R&D Technician

Premier Nutrition; Emeryville (CA); Hybrid; USD 80,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Rock-climbing gym

Free onsite parking

Dogs in office

HQ Emeryville

Job summary

Premier Nutrition seeks a hands-on R&D professional to support Product Development information management, tool oversight, and day-to-day lab operations. You will ensure accurate labeling data, maintain templates, and assist in artwork approvals in a hybrid Emeryville environment.

The role emphasizes knowledge of product development, regulatory compliance, and strong computer skills, reporting to the Director of R&I. BS in Food Science is required, with a builder mindset and team focus.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated ability to work effectively in a team environment with strong communication.
• Thrives in a fast-paced setting and can manage shifting priorities.
• Detail-oriented with strong computer skills and data management mindset.

Responsibilities

• Maintain and update R&D tools and information; coordinate and provide training as needed.
• Audit R&D tools for compliance and best practices; identify new uses for tools.
• Maintain R&D templates, forms, and documents; archive/update records as needed.
• Assist label development, artwork approvals, and related deliverables; perform routine lab tasks.

Skills

Team collaboration

Communication skills

Fast-paced environment

Self-motivation

Detail-oriented

Data management

Builder mindset

Education

BS Food Science or related discipline

Tools

ISO 9001:2015 knowledge

Job description

Premier Nutrition Company (PNC) is one of the fastest-growing companies in the proactive wellness space showing clear leadership in the category of protein shakes and powders. We make the brands Premier Protein and Dymatize, and are part of our publicly traded holding company, BellRing Brands (NYSE: BRBR).

We have a simple, yet powerful, formula for our success, which we’ve been nailing since our founding in 1997. We start with an organization powered by our company purpose—Changing Lives with Good Energy. Then our purpose-driven people are given the support and autonomy to develop and grow. Next, we are super-intentional about designing a culture where everyone feels like they truly connect and belong, which is one of our five company core values. Purpose-driven, connected employees deliver amazing business results. And winning companies with remarkable people and thriving cultures attract and retain top talent, so the cycle becomes self-reinforcing or what we call our regenerative culture.

We don’t mind sharing our formula, since we believe the world would be a better place if more workplaces treated adults like adults and gave them the platform to do the best work of their lives—alongside some truly amazing colleagues. Why don’t more companies do this? It takes deep-in-your-bones conviction to your people, products, and purpose to pull it off. It also takes resisting the urge to try to control people, and instead, trusting them to make the right decisions. The result of our vibrant culture speaks for itself: We were certified as a Great Place to Work™ for the 9 th year-running in 2025. And we currently rank #8 on Fortune Magazine’s Best Workplaces in our category and were in the top 12 for each of the last 7 years.

We have a long list of ways we take care of our people, but here are some crowd-pleasers that our employees often say they love most: Year-round ½ day Fridays, in-office massages, free lunches & snacks, dogs in the office, culture of belonging celebrations, engaging in-office events like bring your kids to work day, 6% 401k match after 1 year, generous paid family leave regardless of gender, all positions bonus-eligible, company-wide volunteer days, company-matched charitable donations, no employee handbook, no dress code, coaching conversations instead of performance reviews, and walking meetings.

PNC seeks individuals who will flourish in this type of work environment and will add to our culture and help build this high-growth company for the next phase in our amazing journey. Does this sound like you? Then read on…

We believe in the power of mindset, and specifically what we call the Challenger Mindset. Do you take smart, bold risks, display relentless hunger, and see yourself as a builder? We’re looking for individuals who choose action over analysis paralysis—those who start before they feel completely ready, make calculated moves based on the best information available, and build momentum through decisive action rather than perfect planning. You should have an insatiable drive that keeps you agile and forward-thinking, always challenging assumptions, seeking new opportunities, and focusing on long-term impact over short-term wins. Above all, you’re a builder—someone who transforms the status quo, finds smarter, simpler, faster ways to get things done, and inspires others to do the same. #LI-HYBRID

The role you’re interested in…

This position will support the Research & Innovation team by creating, organizing, maintaining, and auditing key Product Development information using different tools and databases. The documentation and information accuracy and completeness are essential to label creation and critical to regulatory compliance. The candidate needs to exhibit a strong working knowledge of product or label development and a proficient computer skillset. This position will also support the day-to-day lab and pilot line operations and report to the Director of R&I.

The work environment…

So, what’s it like to work here? If you’re based in the greater Bay Area, you’ll walk into our Emeryville office each Tuesday morning and start the in-person portion of our hybrid work week at our weekly all-company meeting and find close to 200 of your colleagues, some sitting with their dogs, talking excitedly through the week ahead and watching a newer teammate tell their personal life and career journey followed by a quick update on any hot topics that might be relevant to the week ahead.

We are a dynamic, HYBRID workplace, with an expectation that all employees come into the office Tuesday through Thursday. We are very intentional about connecting in person for things like innovation, impromptu collaboration, having respectful challenges to get to better decisions, leadership role‑modeling, and culture building. Great work cultures are built on stories about what great looks like in practice, and great stories during virtual meetings just don’t happen. The expected pay scale for this role is $80k to $90k, which may vary based on relevant experience, qualifications, geographic area (if applicable), and internal equity for the role.

At the beginning of 2026, we moved into our massive modern 133,000 square foot headquarters in Emeryville, California, complete with spacious personal workspaces, gym with rock‑climbing wall, a café, free onsite parking, tons of greenery, and many transportation options.

