

• Demonstrated ability to thrive in ambiguity, deeply understand business needs, develop a cohesive strategy, and make decisions requiring a high level of judgment

• Previous exposure to cross-functional work between Sustainability and Product Development preferred

• Up to 25% travel required: Although this role is a remote work-from-home position, we “Farmers” do meet as a company and/or as a department a few times a year. Anticipate possible travel up to a few times each quarter

• Must reside in the United States to be considered for this position

• Please note that visa sponsorship is not available for this position

Compensation:

• Full Time, Salaried, Exempt

• The anticipated salary range for this position is $60,000-$75,000. The actual salary offer will carefully consider a few factors, including your skills, qualifications, experience, and location. Certain positions are eligible for additional forms of compensation such as bonuses, stipends, equity, and role-specific perks.

Additional:

• Remote-first work environment

• Annual Bonus

• 401(k) program + 4% company match after three months

• New Hire Remote Life Stipend + annual Nourish and Nurture Allowance

• Monthly Cell and Internet Stipend

• Quarterly Farm-to-Fridge home deliveries and Employee Discounts

• New Parents: Up to 18 weeks of paid Parental Leave, Baby Steps Back To Work, 3 months’ supply of Once Upon A Farm products, and breast milk shipping service and support for those who travel after birth for the duration of your breastfeeding journey

• Unlimited Paid Time Off

• Paid Volunteer Time

• Paid Time Off to fulfill civic responsibilities including jury duty and voting in local, state, and national elections

• Medical Insurance for the employee covered at 100% on select plans with additional plan options at a reduced cost to the employee

• Vision and Dental Insurance covered at 100% for the employee and dependents

• Life insurance

• Flexible spending account (Medical & Dependent Care) and Health savings accounts for applicable plans

• Employee assistance program (EAP)

• All other benefits, leaves, and insurance as required by law, based on your specific residence

• And so much more!

Who We Are

Our Purpose: Drive systemic improvement in childhood nutrition for a healthier, happier, and more equitable world.

Our Business: At Once Upon a Farm, a better story starts here. We're on a greater mission in providing organic, crave-worthy, snacks and meals for children of all ages. Our recipes are crafted with only the best organic ingredients – whole fruits and veggies, cold-pressed (our pouches), or freshly frozen (our meals) to perfection– to support your growing kids at every stage. Each of our organic, non-GMO, non-dairy recipes contains no added sugar and are free from artificial flavors, colors, and preservatives – just simple, real, nutritious snacks your entire family will love.

We support and champion farmers who supply the highest-quality organic ingredients for our foods. We help parents keep their promise to provide the best nourishment for their children’s bodies and souls. We treat our consumers, customers, suppliers, investors, and all our valued employees with the same high level of dignity and respect that we expect from others. We will always fight for and support efforts to drive positive social change and food justice for the benefit of parents, kids, and families. Lastly, we foster an entrepreneurial and collaborative culture that values humility, honesty, passion, positive social impact, and fun.

Our Team: We’re all fully remote, which makes us a highly collaborative, dynamic, and supportive bunch. We share a singular mission to make the world a better place through the highest quality, most delicious, nourishing, and nutritious products made accessible to every home, from our farms to your fridge. And while we’re invested in our product, we’re equally invested in one another's success.

Once Upon A Farm is a purpose-driven brand made up of an inclusive group of individuals with diverse backgrounds, passions, and beliefs. We hire self-motivated, independent thinkers, and those who are genuinely passionate about improving childhood nutrition for a healthier and happier planet. Bring your whole self to your work at Once Upon A Farm, a proud equal-opportunity employer. In your application, please feel free to note which pronouns you use.

In an effort to help us remove unconscious bias from our resume review process, we ask that you please remove all identifying information from your resume (like profile photos) before you upload it. Once Upon A Farm is committed to cultivating an inclusive environment where a diverse group of people can and want to do their best work, and that starts with our hiring practices.

Once Upon a Farm, PBC, provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants in all company facilities without regard to race, color, religious creed, sex, national origin, ancestry, cast, citizenship status, pregnancy, childbirth, physical disability, mental and/or intellectual disability, age, military status or status as a Vietnam-era or special disabled veteran, marital status, registered domestic partner or civil union status, gender (including sex stereotyping and gender identity or expression), medical condition (including, but not limited to, cancer-related or HIV/AIDS-related), genetic information, or sexual orientation in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including, but not limited to, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

You must reside in the United States to be considered for this position.