Director of Product Development - Innovation

Director of Product Development - Innovations(position in Bakersfield, CA (no exceptions)Who We Are: Califia FarmsWe are Califia Farms (Califia, pronounced like California), the plant-powered food and beverage company of the future. Our mission is to innovate delicious plant-powered foods for mindful nourishment.We are the fastest growing plant-based beverage company in the Natural Distribution Channel in the US & are rapidly expanding overseas in the UK and Asia and established category leadership in several categories.Our approach to ingredient sourcing, manufacturing technologies and quality is key for product differentiation and enables us to continuously surprise our customers with unique, nutritious and enjoyable plant-based beverages.To support our growth goals and continue to maintain our leadership in delivering uniquely differentiating products and packages, we are excited to expand talent and leadership to product and process technology areas.OverviewThe Director of Product Development will lead innovation and commercialization for Califia Farms portfolio of plant-based beverages, including plant-based milks, creamers, barista, coffees, ready-to-drink beverages, and adjacent platforms. This role is responsible for building and executing a forward-thinking innovation pipeline that delivers exceptional taste, functionality, nutrition, and scalability while aligning with brand positioning and financial targets.The ideal candidate brings deep expertise in plant-based formulation, beverage processing (including aseptic / UHT), ingredient functionality (proteins, emulsifiers, stabilizers), and commercialization within both entrepreneurial and structured CPG environments, but very open to candidates with strong leadership skills from other food and beverage product categories.This position is located at our Bakersfield, CA manufacturing facility - there is no negotiation on this; it is imperative the director sits at the plant.ResponsibilitiesInnovation Strategy & Portfolio LeadershipDevelop and execute a multi-year innovation roadmap aligned with growth, margin, and brand objectivesIdentify whitespace opportunities across plant-based dairy alternatives, functional beverages, and emerging categoriesTranslate consumer insights, sensory trends, and sustainability goals into differentiated product conceptsBalance breakthrough innovation with renovation, cost optimization, and quality improvement initiativesPlant-Based Beverage Formulation & DevelopmentLead formulation of plant-based milks (oat, almond, soy, coconut, etc.), creamers, and RTD beveragesOptimize protein systems, emulsification, hydrocolloid stabilization, sweetness systems, and flavor makingEnsure products deliver on key functional attributes: foamability, heat stability (for coffee), mouthfeel, shelf stability and textureDrive nutritional targets (e.g., protein content, sugar reduction, fortification) while maintaining superior sensory performanceCommercialization & Scale-UpOversee end-to-end stage-gate process from benchtop through pilot plant commercial productionLead scale-up for aseptic / UHT processing, homogenization, HTST, and co-manufacturing environmentsPartner with Operations and Supply Chain to ensure manufacturability, ingredient security, and cost targetsTroubleshoot plant trials, manage first production runs, and resolve stability or quality challengesTechnical & Regulatory OversightEnsure compliance with FDA regulations, labeling requirements, and claim substantiation (e.g., non-dairy, allergen-free, protein claims)Oversee shelf-life validation, packaging compatibility, and quality assurance alignmentEvaluate emerging plant proteins, clean-label stabilizers, and sustainable ingredient innovationsMaintain awareness of evolving regulatory and competitive landscape in plant-based beveragesCross-Functional LeadershipPartner closely with Marketing, Sales, Finance, Procurement, and Operations to align innovation with business objectivesPresent pipeline updates and commercialization plans to executive leadershipSupport pricing strategy and margin modeling through formulation and ingredient optimizationTeam Development & Process ExcellenceBuild and mentor a high-performing R&D and beverage development teamEstablish strong documentation practices, formulation databases, and technical standardsImplement KPIs to track speed to market, cost targets, and innovation revenue contributionFoster a culture of curiosity, agility, and continuous improvementSalaryUp to the $180,000’sBenefits AvailableQualificationsRequiredBS degree in Food Science, Food Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or related field required; an advanced degree preferred10+ years of product development experience in dairy and/or plant-based beverages (foods)5+ years of leadership experienceProven track record launching commercialized dairy and / or plant-based beverages at scalePreferredPrior experience at a large, established CPG company with exposure to structured innovation processes and national-scale commercializationExperience in dairy / dairy alternatives (oats, almond, soy, coconut, pea-based systems)Familiarity with barista functionality and coffee applicationsSensory evaluation and consumer testing expertiseDeep knowledge of plant protein systems, emulsions, stabilizers, sweeteners, and flavor systems - highly desiredExperience with aseptic / UHT processing and co-manufacturing networks - is highly desiredKey CompetenciesStrong commercial and margin acumenTechnical depth in beverage systems preferredAgile decision-maker in fast-paced GPC environmentsCross-functional collaboratorData-driven and process-orientedStrategic thinker with exceptional disciplineSuccess MetricsInnovation-driven revenue growthOn-time, on-budget product launchesMargin improvement through formulation optimizationSuccessful plant scale-ups with minimal quality deviationsTeam engagement and retentionThis is a newly created position to support “white space” innovationsIf you’d like to hear more about this opportunity and others we are currently working on, please contact Kristine O’Sullivan at kosullivan@cps4jobs.com.JO: 5.13.26KO