Product Development Associate – Food Innovation & Commercialization

Location: Emeryville, CA (Onsite 3–5 days per week)
 

About the Role

We are seeking a motivated Product Development Associate to support one of the most recognized brands in the nutrition and snack industry. In this role, you will work on the development and improvement of innovative food products, collaborating with experienced product developers and cross-functional teams to bring high-quality products to market.

This is an excellent opportunity for an early-career food scientist or engineer looking to gain hands-on experience with product innovation, commercialization, quality improvement, and manufacturing support.

Key Responsibilities

• Support new product innovation, renovation, and commercialization projects.

• Participate in product development activities from concept through execution.

• Prepare and evaluate benchtop samples to support development initiatives.

• Assist with ingredient and sample receiving, shipping, and inventory management.

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to identify and resolve technical challenges.

• Investigate product quality issues and implement corrective actions.

• Support business continuity, cost optimization, and plant performance improvement initiatives.

• Analyze data, interpret results, and provide recommendations based on technical findings.

• Develop and maintain process specifications to ensure consistent product quality across manufacturing facilities.

• Document project findings and communicate technical information effectively.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Chemical Engineering, Food Engineering, or a related scientific discipline.

• 1–3 years of experience in product development, food science, manufacturing, R&D, or a related field.

• Strong technical foundation with a passion for learning and innovation.

• Ability to manage multiple priorities and work effectively both independently and within a team environment.

• Strong problem-solving and analytical skills.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

• Experience interpreting technical data and translating findings into actionable recommendations.

• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience within the food, beverage, nutrition, or consumer packaged goods (CPG) industry.

• Familiarity with manufacturing processes and product commercialization.

• Experience supporting quality improvement or process optimization initiatives.

What You'll Gain

• Hands-on experience with a leading nutrition and snack brand.

• Exposure to innovation, product renovation, and manufacturing support projects.

• Mentorship from experienced food scientists and product developers.

• Opportunity to work on products enjoyed by millions of consumers nationwide.

• Collaborative, fast-paced environment with significant learning and growth opportunities.