Research And Development Manager

MoonBrew – Manager of R&D – Job Description Application Process : Please send your CV and an email with subject line, “APPLICATION – Manager of R&D”, describing your interest in the role to kyle@moonbrew.co Applications will be evaluated on a rolling basis - target start date is immediate Overview MoonBrew (formerly NoonBrew), a melatonin-free sleep supplement company headquartered in New York City, is dedicated to enhancing peoples well-being through optimized sleep and recovery. Recognizing the significance of quality sleep, we are on a mission to empower individuals to achieve their best selves, starting with the night before. We launched in September of 2021 and have since sold over 25+ million servings nationwide. This is a compelling opportunity to be a part of an exciting team disrupting the sleep supplement industry. Today, 1 in 3 Americans struggle with sleep. According to McKinsey’s Future of Wellness Research in 2024, consumers consistently rank sleep as a top health and wellness priority but also view the wellness category as having the most unmet needs. MoonBrew is here to change that. Role and Responsibilities The Manager of R&D will be a visionary leader responsible for driving innovation and optimization within MoonBrew's product portfolio. This role will help lead the research and development of new formats & flavors, while also continuously seeking to maximize taste and efficacy potential of our existing products. They will maintain a deep understanding of market trends, ingredient science, and collaborate cross-functionally to ensure our products remain best-in-class. This role will also help drive scaling formulations from benchtop to production, closely collaborating with flavorhouses and CROs. This is a hands-on role where a significant amount of your time will be spent in the lab testing formulations and processes. The remainder will focus on researching new ingredients and methods, meticulously documenting your work, and traveling to manufacturing sites as needed. This role will report directly to the Director of R&D. What you’ll do Formula Development & Optimization Formulate and optimize innovative formulas across the entire product portfolio. Manage and lead Contract Research Organization (CRO) and flavorhouse research initiatives to advance product development. Maintain robust source-of-truth data for formulas, optimizations, and ingredient specifications. Develop and maintain a clear Point of View (PoV) on an ideal ingredient specification library. Create and refine samples for rigorous internal testing and evaluation. Collaborate closely with the Operations team to identify and execute opportunities for formulation and process optimization. Sensory Evaluation Conduct comprehensive sensory evaluations to meticulously assess product flavor, texture, appearance, and solubility. Analyze consumer feedback and preferences to inform product improvements and new developments. Perform precise laboratory experiments, including physical property measurements, to ensure product quality and consistency. Continuously research and analyze popular ingredients in the market, deeply understanding their function, benefits, and applications. Proactively identify areas where current products may fall short and strategize on how to optimize them for maximum taste and efficacy. Stay abreast of the latest scientific literature and industry insights on in-trend ingredients and emerging technologies. Compliance & Quality Assurance Stay rigorously up-to-date on all relevant food safety regulations and industry standards. Ensure all products consistently meet and exceed food safety regulations and quality benchmarks. Maintain a clean, organized, and compliant laboratory environment. What you’ll bring Must have 3+ years of industry experience in the food science field, with a strong preference for experience in sleep-aid or dietary supplements R&D. A strong curiosity and desire to discover and implement the latest food technologies that enable the design of tasty, efficacious, and easy-to-use sleep products. A desire to challenge traditional methods, experiment boldly, and drive continuous improvement. Proven ability to effectively partner and collaborate with external vendors, especially flavorhouses, to achieve product goals. High intellectual horsepower, attention to detail, and a commitment to accuracy in all scientific endeavors. A strong EQ and a passion for fostering positive experiences, both internally and through our products. Ability to leverage data to drive insightful, strategic decision-making. Proven ability to foster seamless execution and effective cross-functional collaboration. A proactive attitude with a passion for bringing visions to life through strong execution. A hands-on approach to identifying and resolving challenges efficiently. Adept at engaging and influencing diverse audiences, from team members to executive stakeholders. Thrives in a fast-paced environment and can work independently to achieve goals. Demonstrates humility, self-awareness, and a continuous curiosity for learning. A collaborative spirit and enthusiasm for contributing to an early-stage brand's growth. Low ego - puts the needs of the business ahead of personal interests. Practicalities This is a full-time role Salary - competitive base salary ($90,000 to $120,000) + potential equity and bonus package Unlimited PTO policy We work in the office 5 days per week in New York City - working together is actually a lot of fun if you enjoy working with a great team!

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