Senior R&D Developer- Powder Blending

Ready to bring beverage concepts to life at scale? Join our onsite team in Phoenix, Arizona at a dynamic co-manufacturing facility where innovation meets production. As a Senior R&D Developer - Powder Blending / Team Lead, you’ll lead the development of cutting-edge beverage formulations - from nutraceutical and hydration blends to energy powders - transforming ideas into commercially viable, high-performing products.

If you thrive in a fast-paced, hands-on environment where lab work connects directly to full-scale manufacturing, this role is for you. Your Responsibilities: Product & Process Development

• Develop new beverage recipes and powder blending processes for innovation (ItM) and customer-driven (BtO/B2C) projects.
• Partner with Product Managers and Technical Project Managers as co-project owner to bring concepts to commercialization.
• Convert liquid formulations into stable powder systems using appropriate technologies.
• Implement newly developed or optimized production processes into manufacturing.
• Develop new raw materials and optimize existing recipes for quality, functionality, and cost.
• Create application recommendations for new ingredients.

Testing, Quality & Optimization

• Lead and execute shelf-life and stability testing in collaboration with Quality and Product Science.
• Define evaluation criteria for customer and benchmark products.
• Ensure accurate and timely lab blends and product samples.
• Taste and evaluate developed products.
• Execute corrective actions assigned by Quality.
• Ensure compliance with hygiene, HACCP, food safety, occupational safety, and environmental standards.

Systems, Documentation & Budget Ownership

• Manage projects within approved budgets and proactively address variances with leadership.
• Maintain and create recipes and substance data in SAP.
• Document processes accurately within internal IT systems.
• Support recipe portfolio optimization for cost, quality, and resource efficiency.
• Promote continuous process standardization and operational improvements.

Cross-Functional & Customer Collaboration

• Collaborate closely with Sales, Technical Account Managers, and Project Managers to clarify briefs and refine formulations.
• Coordinate and lead customer visits and workshops for key projects.
• Support discussions around filling technology, packaging systems, and customer-specific requirements.
• Ensure strong communication across R&D, Quality, Sourcing, and Operations.

• Knowledge of blending equipment across lab, pilot, and production scale.
• Understanding of moisture control and O -stable packaging systems.
• Experience with nutraceutical, hydration, and energy blend base ingredients.
• Knowledge of flavor powder systems and liquid-to-solid conversion techniques.

Your Profile:

• Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry, Food Science, or related field.
• 3-5 years of experience in food & beverage development

(5-8 years required for Team Lead title consideration)

• Hands-on experience with SAP.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite.
• Ability to work independently in an onsite manufacturing environment.
• Willingness to travel <20% domestically/internationally.
• Travel to production sites 1-2 times per month as needed
• Regular travel between 50-70% to customer sites and R&D facilities to support projects and provide hands-on expertise

Pulled from the full job description

• Paid parental leave
• Parental leave
• Health insurance
• 401(k) matching
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance
• Dental insurance, * Comprehensive Health Coverage - Medical, Dental, and Vision Plans to support you and your family
• Paid Parental Leave -Maternity and Paternity Leave so you can focus on what matters most
• 401(k) Retirement Plan with Employer Match - Plan for your future with company-supported retirement savings
• Paid Time Off - Enjoy a healthy work-life balance with PTO and 11 Paid Holidays
• Employee Engagement - Join our Engagement Team for fun events, volunteer opportunities, and ways to connect with colleagues across the company
• Döhler Academy: You have the opportunity to continuously develop your education further through internal and external training programs
• Supportive Culture - Friendly and informal atmosphere, family-owned, flat hierarchies, open communication, and helpful colleagues
• Meaningful Impact - Be an integral part of our business success and help shape the future of nutrition
• Empowerment - Unleash your full potential with opportunities to grow, lead, and make a real difference