Product Developer

TalkingRain Beverage Company; Washington; On-site; USD 104,000 - 129,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Vacation time

Parental leave

Relocation available

401k with match

Gym access

Job summary

Talking Rain Beverage Company is seeking a Principal Product Developer to drive end-to-end beverage development from concept to commercialization at our Preston, WA location. You will lead projects with ownership and collaboration across Marketing, Insights, Operations, and Quality teams.

The role requires 5+ years in beverage product development, a BS in Food Science or related field, and strong expertise in flavors and ingredient functionality.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of product development experience in the beverage industry.
• Bachelor’s degree in Food Science or related field preferred; equivalent experience.
• Strong working knowledge of food science principles, ingredient functionality and processing.
• Thrives in a fast-paced environment with project management skills.
• Experience with low/no sugar and functional beverages.
• Ability to travel 25-30% to support trials and vendor visits.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end product development from benchtop through commercialization.
• Develop finished formulas and rapid prototypes using ingredients and processing knowledge.
• Manage multiple projects across divisions with external resources.
• Ensure food safety and SQF practices are followed throughout development.

Skills

Beverage product development

Project management

Flavor development

Food science knowledge

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s in Food Science

Job description

WHO WE ARE

We’re Talking Rain Beverage Company, we create better-for-you beverages featuring great flavors and colors from natural sources. We live life in full flavor and believe the world should too. We create connections with every sip of our iconic Sparkling Ice, Sparkling Ice Caffeine, Sparkling Ice Energy, and Popwell. When it comes to success, we know we’re only as strong as our team. That's why we're an equal-opportunity employer. We value diversity and practice inclusivity, hiring great people who enhance our company. Our Rain Makers are our most important asset. That’s why we invest in them with benefits and development opportunities that reflect just how much we value them.

WHAT YOU'LL DO

Our Research & Development team is proud of where we’ve been, but more interested in where we’re going. This team drives creativity, growing our portfolio of products. Here, you’ll drive product development and innovation, by leveraging your curiosity, technical knowledge of formulation, and food and beverage experience. You will be leading projects from idea to commercialization, with the sense of ownership, creativity, curiosity precision, and collaboration. Reports to: Technical Innovation Manager Direct Reports: N/A Location: Onsite at our Preston, WA office 5 days a week *While we strive to offer flexibility, this role also requires it. There may be times when you're expected to come onsite outside your typical in-office days to support special projects, team events, or other business needs.

Annual Bonus Potential: 7% - Eligibility is based on the company hitting annual financial targets.
Salary: $104,000 - $129,000 Note: New hires typically receive between minimum and midpoint, however, we may go slightly higher based on experience, internal equity and market.

Participate in the identification, design, development, creation, and testing of product prototypes Drive and lead end-to-end product development projects from benchtop through commercialization and product reassessment. Use knowledge of ingredient functionality, processing parameters, and flavor functionality to develop finished formulas and rapid prototypes to test with consumer Manages multiple projects of various degrees of difficulty as well as more complex and long-term projects that require sustained involvement and coordination skills across several divisions and includes multiple outside resources. Collaborate with Marketing, Insights, Operations, Procurement, Quality and Engineering in the Product Development process Responsible for creating design of experiments, and leading and conducting trials required for product validation during the development phase. Compiles, provides and communicates data clearly in relation to moving products to the commercialization phase Develops initial cost of goods, specifications of process control and finished specification. Identify and lead opportunities to plan, formulate, and research the development of new products. Creatively solve technical problems in a rapid, efficient manner. Work with vendors and ingredient suppliers to develop product solutions, including optimal solutions for process implementation and improvement, while also building an external innovation network. Proactively identifies, initiates, and leads optimization opportunities for formulation and production - resulting in improved quality, efficiency, and reduced costs. Partner with our supplier and co-packer networks to deliver meaningful impact to the company (e.g., cost reduction, innovation, etc.) and to facilitate knowledge transfer and decision making. Analyze and present project results outlining and recommending the next steps to internal stakeholders. Ability to take initiative and prioritize tasks; good time-management, organizational, problem-prevention and problem-solving skills. Ensure food safety, quality, and SQF practices are always followed, notifying immediate manager of any food safety and/or quality issues. Complete other responsibilities as assigned.

We create connections with every sip. And we’ve found a lot of value in in-person connections! As a young, fast-growing company, we’re still creating and refining the systems that will fuel our future growth. Onsite presence is beyond collaboration, and here is why onsite presence matters: Drive Innovation through Proximity: Face-to-face sparks those "aha" moments that fuel better solutions, especially when collaborating with Rain Makers in Brand Innovation, Supply Chain, and Quality Commercialization departments in a rapidly evolving business environment. Reinforces culture and shared accountability– Working side-by-side fosters trust, shared ownership, and a stronger connection to our mission. Creates agility– The speed at which we need to adapt to market changes makes onsite coordination with multiple departmentsa competitive advantage.

