What are the responsibilities and job description for the Vice President of Manufacturing (Food & Beverage) position at Brightpath Associates LLC?
Vice President of Manufacturing (Food & Beverage)
Full Time Role
Utica, NY Onsite
Position Summary
We are seeking a senior, plant-focused Product Developer to lead the formulation and commercialization of yeast-leavened dough systems in a high-volume manufacturing environment. This role bridges research and development and operations, with a focus on fermentation control, flour functionality, enzyme systems, and real-world production performance.
This is a hands-on role that requires time on the production floor to ensure products are scalable, consistent, and efficient in a manufacturing setting.
Key Responsibilities
Dough and Fermentation Development
- Design and optimize yeast-leavened dough systems (fresh, par-baked, frozen)
- Manage fermentation performance including proofing behavior and gas retention
- Troubleshoot frozen dough stability and baking performance
Flour and Ingredient Functionality
- Manage flour variability across suppliers and seasonal changes
- Optimize protein levels and gluten development
- Evaluate enzyme systems for consistency, shelf life, and performance
Plant Integration and Line Optimization
- Work directly with operations on the production floor
- Troubleshoot issues such as stickiness, tearing, shrinkage, and variability
- Translate technical solutions into practical, operator-friendly processes
Commercialization and Scale-Up
- Lead plant trials and production start-ups
- Partner with procurement on ingredient specifications
- Ensure products meet cost, yield, and throughput targets
Cross-Functional Leadership
- Collaborate with R&D, QA, Operations, and Sales
- Train plant personnel on new products and processes
- Drive continuous improvement initiatives
Qualifications
- 8–15 years of experience in bakery, pizza, or yeast-leavened dough systems (industrial scale required)
- Strong expertise in fermentation, frozen dough systems, flour functionality, and enzyme systems
- Hands-on plant experience required
- Strong understanding of mixing, sheeting, proofing, freezing, and baking systems
- Proven troubleshooting and problem-solving skills