You’re excited about this opportunity because your time will be filled with…

R&D PD Tools Oversight: 20% of your time

• Maintain and keep R&D tools and info up to date
• Own system training- coordinate and/or provide training for the department and new team members as needed for new tools or processes.
• Routinely audit R&D tools to ensure internal compliance and standard practices.
• Identify opportunities to leverage tools in new ways.

R&D PD Documentation: 30% of your time

• Maintain and update R&D templates, forms and documents as assigned.
• Routinely audit R&D documentation to ensure internal compliance and identify best practices.
• Apply Record and knowledge Management principles to determine the life cycle of documents. Archives and/or inactivate records as needed. Requests for updated information as needed.

R&D Lab and PD support: 50% of your time

• Support label development and claim substantiation process, artwork approvals (e.g., packaging change artwork) and other deliverables as assigned.
• Perform routine tasks in lab or pilot line area per SOP or guidelines

What are we looking for?

Education:

• Required: BS Food Science or related discipline.
• Preferred: Advanced degree in a related field.

Experience:

Required:

• Demonstrated ability to work effectively in a team environment through excellent communication skills (both written and verbal), interpersonal and influencing skills.
• Ability to thrive in a fast‑paced environment and manage multiple shifting priorities.
• Self‑motivated, organized, and able to meet tight deadlines.
• Detail-oriented and excellent computer skills are a must.
• Possesses passion and a builder’s mindset for data management and creating different processes, reports, and presentations.

Preferred:

• Ability to communicate cross‑functionally with internal leaders and external vendors.
• Basic knowledge of Quality Management System (ISO 9001:2015)

Skills and mindset:

Required:

• Demonstrated ability to work effectively in a team environment through excellent communication skills (both written and verbal), interpersonal and influencing skills.
• Ability to thrive in a fast‑paced environment and manage multiple shifting priorities.
• Self‑motivated, organized, and able to meet tight deadlines.
• Detail-oriented and excellent computer skills are a must.
• Possesses passion and a builder’s mindset for data management and creating different processes, reports, and presentations.

Preferred:

• Ability to communicate cross‑functionally with internal leaders and external vendors.
• Basic knowledge of Quality Management System (ISO 9001:2015)

What the work is like:

• You’ll spend a significant portion of your day working on a computer, reviewing data, creating reports, communicating with partners, and joining virtual and in-person meetings
• This role requires frequent and ongoing use of a keyboard, mouse, phone, and other office technology
• You’ll regularly navigate multiple systems at once, analyze detailed information, and shift between competing priorities and deadlines
• You’ll communicate regularly with team members, cross-functional partners, external partners, and leaders through meetings, Outlook based email, messaging platforms such as Microsoft Teams, and presentations
• Occasional movement around the office may be required for meetings, collaboration, and team activities
• May occasionally lift or move office materials weighing up to 10 pounds

So, if after reading through this long list you’re thinking—I’m not sure I meet 100% of these requirements, should I still apply? YES—if you embody a growth mindset, see challenges as opportunities to develop, and find innovative ways to get the real work that matters done, you sound like our kind of candidate!

The 5 capabilities or mindsets most relevant to this role:

• Be a builder by creating for the future
• Embody a strategic mindset
• Drive and own results
• Bring people along by providing context and cascading information; share openly and inclusively
• Emotional intelligence— awareness and regulation of emotional impact on others

You will thrive here and may just do the best work of your life if…

• You want to be an integral part of shaping an amazing work culture and being a culture-add
• You know when good enough is good enough, or the rare times when execution needs to be flawless
• You can be flexible in your approach and abandon past practices if they don’t make sense
• You like to get sh*t, I mean—stuff done
• You can do periods of focused, deep work on projects that drive the business forward

This may not be your ideal next career move if…

• You like hierarchy, and command and control management
• You like things to not change much (we suggest the elevator business for that)
• Dealing with ambiguity or experimentation is not your jam
• You want to work in your own silo‑of‑excellence
• You prefer engaging with your camera off, better yet, on mute, and demonstrating excellence through email
• You tend to chase whatever shiny object presents itself during the day instead of real results through focus

Here’s the deal with our not-so-standard, um…standard interview process because we know you are the curious type, which is why you’re still reading this…

• Quick 30 min phone chat with a high energy member of our Talent Acquisition team to do a quick overview of your background and answer any burning questions you have
• Team interviews are kept to a minimum to foster a more efficient, candidate-friendly process (too many interviewers yields little value and drags out the process for you—and who wants that, right?):
  • A short series of in-person or video interviews in a 1:1 setting; these are usually with the hiring manager, one or two other team members, and a person from another team to get broader perspectives (note: we don’t do panel interviews because they don’t give interviewers a chance to ask you unique questions, and we assign interviewers different roles so we’re probing different capabilities)
• A case study or job task to simulate what you’d actually be doing in the role (since your job is not actually to be interviewed for a living, why is that the thing companies rely on so much?) Yes, there will be a small panel for this one so you don’t have to do it more than once, and yes, they might ask you some kind yet probing questions at the end after the raucous applause stops.
• Once your interview concludes, the team will meet for an in-depth consultative process to ensure we are hiring the right person for the right job. Interviewers must come in with a strong yes or no vote beforehand to avoid groupthink with supporting reasons. The collective thoughts on your candidacy will be discussed in an environment of safety to challenge ideas respectfully, debate. and be open to all important qualifications of the candidates. A trained, disinterested bias blocker will be present to help mitigate bias so the team can make a sound hiring decision. The moment of truth arrives when the hiring manager makes the big decision. If you nailed the interviews and the case study was brilliant, guess what? The offer is all yours! And the ball is in your court.

Premier Nutrition provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, status as a covered veteran and any other category protected under applicable federal, state, provincial and local laws.