WHAT YOU BRING

• 5+ years of product development experience, ideally in the beverage industry.
• Bachelor’s degree in Food Science or related field preferred; equivalent experience.
• Strong working knowledge of food science principles, chemical composition of food and ingredients, ingredient functionality, food manufacturing and package development processes and ingredient functionality.
• Thrives in a fast-paced environment with the opportunity to learn and make an impact quickly.
• Strong Project Management Skills.
• Experience with low/no sugar and functional beverages.
• Strong Experience and understanding of flavors.
• Expert ability to multi-task and contribute to multiple projects at the same time.
• Creates increased benefits and successes through collaboration and by sharing ideas and resources.
• Creative, proactive self-starter who is organized with a strong attention to detail.
• Foodies are highly preferred.
• Ability to accommodate a flexible schedule, occasionally working evenings and weekends as needed for special assignments.
• Ability to travel 25-30% to support trials, vendor visits, co-manufacturer visits, etc.

WHAT WE OFFER

• Three Weeks of Vacation per calendar year.
• And that’s just to start! Spend some time with us, and you’ll accrue an additional week every few years, depending on your exempt status!
• FMLA qualifying Rain Makers receive six weeks of paid parental leave.
• Parents get to spend time at home bonding with their new addition (whether it arrives by birth, fostering, or adoption).
• For birth mothers, additional time is provided for medical leave.
• Depending on the state in which you reside, additional time may also be available for parents who do not require medical leave.
• Flexibility Stipend. For eligible Rain Makers, spend this extra monthly stipend as you wish, but know it’s intended to contribute to things like your phone, internet or other business uses while working remotely or needs outside of normal working hours.
• Relocation: Relocation Available (when available)
• Onsite and Hybrid Rain Makers: Get paid to carpool! Drive to work with another Rain Maker every week at least 2X a week and receive mileage reimbursement.
• 401k with Immediate Vesting. With matched contributions and investment customization, we'll help build a plan to reach your goals.
• Fitness Reimbursements. We're all about going the extra mile, so we provide reimbursements for community events and competitions like fun runs, triathlons, and cycling tours.
• Rain Makers may also enjoy access to our on-site gym in Preston complete with a personal trainer 2 days per week.
• Medical/Dental/Vision. Not only do we offer it, but our plans are excellent and flexible to your needs. And one is even free for our Rain Makers!
• Vehicle Program – Field Sales Specialist – Mileage is reimbursed at the IRS rate
• Field Sales Managers and Market Managers – Company car or vehicle stipend included!
• Regional Sales Managers and Sales Directors – We use the leader in vehicle reimbursement solutions, Motus. This program provides a monthly fixed and variable rate that adheres to IRS guidelines for the business use of personal vehicles.
• Please note, eligibility for our full benefits package is based on an average of 30+ hours per week in regular (not temporary) positions.

OUR CULTURE AND VALUES

At Talking Rain... We are Accountable for Results We make clear commitments, follow through, and take responsibility for outcomes. We trust each other to do great work and support one another when things get tough. We Innovate with Curiosity Curiosity fuels everything we do, and innovation is core to who we are. This drives our competitive edge. Rain Makers ask questions, test ideas, and move with intention. We don’t wait for perfect. We try, learn, adjust, and grow. We Embrace Change Growth requires adaptability. We are resilient, agile, and energized by what’s next. Those who thrive at Talking Rain are excited by momentum, not intimidated by it. We Are One Team We’re better together, and our differences make us stronger. We’re all about diverse perspectives, real relationships, and authenticity at work. Ideas are welcome and encouraged. We compete externally and align internally, engaging the right people and ideas to move the business forward. Collaboration here is active, not passive. We commit. We deliver. Together.

Progressive and sustainable, Talking Rain is always looking at what's next. We're experiencing double-digit growth, primarily driven by Sparkling Ice, America's #1 Sparkling Water. We're constantly innovating. We fail fast and use what we learn to produce incredible results. All of this is possible because of our Rain Makers. This diverse group of people show up every day with an insatiable curiosity and a drive to get things done—and we can always trust them to make it happen. Things move fast around here, which is why we're so thankful for the flexibility they bring. Above all, our Rain Makers are just an approachable, empathetic bunch—because creating connections is at the core of everything we do. Our people are our most important asset. That's why we invest in them with benefits and development opportunities that reflect just how much we value them.

We've come a long way since we were founded in 1987 by two men in a bar. If you're looking for your new home, a place where you'll be empowered to make an impact, visit our website to learn more about the people and events that helped form the company we are today and will be tomorrow.