Help Us Build a Healthier World
LeafSide is a mission-driven food company making it easier than ever to eat healthy, whole-food, plant-based (WFPB) meals every day. Our products are crafted by award-winning chefs and backed by nutritional science to deliver maximum taste, convenience, and health benefits — all made entirely from whole plant foods. We are seeking a passionate and detail-oriented Product Development Coordinator to help us create the next generation of life-changing foods.
The Opportunity
As a Product Development Coordinator, you will be the operational engine of our product team. You'll manage the end-to-end process of bringing new meals from concept to kitchen, coordinating with chefs, suppliers, and our manufacturing team. This is a hands-on role for someone who is highly organized, passionate about food science, and deeply aligned with our mission to make healthy eating the easy default.
What You’ll Do
Coordinate Product Lifecycle: Manage timelines, documentation, and communication for new product development and existing product improvements. Focuses on translating successful lab formulations into commercially viable manufacturing processes; designs and modifies equipment and line layouts for new product runs; optimizes efficiencies and reduces waste.
Supplier & Ingredient Management: Source, vet, and coordinate with suppliers for new whole-food ingredients, ensuring quality and mission alignment.
Recipe & Prototyping Support: Work with our culinary team to organize recipe testing, taste-test panels, and feedback collection.
Data & System Management: Meticulously track product specs, costs, and project status in detailed spreadsheets and project management tools. Ensures all new products and reformulations comply with FDA/USDA/international labeling laws; manages ingredient declarations, nutrition facts panel (NFP) generation, and allergen control documentation.
Cross-Functional Collaboration: Act as the link between Product, Marketing, and Production teams to ensure smooth launches.
What You Bring (Must-Haves)
Mission Alignment: Must be vegan, plant-based, or genuinely passionate about health and LeafSide's mission. This is non-negotiable.
Organizational Excellence: Minimum 3 years of food development / food science experience in a coordination, operations, or project support role. You thrive on creating order from chaos.
Technical Proficiency: Intermediate or advanced skills in spreadsheets (Google Sheets/Excel); experience with project management software (e.g., ClickUp, Asana).
Core Traits: Exceptionally detail-oriented, resourceful, and a proactive problem-solver. You have a "doer" mentality and high agency.
Communication Skills: Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Bonus Skills (Nice-to-Haves)
Experience in the food & beverage industry, especially with CPG.
Understanding of vegan and WFPB nutrition (e.g., familiar with Dr. Greger's work, Lifestyle Medicine).
Basic knowledge of food science or culinary skills.
Why LeafSide
A Launchpad, Not a Dead End: This is your on-ramp to a career in product development at an established, mission-driven company. Growth potential is determined by your performance and drive.
Live the Mission: Employee discount and complimentary LeafSide meals every workday (a $2,500+ yearly value).
See Your Work Drive Change: Every product you help launch directly impacts our mission and our customers' health.
Mentorship & Collaboration: Work alongside and learn from our seasoned team.
Benefits: Health, dental, and vision insurance, and Employee Assistance Program (EAP) plans are offered.
Time Off: 3 weeks of total time off per year (5 sick days and 7 vacation days), which are accrued per pay period, in addition to 8 paid holidays.
Team Culture: Off-site team events, like volunteering at local animal sanctuaries or community gardens.
Incomplete applications will not be reviewed.
Job Type: Full-time
Benefits:
Dental insurance
Employee assistance program
Employee discount
Health insurance
Health savings account
Paid time off
Professional development assistance
Relocation assistance
Vision insurance
Application Question(s):
Do you have any food allergies that would prevent you from safely taste-testing or working in a facility that processes nuts, soy, wheat, coconut, sesame, and other common food allergens?
(Response Required for Consideration)
If you were to play a key role in accelerating the adoption of WFPB eating, what is one common misconception or emotional barrier you'd want to tackle first, and why does it matter to you personally?
(Response Required for Consideration)
Tell us about a time you confidently applied a 'best practice' or a piece of conventional wisdom, only to discover it was wrong or incomplete for your specific situation. What did that experience teach you about learning?
(Response Required for Consideration)
Describe a time you had to achieve a goal with 'no budget, no authority, and no clear instructions.' What was the one thing you did that you believe made the biggest difference, and what did you learn about your own capabilities?
(Response Required for Consideration)
Education:
Bachelor's (Required)
Experience:
Food development / food science: 2+ years (Required)
Ability to Commute:
Tempe, AZ 85283 (Required)