Senior Manager, R&D
David Protein · New York City · $170,000–$200,000 (stated in the posting)
The Company:
Medici Brands is the parent company of David, Epogee, HallPass and several emerging brands launching in the near future. Medici Brands is led by CEO Peter Rahal, Co-founder and former CEO of RXBAR, and is focused on building brands that break the tradeoffs between taste and nutrition that have classically existed.
Role Overview:
Reporting to the Director of R&D, we are looking for a Senior Manager, R&D to lead and be responsible for a portfolio of SKUs end-to-end - from concept through pilot, scale-up, and post-launch iteration - while managing a small bench team of Food Scientists.
This is a working-manager role. You'll still be hands-on at the bench for the hardest formulation problems, and you'll be responsible for prioritization, mentorship, and cross-functional delivery across your product line.
Formulation & Technical Ownership
- Lead formulation, testing, and iteration across an assigned product line, applying deep working knowledge of proteins, high-intensity and rare sweeteners, fibers, binding systems, and shelf-life kinetics.
- Diagnose and resolve finished-product failures - texture drift, binding failure, flavor instability, processing defects - with speed and technical precision.
- Own the technical relationship with co-manufacturers during scale-up and ongoing production, including trial planning and troubleshooting on the plant floor.
Team Leadership
- Manage and develop 2–3 Food Scientists / Senior Food Scientists - setting priorities, reviewing experimental design, and coaching on technical rigor.
- Build project ownership models so each scientist can run a workstream independently while staying aligned to portfolio priorities.
- Instill a culture of creativity and experimentation on the team — carving out space for scientists to explore unconventional ingredient pairings and formats, and championing bold ideas even when they carry technical risk.
Innovation Pipeline
- Stay current on ingredient technologies and processing methods relevant to high-protein systems - precision fermentation proteins, novel sweeteners, encapsulation — and bring forward recommendations for the innovation roadmap.
- Lead strategic research initiatives that look 12–24 months ahead of the current portfolio, scoping exploratory workstreams around emerging ingredient technologies and translating early-stage findings into actionable innovation bets.
- Define and prioritize the R&D research agenda in partnership with the R&D leadership team, balancing near-term product fixes against longer-horizon platform-building work.
- Build and maintain relationships with ingredient suppliers, co-manufacturers, and academic/industry contacts to keep the team plugged into where science is heading, not just where it's been.
Cross-Functional & Regulatory
- Partner with Regulatory/QA to ensure ingredient selection, labeling, and claims are compliant with FDA nutrition labeling requirements and emerging sweetener/fat-replacer guidance.
- Work with Supply Chain and Procurement on ingredient sourcing, cost targets, and supplier qualification.
Requirements
- 10+ years of experience in food science, R&D, or product development within food or CPG, including 4+ years directly managing scientists.
- Deep hands-on formulation experience in high-protein systems (bars, dairy/frozen, or confection).
- Track record taking products from bench through commercial scale with a co-manufacturer.
- Comfort operating with startup pace and ambiguity - this is not a role for someone who needs a mature, fully built-out process.
Benefits
- Full-time, in-person role
- Travel expectations up to 25% (manufacturing, suppliers, etc.)
- Salary: $170,000 – $200,000 per year, inclusive of cash bonus based on attainment of company targets
- Company equity opportunity
- 100% covered Health, Vision, Dental Insurance
- 401(k) with 4% match
- Additional perks, such as covered gym expenses
- Substantial and required PTO