Research & Development Manager

Careers at Pressed•Dinuba, CA

17h

About The Position

As Pressed expands, consistent product execution is critical. The R&D Manager is responsible for owning the translation of Support Center-developed formulations into robust, scalable manufacturing processes and for defining, approving, and maintaining product and process standards across our Fresno and Dinuba facilities. This role serves as the primary technical authority at the plant level, ensuring that what is developed by HQ R&D is executed with precision, consistency, and integrity — batch after batch, bottle after bottle. The R&D Manager exercises independent judgment to establish and optimize critical process parameters, evaluate formulation and ingredient variability, and make non-routine technical decisions that protect product quality, food safety, and brand standards. Operating within Pressed’s clean-label standards (no natural flavors, additives, or preservatives) and established quality, safety, and operational guidelines, this role also identifies opportunities to improve process performance, product consistency, and manufacturing outcomes. Success in this role requires advanced Food Science expertise, strong sensory and analytical skills, and the ability to lead cross-functional decision-making in a fast-paced, bilingual (English/Spanish) manufacturing environment.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Food Technology, or a closely related scientific field required; Master’s degree strongly preferred.
5+ years of progressive experience in food or beverage R&D, process development, or technical services, with significant experience in manufacturing environments.
Demonstrated experience leading scale-up, defining process parameters, and making independent technical decisions that impact product quality, safety, and cost.
Strong background in sensory science and application in production settings, including design and interpretation of sensory programs.
Experience developing and maintaining raw material and finished product specifications, and leading cross-functional technical projects.
Robust understanding of GMP, HACCP, and shelf-life principles and their practical application in manufacturing.
Strong analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills, with the ability to influence and lead cross-functional teams without direct authority.
Comfortable working in manufacturing environments and balancing time between office-based analysis and on-floor technical leadership.
Must be legally authorized to work in the United States without restriction.

Nice To Haves

Experience with juices and ready-to-drink (RTD) beverages (e.g., HPP beverages, smoothies) preferred; familiarity with clean-label and minimally processed products strongly preferred.
Fluent in Spanish strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

Own the scale-up of approved formulas from benchtop through pilot and full-scale production, including trial design, protocol development, execution oversight, data analysis, and final technical recommendations.
Establish, approve, and maintain critical product and process parameters (e.g., pH, Brix, temperature, hold times, yields), ensuring they are integrated into plant SOPs, batch sheets, and training materials.
Independently evaluate formulation and process change requests, conduct technical risk assessments, and approve or recommend modifications through established change-control processes.
Lead cross-functional root cause analyses for complex production issues, determine corrective and preventive actions, and make go/no-go recommendations for product disposition and future runs.
Act as the primary decision-maker for technical questions related to product execution at the plant, escalating only complex or strategic issues to the Director of R&D.
Collaborate with QA, Production, Procurement, and Supply Chain to ensure reliable and repeatable batch outcomes across shifts and facilities.
Design and oversee in-line and post-production sensory evaluation programs for key products, establishing and maintaining gold-standard sensory benchmarks in alignment with HQ R&D.
Define sensory-based acceptance and rejection criteria for raw materials and finished goods and make final technical recommendations regarding product release or hold.
Interpret production, sensory, and quality data to identify trends, systemic risks, and opportunities for process or formulation improvement.
Lead implementation of sensory and quality improvements in partnership with QA and Operations.
Partner with QA leadership to refine and enhance quality and sensory protocols to reflect current technical standards and product intent.
Lead technical evaluation of new and alternate ingredients for sensory, formulation, and functional fit, including specification review, variability assessment, and impact on process performance and shelf life.
Design and oversee shelf-life studies (sensory, microbial, packaging stability), analyze results, and recommend shelf-life parameters, storage conditions, and formulation or process adjustments as needed.
Maintain comprehensive documentation on ingredient variability, formulation adjustments, and process changes, providing clear technical rationale to QA, Procurement, and Operations.
Serve as the primary R&D representative for manufacturing initiatives, translating product and brand intent into clear, actionable product and process specifications.
Provide technical leadership for new line validations, equipment commissioning, and process optimization projects, including defining success criteria and recommending changes to equipment settings or process design.
Evaluate and recommend enhancements to GMP, HACCP, and internal quality protocols from a technical perspective, partnering with QA to implement and monitor improvements.
Influence production planning and operational decisions by providing technical guidance on product feasibility, run order considerations, change impacts, and risk mitigation.
Own the creation, approval, and ongoing maintenance of raw material and finished product specifications, ensuring accuracy and alignment with brand and regulatory requirements.
Develop and deliver clear technical summaries and reports to the Director of R&D and cross-functional partners, highlighting trends, risks, and recommended actions.
Provide technical guidance and coaching to plant leadership, supervisors, and QA staff to elevate understanding of product standards, process parameters, and scientific rationale.
Contribute to commercialization and strategic R&D discussions by representing the manufacturing perspective and identifying implications for plant execution.