Sr. Product Innovator, R&D

Otis Spunkmeyer, LLC; Santa Ana (CA); Hybrid; USD 83,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Aspire Bakeries LLC is seeking a Sr. Product Innovator, R&D, to join our Santa Ana, CA team. You will lead product development from concept through full-scale manufacturing, delivering consistent, high-quality foods that meet customer expectations.

This role requires onsite work in Santa Ana four days per week. The position offers a salary range of $83,000–$110,000 annually and requires a Bachelor’s degree in Food Science with 3–5 years of industrial food development experience.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Food Science or related field.
• 3–5 years of experience in industrial food development.
• Strong English communication skills (verbal and written).
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
• Working knowledge of SAP systems.
• Ability to meet physical requirements, including standing for extended periods and lifting up to 50 pounds.

Responsibilities

• Lead product development and ensure successful commercialization from concept through full-scale manufacturing.
• Deliver high-quality products that meet customer expectations.
• Collaborate with project managers to maintain data for samples and testing.
• Support line trials and manufacturing transfer to customer.
• Adhere to NPD/BRC guidelines and GMPs.

Skills

Strong English communication

Microsoft Office

SAP systems

Mathematical skills (fractions/dec

Physical requirements: lift up to 50

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Food Science or related field

Job description

We’re excited to share that Aspire Bakeries, formerly ARYZTA North America, is now owned by Lindsay Goldberg (LG), a private investment firm that manages over $17 billion in assets. LG has ownership interests in many businesses, including other food companies, and has a proven track record of investing in successful ventures through close partnership with each companies’ management.

On a day-to-day basis, little will change with the change in ownership. We will continue to partner with most of North America’s leading restaurants, retailers, and institutions to deliver high quality, delicious foods across the region. What is different is we now have one of the leading investment firms in the world to help us drive our strategy and fuel our growth.

If this sounds like a journey you’d like to be a part of, take a look at our Careers Page as this is where you’ll find all of our current job opportunities.

If you don’t find a position that fits what you’re looking for, come back and visit this Careers Page. You can also join our Talent Network to hear about new opportunities at Aspire Bakeries.

If you find a position that would be a great fit for someone in your network, feel free to send the job opportunity their way.

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Hungry for a career that’s as rewarding as it is delicious?

We’re looking for hard-working people who will bring integrity, creativity, and a passion for excellence to everything they do - whether that’s on the bakery floor, in the office, or supporting customers. In return, we offer a workplace culture built on care, ownership, and growth - where your contributions matter and your career can rise as high as our bread loaves!

With 13 commercial bakeries across North America and a reputation as an industry leader, Aspire Bakeries is rising together with our people and our customers to be the best all-around bakery solution. If you’re ready to grow with us, we’d love to hear from you

Why You’ll Love Working At Aspire Bakeries

• Culture – Our culture thrives on collaboration, diversity, and a shared passion for excellence. We support team members, empower growth, and encourage everyone to bring their authentic selves to work.
• Health & Wellness – Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, plus company-paid life insurance and additional voluntary options to fit your needs.
• Work-Life Balance – Paid parental leave, generous paid time off, and holidays so you can recharge and spend time on what matters most.
• Financial Security – A competitive 401(k) with immediate company match, plus short- and long-term disability coverage for peace of mind.
• Growth & Development – Opportunities to build skills, grow your career, and develop expertise through Aspire Bakeries’ learning and development programs.
• Flexibility & Support – HSA and FSA plans to help you manage everyday expenses.
• Recognition & Rewards – Performance incentive plans that celebrate achievements across sales, bakery performance, and individual contributions.

About the Role

We are seeking a Sr. Product Innovator, R&D to join our team at our Santa Ana, CA Bakery. As a Sr. Product Innovator, you will be accountable for leading product development and ensuring successful commercialization from concept through full-scale manufacturing, delivering consistent, high-quality products that meet customer expectations. This role requires you to be onsite in Santa Ana four days per week, giving you hands‑on collaboration with the team and daily exposure to the pulse of the business.

Salary Range: $83,000 – $110,000

Core Accountabilities (What You’ll be Doing)

• Demonstrates a strong passion for food and innovation
• Ability to read and understand a basic formula
• Identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner, gather and analyses information skillfully, develops alternative solutions
• Responsible for helping ensure a seamless transition and sustainable quality of product from bench top to manufacturing (through line trials) to customer
• Demonstrates expertise or willingness to learn in R&D equipment use and settings
• Communicate with project managers to accurately maintain data generated in preparation and completion of requested samples
• Demonstrates growth mindset in willingness to continue education with workshops, trainings, specific subject classes, etc.
• Adherence to NPD/BRC guidelines/GMPs
• Ability to travel to line trials or customer driven ideation sessions
• Regularly required to climb, stand or walk for extended periods of time
• Use a computer keyboard and monitor more than 25% of total work time
• The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds

Minimum Qualifications (What You Bring to the Table)

• Bachelor’s degree in Food Science or related field
• 3–5 years of experience in industrial food development
• Strong English communication skills (verbal and written)
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
• Working knowledge of SAP systems
• Solid mathematical skills, including fractions and decimals
• Ability to meet physical requirements, including standing for extended periods and lifting up to 50 pounds

Preferred Qualifications (Extra Ingredients for Success)

• Additional culinary education or training
• Experience in culinary or product development environments
• Fluency in Spanish
• Experience working on line trials or customer-facing innovation sessions
• Demonstrated commitment to continuous learning and professional development

Aspire Bakeries LLC values the contribution each Team Member brings to our organization. The final determination of a successful candidate’s starting pay will vary based on a number of factors, including, but not limited to location, shift, education, skill, and experience within the job or the industry. The pay scale listed for this position is generally for candidates that meet the specified qualifications and requirements listed in this specific job description. Additional pay may be determined for those candidates that exceed these specified qualifications and requirements. We provide a competitive compensation package that recognizes your experience, credentials, and education alongside a robust benefits program to meet your needs. For union-represented postings, wage rates and ranges are governed by applicable collective bargaining agreements.

Aspire Bakeries is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other legally protected characteristic. We do not use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to screen, assess, or select applicants.