Location: Stamford, CT
Category: R&D / Scientific/Product Development
Department: R&D
Job ID: 10114-en_US
This is a Hybrid position, with three days in the office and two days remote!!
Primo Brands is a leading branded beverage company in North America with a focus on healthy hydration. We are proud to offer an extensive and iconic portfolio of highly recognizable, sustainably sourced, and conveniently packaged branded beverages distributed across more than 150,000 retail outlets.
Job Description
We are currently seeking a Sr Product Development Scientist – R&D to join the Primo Brands R&D organization based in Stamford, CT. This is a key role responsible for managing innovation, renovation & supply projects for Primo Brands Strategic Growth Portfolio and the qualification of new ingredient suppliers.
The Sr. Product Development Scientist will:
Be responsible for identifying technical solutions and delivering product formulation and scale up needs for the innovation and renovation project portfolio. Partner with Marketing to leverage and translate sensory and consumer insights into products from concept to launch. Lead overall product development initiatives from bench top formulation to scale up. Support associated industrialization trials in close collaboration with Quality. Represent the R&D team as subject matter expert for product development and product knowledge transfer to the factories. Collaborate internally and externally to build strong relationships in order to continuously improve technical capabilities and facilitate agile project management. Work closely with procurement team to ensure new suppliers/ingredients are qualified for use in current/future formulations.
Key responsibilities for this position include, but are not limited to:
• Lead consumer-focused new product/formula development projects for all domestic brands (Pure Life, Frutitas, Saratoga, Splash Refreshers, Splash Refreshers Spark, Poland Springs, Deer Park, Zephyrhills, Ozarka, Ice Mountain and Arrowhead).
• Set and manage product development project plans and facilitate execution to ensure projects are completed on time and within budget
• Hands on benchtop beverage development, scale up and industrialization
• Collaborate cross-functionally with Marketing, Quality, Engineering, Purchasing, Regulatory and Legal while leveraging external resources from ingredient suppliers, co-manufacturers and other 3rd party resources to deliver project results and innovative new product formulations.
• Lead the qualification of 3rd party flavor houses, develop RFP/Briefs for new flavor/ingredient opportunities.
• Lead ingredient, product recipe and specification development deliverables through industrialization phase
• Manage technical direction of projects; identify /communicate key deliverables and next steps.
• Manage complex business relationships with ingredient, process technology partner companies, contract developers and manufacturers, consultants, vendors, cross-functional departments, and outside experts in support of achieving consumer needs and effective project execution.
• Effectively prioritize and manage multiple projects concurrently varying in length.
• Utilize the Primo stage gate innovation framework to ensure full compliance with the Quality Management System and adhere to all relevant Primo Technical Instructions for new product development initiatives.
• Support on-going operations with recipe/ingredient specification changes and the qualification of new ingredients.
#LI-Hybrid
Qualifications
Key qualifications for this position include, but are not limited to:
• Bachelor’s degree required in Food Science, food engineering or related field
• Minimum 10 years of relevant work experience in product development, process scale up, quality, or manufacturing in CPG setting (Beverage experience required)
• Strong project management experience with the ability to manage multiple projects concurrently and in matrix environments
• Demonstrated competency in managing complexity and ambiguity
• Communicates in a timely, concise, and effective manner, both written and verbally.
• Strong interpersonal and leadership skills. Ability to effectively interface at all levels, with strong ability to influence with integrity, especially across functions.
• Ability to facilitate meetings, conference calls and present effectively to groups at all levels
• Strong computer skills, including the use of Microsoft Word, Excel, Project, and PowerPoint as well as SAP
• Understanding of financials (COGs, basic P&L understanding)
• Six Sigma Certification, GSTD/DMAIC, FI experience a plus.
• Ability to travel, approximately 25% throughout the year. Some international travel may be required
Primo Brands’ established portfolio includes billion-dollar brands Poland Spring® and Pure Life®, premium brands like Saratoga® and Mountain Valley®, regional leaders such as Arrowhead®, Deer Park®, Ice Mountain® Ozarka®, and Zephyrhills®, purified brands, Primo Water® and Sparkletts®, and flavored and enhanced brands like Splash® and AC+ION®. Our extensive direct-to-consumer offerings and industry-leading line-up of innovative water dispensers create consumer connectivity through recurring water purchases across Water Direct, Water Exchange, and Water Refill. At Primo Brands, our more than 11,000 associates are at the heart of what we do and deliver on our mission to provide healthy hydration to consumers wherever, however and whenever they want it. We believe in fostering a respectful culture, which values our associates who are deeply invested in quality hydration, our communities, and the sustainability of our packaging and water sources for generations to come.
Primo Brands is proud to be an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer, seeking to create a welcoming and diverse environment. We do not discriminate based on race, religion, color, national origin, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, transgender status, sexual stereotypes, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics. We also consider qualified applicants with criminal histories, consistent with applicable federal, state, and local law. If you need any assistance or accommodations due to a disability, please contact us at BlueTritonHR@bluetriton.com
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