Product Developer

Talking Rain • Preston, WA

16h • Onsite

About The Position

Talking Rain Beverage Company is seeking a Product Developer to drive beverage product development and innovation within its Research & Development team. The role leads projects from initial ideas through commercialization and product reassessment, using technical formulation knowledge, food and beverage experience, and collaboration to create and test products. The position is based onsite at the company’s Preston, Washington office five days per week and reports to the Manager, Research & Development. It has no direct reports. The role offers an annual bonus potential of 7%, subject to the company meeting annual financial targets, and a stated salary range of $105,000–$130,000. New hires typically receive between the minimum and midpoint, with possible variation based on experience, internal equity, and market.

The Product Developer works with Marketing, Insights, Operations, Procurement, Quality, Engineering, suppliers, and co-packers. Responsibilities span prototype development, formulation and processing, design and execution of validation trials, specification and cost development, analysis and communication of results, and identification of opportunities to improve products and production. The role also supports food safety, quality, and SQF practices.

The company emphasizes onsite collaboration to support innovation, shared accountability, and agility. The position requires at least five years of product development experience, ideally in beverages; experience with low- or no-sugar and functional beverages is sought. A bachelor’s degree in Food Science or a related field is preferred, with equivalent experience accepted. The role requires travel of 25–30% and the ability to accommodate an occasional evening or weekend schedule for special assignments.

Requirements

• At least 5 years of product development experience, ideally in the beverage industry.
• Strong working knowledge of food science principles; the chemical composition of food and ingredients; ingredient functionality; food manufacturing; and package development processes.
• Strong project management skills.
• Experience with low- or no-sugar and functional beverages.
• Strong experience and understanding of flavors.
• Expert ability to multitask and contribute to multiple projects simultaneously.
• Ability to accommodate a flexible schedule, including occasional evenings and weekends for special assignments.
• Ability to travel 25–30% to support trials and vendor and co-manufacturer visits.

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor’s degree in Food Science or a related field is preferred; equivalent experience is accepted.
• Food industry enthusiast (“foodie”).
• Creative, proactive self-starter with organization and strong attention to detail.
• Thrives in a fast-paced environment and is eager to learn and make an impact quickly.
• Collaborates and shares ideas and resources to achieve better results.

Responsibilities

• Participate in identifying, designing, developing, creating, and testing product prototypes.
• Lead end-to-end product development projects from benchtop through commercialization and product reassessment.
• Use knowledge of ingredient functionality, processing parameters, and flavor functionality to develop finished formulas and rapid prototypes for consumer testing.
• Manage multiple projects of varying complexity, including complex, long-term projects requiring sustained involvement and coordination across divisions and external resources.
• Collaborate with Marketing, Insights, Operations, Procurement, Quality, and Engineering throughout product development.
• Create designs of experiments and lead and conduct trials needed for product validation during development.
• Compile, provide, and clearly communicate data to support moving products into commercialization.
• Develop initial cost of goods, process-control specifications, and finished-product specifications.
• Identify and lead opportunities to plan, formulate, and research new products.
• Solve technical problems creatively and efficiently.
• Work with vendors and ingredient suppliers to develop product solutions, support process implementation and improvement, and build an external innovation network.
• Lead formulation and production optimization opportunities that improve quality and efficiency and reduce costs.
• Partner with suppliers and co-packers on initiatives such as cost reduction and innovation, and facilitate knowledge transfer and decision-making.
• Analyze and present project results, including recommendations for next steps, to internal stakeholders.
• Take initiative and prioritize tasks using strong time-management, organizational, problem-prevention, and problem-solving skills.
• Follow food safety, quality, and SQF practices and notify the immediate manager of food safety or quality issues.
• Complete other responsibilities as assigned.

Benefits

• Three weeks of vacation per calendar year, with additional accrual available over time depending on exempt status.
• Six weeks of paid parental leave for FMLA-qualifying employees; birth mothers receive additional medical leave, and additional leave may be available depending on state and circumstances.
• Monthly flexibility stipend for eligible employees, intended to help cover items such as phone, internet, or other business-related needs.
• Relocation available when available.
• Mileage reimbursement for eligible onsite and hybrid employees who carpool with another Rain Maker at least twice a week.
• 401(k) with immediate vesting, matched contributions, and investment customization.
• Fitness reimbursements for community events and competitions.
• Access to an onsite gym in Preston, with a personal trainer two days per week.
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance; the company notes that one plan is free for employees.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior