Research & Development Director – Cafe Valley Bakery

Who is Cafe Bakery
Since 1987, the team at Cafe Valley Bakery has been producing high-volume muffins, cakes, cupcakes, turnovers, croissants, and newly added scones for our customers throughout North and South America. Our products are made with high-quality ingredients and crafted with care in our Phoenix, Arizona and Marion, Indiana bakeries.

Who You Are
The R&D Director creates innovative products, enhancing existing ones, and refining the manufacturing processes to ensure we produce the very best while maintaining cost efficiency. Expertise in batter and laminate dough product innovation will be your superpower, enabling you to swiftly drive projects from prototype to market-ready solutions. Heavy hands-on benchtop work as an individual contributor who is part of a collective team.

Location
This position works on-site 5 days a week at our Phoenix plant. Relocation assistance is provided.

What You Will Get

• Competitive salary
• Paid time off
• 401(k) plan with generous match
• Benefits package that includes medical, dental, vision, life, and other supplemental coverages

What You Will Do

• Own the development, formulation, and build of new bakery products, ensuring they meet company standards for quality, taste, and functionality
• Plan, execute, and oversee plant trials (sample runs) to evaluate the viability and scalability of new products in the manufacturing environment
• Collaborate with manufacturing teams to address and resolve any issues that arise during trial runs
• Ensure successful transition from pilot scale to full-scale production
• Prepare and maintain comprehensive product documentation, including vendor briefs, plant trial briefs, finished product specifications, ingredient lists, and Bills of Materials (BOMs)
• Ensure all product documentation is accurate, up-to-date, and meets regulatory and quality standards
• Research new product ingredients and suppliers to source high-quality materials
• Conduct ingredient evaluations and quality assessments
• Work closely with Sales, Quality Assurance, Purchasing, and other departments to ensure alignment and support for new product initiatives
• Communicate effectively with stakeholders to provide updates on project status and resolve any issues that arise
• Manage multiple product development projects simultaneously, ensuring timelines and milestones are met
• Utilize project management tools and techniques to track progress and coordinate activities
• Perform all related duties as required; related duties may not be specifically listed but are within the general occupational responsibility level typically associated with the employee’s classification of work

What You Need to Be Successful

• Ability to work with or around bakery allergens of all types
• 7 years of commercial manufacturing baking experience with batter, laminated dough is a plus
• AIB certification in baking
• Degree in food science or related field is desirable
• Strong understanding of bakery formulation, ingredient functionality, and bakery processing
• Excellent project management skills with the ability to handle multiple projects and ability to meet deadlines
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with a keen attention to detail
• Proven track record of bakery product development from concept to commercialization
• Effective communicator with internal and external stakeholders
• Strong understanding of manufacturing processes
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and familiarity with product development software and tools

Cafe Valley is an equal-opportunity employer and is committed to diversity in the workplace. We encourage applications from qualified individuals regardless of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.