Product Developer

WHO WE ARE

We’re Talking Rain, and we’re so much more than water. We build flavorful brands, like Sparkling Ice, Sparkling Ice +Caffeine, Sparkling Ice +Energy, Talking Rain Waters, and AQA pH waters. We're creating connections with every sip!

When it comes to success, we know we’re only as strong as our team. That's why we're an equal-opportunity employer. We value diversity and practice inclusivity, hiring great people who enhance our company.

Our Rain Makers are our most important asset. That’s why we invest in them with ⁠benefits and development opportunities that reflect just how much we value them. 

Our Research & Development team is proud of where we’ve been, but more interested in where we’re going. This team drives creativity, growing our portfolio of products.

Here, you’ll drive product development and innovation, by leveraging your curiosity, technical knowledge of formulation, and food and beverage experience.  You will be leading projects from idea to commercialization, with the sense of ownership, creativity, curiosity precision, and collaboration

Reports to: Manager, Research & Development

Direct Reports: N/A

Location:  Onsite at our Preston, WA office 5 days a week

Base Salary : $100,000-$126,000

Annual Bonus: 7% - Eligibility is based on the company hitting annual financial targets.

Note: New hires typically receive between minimum and midpoint, however, we may go slightly higher based on experience, internal equity and, market.

• Participate in the identification, design, development, creation, and testing of product prototypes

• Drive and lead end-to-end product development projects from benchtop through commercialization and product reassessment.

• Use knowledge of ingredient functionality, processing parameters, and flavor functionality to develop finished formulas and rapid prototypes to test with consumers

• Manages multiple projects of various degrees of difficulty as well as more complex and long-term projects that require sustained involvement and coordination skills across several divisions and includes multiple outside resources.

• Collaborate with Marketing, Insights, Operations, Procurement, Quality and Engineering in the Product Development process

• Responsible for creating design of experiments, and leading and conducting trials required for product validation during the development phase.

• Compiles, provides and communicates data clearly in relation to moving products to the commercialization phase  

• Develops initial cost of goods, specifications of process control and finished specification.

• Identify and lead opportunities to plan, formulate, and research the development of new products.

• Creatively solve technical problems in a rapid, efficient manner.

• Work with vendors and ingredient suppliers to develop product solutions, including optimal solutions for process implementation and improvement, while also building an external innovation network.

• Proactively identifies, initiates, and leads optimization opportunities for formulation and production - resulting in improved quality, efficiency, and reduced costs.

• Partner with our supplier and co-packer networks to deliver meaningful impact to the company (e.g., cost reduction, innovation, etc.) and to facilitate knowledge transfer and decision making.

• Analyze and present project results outlining and recommending the next steps to internal stakeholders.

• Ability to take initiative and prioritize tasks; good time-management, organizational, problem-prevention and problem-solving skills.

• Ensure food safety, quality, and SQF practices are always followed, notifying immediate manager of any food safety and/or quality issues.

• Complete other responsibilities as assigned.

• 5+ years of product development experience, ideally in the beverage industry.

• Bachelor’s degree in Food Science or related field preferred; equivalent experience accepted.

• Strong working knowledge of food science principles, chemical composition of food and ingredients, ingredient functionality, food manufacturing and package development processes and ingredient functionality.

• Thrives in a fast-paced environment with the opportunity to learn and make an impact quickly.

• Strong Project Management Skills.

• Experience with low/no sugar and functional beverages.

• Strong Experience and understanding of flavors.

• Expert ability to multi-task and contribute to multiple projects at the same time.

• Creates increased benefits and successes through collaboration and by sharing ideas and resources.

• Creative, proactive self-starter who is organized with a strong attention to detail.

• Foodies are highly preferred.

• Ability to accommodate a flexible schedule, occasionally working evenings and weekends as needed for special assignments.

• Ability to travel 25-30% to support trials, vendor visits, co-manufacturer visits, etc.

Rain Makers are people who are accountable, curious, and inclusive.
We hold ourselves accountable and recognize room for growth while openly accepting feedback. We embrace change to deliver progressive results.
Rain Makers don’t wait for answers – we go find them. Curiosity is part of what makes us so successful. Sometimes we push back, productively challenging the status quo.
We promote inclusivity. Valuing communication and respect, ensuring everyone has a seat at the table. We are an approachable bunch, building and fostering relationships with people of all backgrounds.
WHAT WE OFFER
Nothing makes a great job even better than throwing in a few perks, and we want to equip our Rain Makers with everything they need to maintain their health and well-being. That means things like...

• Three Weeks of Vacation. And that’s just to start! Spend some time with us, and you’ll accrue an additional week every few years, depending on your exempt status!

• Six Weeks of Paid Parental Leave. Parents get to spend time at home bonding with their new addition (whether it arrives by birth, fostering, or adoption). For birth mothers, additional time is provided for medical leave. Depending on the state in which you reside, additional time may also be available for parents who do not require medical leave.

• Flexibility Stipend. For eligible Rain Makers, spend this extra monthly stipend as you wish, but know it’s intended to contribute to things like your phone, internet or other business uses while working remotely or needs outside of normal working hours.

• Relocation: Relocation Available (when available)

• Onsite and Hybrid Employees: Get paid to carpool! Drive to work with another Rain Maker every week at least 2X a week and receive $0.25 per mile.

• 401k with Immediate Vesting. With matched contributions and investment customization, we'll help build a plan to reach your goals.

• Fitness Reimbursements. We're all about going the extra mile, so we provide reimbursements for community events and competitions like fun runs, triathlons, and cycling tours.

  • Employees may also enjoy access to our on-site gym in Preston complete with a personal trainer 2 days per week.

• Medical/Dental/Vision. Not only do we offer it, but our plans are excellent and flexible to your needs. And one is even free for our Rain Makers!

• Vehicle Program –

  • Field Sales Specialist – Mileage is reimbursed at the IRS rate

  • Field Sales Managers and Market Managers – Company car or vehicle stipend included!

  • Regional Sales Managers and Sales Directors – We use the leader in vehicle reimbursement solutions, Motus. This program provides a monthly fixed and variable rate that adheres to IRS guidelines for the business use of personal vehicles.

Please note, eligibility for our full benefits package is based on an average of 30+ hours per week in regular (not temporary) positions.

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