Senior Beverage Scientist R&D Manager

Job Description
:
Senior Beverage Scientist R&D Manager

Location
:
Brooklyn, NY (On‑Site)

Reports To
:
Director of Operations

JAI Development is a food and beverage innovation lab based in Brooklyn, NY. We support emerging CPG brands by developing and commercializing high‑quality, scalable products through a combination of technical expertise, creative thinking, and operational execution. We partner with clients from concept through commercialization.

We’re seeking a Senior Beverage Scientist R&D Manager to join our Brooklyn‑based innovation team. This is a hands‑on, bench‑driven leadership role centered on ingredient research, formulation, and client‑facing food and beverage product development.

You will personally execute bench‑scale formulation work while also serving as the technical authority for formulation across the lab—overseeing, reviewing, and guiding the work of other formulators to ensure consistent technical quality, accuracy, and delivery. This role owns all laboratory output including scheduling projects, formulation standards, technical decision‑making, and project execution from concept through final handoff within a fast‑paced environment.

• Responsible for planning and executing all laboratory projects to the highest standard of quality and success.
• Lead day‑to‑day lab operations and projects from kickoff through completion, managing timelines, milestones, and technical deliverables.
• Maintain a high‑performing lab team by hiring, onboarding, managing, and developing staff, setting clear performance goals, and driving continuous improvement.
• Ensure all final deliverables are accurate, compliant, and aligned with defined quality standards, retaining accountability for all laboratory outputs.
• Conduct ingredient research and develop sourcing‑informed formulation strategies for food and beverage products.
• Formulate new products in line with scientific principles, nutritional targets, regulatory requirements, and client briefs, including iterative bench‑scale experimentation and prototype development.
• Troubleshoot formulation challenges and optimize functionality, stability, scalability, and sensory performance through hands‑on bench work and technical analysis.
• Engage directly with clients to define formulation goals, present technical progress, lead in‑lab tastings/visits, and incorporate feedback into development plans.
• Maintain accurate project documentation and ensure timely updates to internal systems and formulation databases for nutrition labeling and COGS analysis.
• Provide technical oversight by reviewing, approving, and refining formulations produced by the team and upholding formulation and documentation standards.
• Manage and mentor junior lab staff through hands‑on guidance, technical coaching, and clear prioritization of project workload in collaboration with lab leadership.
• Partner with sourcing to monitor ingredient inventory, support procurement, and maintain a clean, safe, and well‑organized lab environment, including routine equipment maintenance.

• Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Product Development, or related field
• 5+ years of hands‑on formulation experience in beverage product development
• 2+ years of managing direct reports
• Strong understanding of food technology, ingredient interactions, and functional systems
• Highly organized with strong analytical, documentation, and project management abilities
• Comfortable working in amanaging multiple projects in a deadline‑driven environment

• Experience supporting pilot or scale‑up runs (retort beverages a plus)
• Experience with dairy proteins and functional product development
• Familiarity with regulatory compliance, claim substantiation, and nutritional labeling

• Mission‑driven company helping good people create great products
• A collaborative, science‑forward team culture
• A dynamic environment where science, creativity, and strategy intersect
• Exposure to emerging brands and real‑world product impact
• Flexible PTO, competitive compensation, and growth opportunities
• Compensation is commensurate with experience, ranging from $100,000 to $115,000
• Relocation compensation may be available for the right candidate.