Associate R&D Manager

Dole Packaged Foods; Westlake Village (CA); Hybrid; USD 75,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Dole Packaged Foods is seeking an Associate Manager to support the R&D team in pushing innovation across core product areas, from ingredients to packaging. The role emphasizes collaboration with cross-functional teams in a hybrid California office, with three days on site in Westlake Village.

You will manage projects, contribute to feasibility assessments, and help drive cost-efficient packaging and formulation development in pursuit of the company’s nutrition mission.

Qualifications

• 2–4 years of experience in R&D, Innovation, Product Development, QA, or similar roles.
• Experience in product development, formulation, and packaging.
• Knowledge of GMP, HACCP, and GFSI quality systems.
• Ability to work cross-functionally with manufacturing, marketing, sales, supply chain, and external partners.

Responsibilities

• Support the R&D team in delivering the innovation pipeline in partnership with cross functional teams.
• Manage assigned projects through the project management / stage gate process, delivering on defined scope, timelines, and objectives.
• Provide technical input on product feasibility, including make vs buy recommendations.
• Support management of third party product and packaging development partners.
• Collaborate with Procurement to engage third party manufacturing partners.
• Support packaging development and testing, including learning packaging models and testing methods.
• Own project level cost of goods targets and develop cost savings opportunities.
• Support specification development and maintenance for formulations and packaging.
• Contribute to manufacturing trials and learnings related to formulation, process, packaging.

Skills

Product development

Specification writing

Process development

Packaging fundamentals

Quality systems (GMP/HACCP/GFSI)

Cost management

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Food Science/Food Technology/Engineering or related

Job description

Purpose

Dole Packaged Foods is a purpose led organization that is a champion of accessible fruit nutrition and builds a brighter future for people through the goodness of fruit.

Dole Packaged Foods is a purpose led organization that is a champion of accessible fruit nutrition and builds a brighter future for people through the goodness of fruit.

At Dole, our culture is uniquely driven by core Values. Our commitment to these Values transforms our work into a meaningful journey toward a brighter future together. Here, you'll be part of a respectful, inclusive culture that deeply values our colleagues, customers, and global communities. We strive for excellence, empowering each other to confidently overcome challenges, continuously learn, and achieve world-class results. Guided by unwavering integrity, our actions consistently reflect our commitment to always doing what's right, fostering lasting trust and strong relationships. Through a spirit of collaboration, we cultivate positivity, generosity, and genuine teamwork, enabling collective success toward our One Dole Purpose. Our innovative spirit leads directly to meaningful outcomes and business success.

The Associate Manager is responsible for supporting the R&D team in delivering innovation that will contribute to volume growth in all potential channels and that will help us realize our mission of providing access to health and nutrition for more than one billion people.

All Our Innovations Are Based On Our Beliefs, Including

• Nutrition: Fruit-forward product portfolio
• Environment: Consumer-facing packaging designed to be sustainable by 2030

The innovation funnel will include a combination of projects designed to sustain growth of our “core” products (ingredients, beverages, frozen etc.) but may also include expanding into new categories identified as “white space” opportunities by the business.

This role provides flexibility to work in a hybrid environment of home and our Westlake Village, CA office. (Hybrid is defined as 3 times per week in the office).

Responsibilities

Primary Accountabilities:

• Support the R&D team in the delivery of the innovation pipeline in partnership with cross functional teams.
• Manage assigned projects (L0–L3) through the project management / stage gate process, delivering on defined scope, timelines, and objectives.
• Provide technical input on product feasibility, including recommendations for internal (make) versus external (buy) development approaches.
• Support management of third party product and packaging development partners, where required, to develop, evaluate, and test products.
• Work collaboratively with Procurement to support selection and engagement of appropriate third party manufacturing partners.
• Support product, process, and packaging development activities, including learning and applying packaging models, testing methodologies, and packaging fundamentals.
• Own project level COG targets, supporting development of cost assumptions and identifying project level cost savings opportunities under guidance.
• Support specification development and maintenance for formulations and packaging.
• Contribute to manufacturing trials and support learnings related to formulation, process, and packaging performance.

Other duties as assigned

Qualifications

Experience, Knowledge, & Skills You Bring:

• 2–4 years of experience in R&D, Innovation, Product Development, QA, or similar roles.
• Working knowledge of:
• Product development (formulation, ingredient selection, stability testing, etc.)
• Specification writing and management (formulation and packaging)
• Process development (manufacturing capabilities, technologies, equipment selection, contract manufacturing)
• Packaging fundamentals and models, including testing concepts and performance requirements
• Industry standard quality systems (e.g., GMP, HACCP, GFSI)
• Exposure to COG development and project level cost management.
• Demonstrated ability to support delivery of innovation into the marketplace.
• Ability to work cross functionally across manufacturing, marketing, sales, supply chain, and external partners.

What You'll Need To Succeed

• Passionate about a purpose driven career
• Passionate about collaborating respectfully in diverse and inclusive team environments
• Proactively seeks feedback and continuously improves work quality
• Consistently adheres to ethical standards and maintains transparency
• Actively contributes to achieving collective team goals

Education & Certification:

• Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Food Technology, Engineering, or science-based equivalent is required.

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to sit and use the computer for extended periods of time; ability to answer phones and use a variety of office equipment; ability to lift 15 pounds and reach overhead.

Travel Requirements:

• Occasional travel may be required (10-15%)

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, sex, color, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, or on the basis of disability.

For Jobs Based In California

Hiring Pay Scale: $75,000 to $90,000

Dole Packaged Foods is committed to paying our Associates fairly and equitably. The pay rate offered will consider a wide range of factors, including but not limited to experience, education, accomplishments, and location. Pay scales are subject to review on a regular basis and will be updated as appropriate.