Job description

Kahala Brands, a globally recognized leader in quick-service restaurant franchising located in beautiful Scottsdale Arizona, currently has an opportunity for a Director of Research and Development to join the headquarters team. Kahala franchisees and partners operate a portfolio of over 28 quick-service restaurant brands including Cold Stone Creamery, Blimpie, TacoTime and Baja Fresh, among others, in over 20 countries around the world

YOU SHOULD WORK FOR KAHALA!

Candidates applying to this position must have food development experience with exposure to ice cream innovation and flavor development.

As the director of Research and Development, you would act as the primary R&D contact for Cold Stone Creamery and various other sweet brands, both domestically and internationally. The ideal candidate for this role will be enthusiastic in developing new products, procedures and process for their assigned brands. This role works closely with Purchasing and suppliers to procure products as needed. Monitoring current industry trends, consumer insights and competitive restaurant/menu strategies is an important aspect of this role. This position functions as the resident food scientist for Kahala Brands. Food is your passion and inspires creativity.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provides innovative ideas for the development of new products and flavors for use domestically and/or internationally
• Formulates new products from benchtop through commercialization
• Conducts new product evaluations for quality, costs, ease of use/preparation while maintaining food safety and regulatory requirements specific to the menu development
• Leads annual ideation sessions and present new products and flavors
• Analyzes feedback and results from product cuttings for specific product attributes
• Assists in alternative mix development, identifying flavor alternatives, and reviewing special flavor/product requests for international Master Franchisees
• Leads the communication, inspection and approval process for international dairies
• Identifies opportunities for competitive market advantage through creative prototype development
• Monitors current industry trends, consumer insights and competitive restaurant/menu strategies
• Reviews and assists with the flavor development of licensed food products
• Evaluates products to identify opportunities for improvement in areas such as ingredient statements, nutritional facts, costs and shelf lives
• Identifies, reviews and approves potential ingredient, manufacturing and co-manufacturing suppliers
• Maintains accurate and organized records for product development, recipes, suppliers, spec sheets and ingredients
• Shares responsibilities for nutritional analysis using ESHA Genesis nutrition software
• Meets with suppliers and manufacturers for prospective new products, ideations for new items, and improvements for existing items
• Collects Kosher certificates annually from suppliers
• Provides responses for consumer inquiries when relevant
• Demonstrates technical expertise with emphasis on food science, food chemistry, shelf life, ingredient functionality, sensory techniques, ingredient processing interactions, analytical and test procedures, and recipe formulation
• Offers thorough understanding of food safety in all aspects of the business including all products and ingredients, equipment, sanitation and cleanliness
• Supervises assigned personnel
• Participates in special events such as school tours, celebrity events and new franchisee training
• Supports various Ops Services team responsibilities and assists with headquarters events such as dry run fundraisers, employee lunches and employee activities (e.g., planning/setting up/hosting/breaking down headquarters events)

PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES

• Passionate about food
• Creatively inclined

KNOWLEDGE / SKILLS

• Bachelor of Science degree is required; Master’s degree is beneficial
• Degrees in Food Science and/or Dairy Science are preferred
• Experience primarily in research and development with exposure to ice cream innovation and flavor development
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Strong presentation skills
• Ability to handle a variety of different tasks at once, prioritizing and sequencing actions/decisions to move tasks toward execution
• Organized, detail-oriented and able to work independently, as well as part of a team
• Enthusiastic, optimistic and service-minded team leader
• Demonstrated desire for continuous learning and improvement
• Ability to travel domestically and internationally on occasion

KAHALA BRANDS IS PROUD TO BE AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER WHO EMBRACES DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION

Principals only. Recruiters please don't contact this job poster.
*Please do not contact job poster about other services, products or commercial interests.*

Benefits:

• 401(k) matching, including Roth options
• 3 Medical insurance plans
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible spending account
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Short-term disability insurance
• Long-term disability insurance
• Paid time off (10 holidays, 3 weeks PTO)
• Tuition reimbursement
• Referral program
• Wellness programs

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $100,000.00 - $125,000.00 per year

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday

Ability to commute/relocate:

• Scottsdale, AZ 85258: Reliably commute or planning to relocate before starting work (Required)

Education:

• Bachelor's (Required)

Experience:

• Market research: 1 year (Preferred)

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Scottsdale, AZ 85258

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