R&D Manager

Actual Veggies • Denver, CO

1d

About The Position

Love building craveable food with real ingredients—and taking it from kitchen concept to nationwide shelves? This role puts you in full ownership of product innovation at a fast-growing, veggie-forward brand, where taste, integrity, and scale all matter. Actual Veggies At Actual Veggies, we celebrate whole foods, real ingredients and veggies! Launched in 2021, our chef-crafted veggie burgers are available nationally in about 12,000 retail doors including Whole Foods, Sprouts, Kroger, and Albertsons/Safeway. As we expand to new categories with our innovation, we’re on the fast track for exponential growth and looking forward to being a power player in bringing real food and real ingredients to more households. What You Will Do The Research & Development Manager will shape the future of Actual Veggies’ product portfolio, leading innovation and optimization from concept to scale in close collaboration with internal teams and co-manufacturing partners.

Requirements

• 5+ years of R&D project management experience in the food industry (frozen food ideally)
• Proven experience working with co-manufacturing partners
• Strong communication and relationship management skills
• Experience with sensory evaluation and external consultants

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor’s degree in food science, microbiology, or related field preferred

Responsibilities

• Build and lead the R&D function for Actual Veggies burgers + fries, and any new products
• Lead end-to-end development of all products from concept through commercialization and scale-up
• Develop line extensions and innovation aligned with brand strategy, retailer feedback, and consumer trends
• Ensure all recipes can be viable in a manufacturing environment
• Create optimization based on evolving needs, nutrients, pricing, while leading with taste
• Lead R&D focus sessions with internal stakeholders
• Create samples as needed
• Conduct benchtop, pilot plant, and production trials
• Establish and maintain product specifications, formulas, and process parameters
• Visit co-manufacturing sites to support trials and ensure production accuracy
• Own nutrition panel and ingredient list regulatory compliance
• Evaluate ingredient alternatives and co-manufacturer capabilities to support clean-label, cost, and scalability goals
• Partner with QA and Consumer Affairs to stay close to consumer feedback

Benefits

• Competitive salary based on experience
• Collaborative, mission-driven team environment
• Company sponsored health, dental, and vision programs
• Medical insurance
• Vision insurance
• Dental insurance
• 401(k)
• PTO

What This Job Offers

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