at Gummi World in Tempe, Arizona, United States
Job Description
POSITION SUMMARY
The Director of Product Development is a founding, hands-on leader who owns Gummi World’s product innovation pipeline from concept through commercialization. This role leads the development of great-tasting, consistently manufacturable dietary supplement and confectionery nutraceutical products – starch and starchless gummies, marshmallows, and other confectionery formats, with capsules and powders a plus – while building the processes, partnerships, and team that will scale with the company. This is a highly visible, customer-facing role: the ideal candidate is as comfortable running a flavor tasting or troubleshooting a batch on the floor as they are presenting to a client or leading a cross-functional strategy meeting. Success requires strong technical depth, sound business judgment, and the emotional intelligence to build trust with clients, suppliers, and internal teams alike. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES+ Own the end-to-end product innovation process, from concept development through formulation, testing, and commercialization.
+ Lead formulation and development of starch and starchless gummies, marshmallows, and other confectionery formats (e.g., chews, jellies, pastilles), with capsules and powders a plus, ensuring products are delicious, safe, and consistently manufacturable at scale.
+ Be hands-on in the lab and on the production floor – running trials, troubleshooting batches, and working directly alongside R&D and manufacturing teams to solve real-time problems.
+ Serve as a primary technical and strategic point of contact for clients, building strong, trust-based relationships and clearly translating client needs into actionable development plans.
+ Lead product tastings and sensory evaluations, analyzing and recording results in a rigorous, data-driven manner to guide formulation decisions.
+ Collaborate closely with the Regulatory team on formulations and claim substantiation to ensure compliance and marketability.
+ Maintain and continuously build out the branded ingredient and raw material database, researching ingredients based on functional and physical properties.
+ Partner with Quality on new product specifications, change controls, and label initiation forms.
+ Scope and evaluate secondary contract manufacturers to match and scale existing formulations.
+ Forge and maintain relationships with key suppliers and the purchasing team to stay ahead of ingredient, technology, and packaging trends.
+ Guide and mentor junior R&D and product development team members as the team scales.
+ Bring a solutions-first, customer-facing mindset to every stage of development – identifying obstacles early and driving practical, timely resolutions.
+ Represent Gummi World’s innovation capabilities in client and prospect meetings, building confidence and long-term partnerships.
+ Contribute to innovation, troubleshooting, and brainstorming for future platform growth in key consumer need-states.
+ Maintain professional and technical expertise through regulatory training, industry publications, professional networks, and relevant societies.
+ Support broader company growth initiatives, acting as a strategic partner to Business Development and executive leadership.
QUALIFICATIONS+ Bachelor’s degree (BA/BS) from a 4-year accredited institution in Food Science, Biology, Engineering, Chemistry, or a related field; advanced degree a plus.
+ 8+ years of experience in R&D, Product Development, Manufacturing, and/or Quality Assurance within the food and/or supplement industry, including experience operating at a senior or leadership level.
+ Advanced, hands-on knowledge of confectionery formulation – starch and starchless gummies required; marshmallows and other confectionery formats (e.g., chews, jellies, pastilles) strongly preferred; capsules and powders a plus – with a proven track record developing clean-label, delicious products at commercial scale.
+ Demonstrated experience leading or building a product development function, including mentoring team members and establishing scalable processes.
+ Strong, demonstrated customer-facing experience – comfortable presenting to clients, understanding their needs, and translating those needs into technical solutions.
+ High emotional intelligence with excellent interpersonal skills; able to build trust quickly with clients, suppliers, manufacturers, and internal teams.
+ Strong analytical, written, and organizational skills, with the ability to manage complex technical information and multiple concurrent projects in a fast-paced environment.
+ Industry-leading understanding of ingredient functionality, product evaluation, health and nutrition, food manufacturing processes, microbiology, and quality assurance principles.
+ Demonstrated technical sales experience with a wide range of clients preferred.
+ A genuinely hands-on, solutions-oriented approach – willing to be in the lab, on the floor, and in front of the client as needed.
WORK ENVIRONMENT & PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS+ Full-time, in-person role based at Gummi World’s Chandler, AZ facility.
+ Regular time split between lab/R&D space, production floor, and office/administrative work.
+ Frequent client-facing interactions, including in-person meetings, tastings, and presentations.
+ Some travel may be required to support client visits, supplier meetings, or contract manufacturer evaluations.
WHAT SUCCESS LOOKS LIKE+ Gummi World’s product pipeline consistently delivers delicious, high-quality, and commercially scalable formulations.
+ Clients see this role as a trusted technical partner who understands their needs and delivers on them.
+ Cross-functional teams – Regulatory, Quality, Manufacturing, and Business Development – view this role as a collaborative, solutions-first leader.
+ New products move efficiently from concept to commercialization with minimal rework or delay.
+ The product development function matures and scales as Gummi World grows, with clear processes and a strengthening team.
Powered by JazzHR
To view full details and how to apply, please login or create a Job Seeker account