Director, Research & Development

Bigelow Tea; Fairfield (CT); On-site; USD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Bigelow Tea, located in Fairfield, Connecticut, is seeking a Director of Research and Development who will lead the product development team. This role focuses on the development of new products and improvement of existing offerings, ensuring they meet high standards of quality and consistency.

The ideal candidate should have over 10 years of experience in product development within consumer packaged goods, especially in beverages. A Bachelor's degree in Food Science or a related field is required, with an advanced degree preferred.

Qualifications

• 10–15+ years in product development within CPG, ideally in beverages.
• Strong track record in manufacturing-driven environments.
• Experience with internal manufacturing teams and co-packers.

Responsibilities

• Lead development of new and existing products from concept to scale-up.
• Translate innovation briefs into technically sound products.
• Ensure products meet Bigelow’s high standards for quality.

Skills

Product development expertise

Manufacturing knowledge

Team leadership

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Engineering, or related field

Advanced degree preferred

Job description

Fairfield, Connecticut
Fairfield, CT 06825, USA

Description

Bigelow Tea is the number one specialty tea company in the United States. We are a family‑owned and operated business and a Certified B Corporation. Being a certified B Corp officially recognizes a commitment that has been part of the company’s DNA since it was founded 80 years ago. Our purpose has always been about much more than making profits. We are committed to good citizenship, ethical business practices, accountability, transparency, protecting the environment, sustainability and supporting our communities. We pride ourselves in caring about each and every one of our employees. We have a long‑term outlook and are constantly working to create an environment that inspires people to make positive contributions every day. Bigelow is currently looking for a select, talented individual, that shares our values, to join our growing team.

Job Title: Director, Research and Development

Work Location: Fairfield
Division/Department: Marketing
Reports to: Vice President, Marketing and R&D
Status: Full‑time | Exempt

Position Summary

At Bigelow Tea, product is at the heart of everything we do. The Director of Product Development will lead how we bring that commitment to life, evolving our core tea offerings while helping expand into new usage occasions and consumers.

This role is responsible for turning ideas into exceptional products, grounded in strong formulation, deep manufacturing understanding, and a relentless focus on quality. Working closely with Marketing, this leader will provide critical product and technical input to shape innovation, while owning the development and scale‑up of products.

Equally important, this person will build and lead a team that operates with curiosity, accountability, and pride in craft.

Key Responsibilities

Product Development

• Lead the development of new and existing products from concept through scale‑up, ensuring they meet Bigelow’s high standards for quality, taste, and consistency
• Translate innovation briefs into well‑developed, technically sound products
• Provide practical, experience‑based input into product concepts based on feasibility, ingredients, and performance
• Ensure every product reflects the Bigelow brand—thoughtful, high‑quality, and consumer‑focused

Core Product Craft & Optimization

• Continuously elevate the quality and performance of Bigelow’s core tea bag portfolio
• Lead improvements in flavor consistency, ingredient quality, and packaging performance
• Identify opportunities to enhance value while protecting the integrity of the product
• Bring a hands‑on, detail‑oriented approach to product excellence

Manufacturing & Scale‑Up

• Bring deep manufacturing knowledge into product development decisions from the start
• Lead scale‑up from bench to production, ensuring products are reliable and repeatable
• Partner closely with internal operations and external co‑packers to develop products that work in real‑world conditions
• Lead plant trials and solve problems proactively to ensure strong outcomes
• Build, coach, and develop a team of product developers, many early in their careers
• Create an environment where people feel ownership of their work and pride in the outcome
• Encourage curiosity, experimentation, and continuous improvement
• Set clear expectations and hold the team accountable to high standards

Ways of Working

• Establish clear, effective approaches to product development that balance creativity with discipline
• Bring structure and clarity to how work gets done—without slowing momentum
• Ensure strong execution across multiple projects, with clear ownership and follow‑through

Partnership Across the Business

• Work closely with Marketing to provide product insight and feasibility input as ideas are shaped
• Partner with Supply Chain, Quality, and Regulatory to ensure products are developed responsibly and effectively
• Act as the bridge between concept and product reality

Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Engineering, or related field
• Advanced degree preferred

Experience

• 10–15+ years in product development within CPG, ideally in beverages or adjacent categories
• Strong track record of developing and improving products in manufacturing‑driven environments
• Experience working with both internal manufacturing teams and co‑packers
• Experience in tea, coffee, or similar categories preferred

What Sets You Apart

• You bring both craft and practicality—you care deeply about the product and know how to make it work at scale
• You’re as comfortable in a plant as you are in a development lab
• You develop people, not just products
• You create clarity and accountability without overcomplicating things
• You’re energized by the opportunity to build, improve, and elevate

Travel Requirements

• Travel as required for product development, customer meetings, research and internal collaboration. Up to 25%.

Bigelow Company Overview

Based in Fairfield, CT and 100% family and woman‑owned, the Bigelow Tea Company pioneered the specialty tea category over 80 years ago. The third‑generation company takes pride in its heritage and successful growth from a one‑product, entrepreneurial venture into America’s #1 leading tea company brand.

Bigelow Tea is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Bigelow Tea does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, non‑disqualifying physical or mental disability, national origin, veteran status, or any other basis covered by appropriate law.

Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.