Please send a cover letter and resume to jobs@actualveggies.com. No applications on LinkedIn will be considered!
Who We Are
At Actual Veggies, we celebrate whole foods, real ingredients and veggies! Launched in 2021, our chef-crafted veggie burgers are available nationally in about 12,000 retail doors including Whole Foods, Sprouts, Kroger, and Albertsons/Safeway. As we expand to new categories with our innovation, we’re on the fast track for exponential growth and looking forward to being a power player in bringing real food and real ingredients to more households.
Location: Hybrid: Denver + Remote (MUST BE BASED IN DENVER AREA)
Type: Full-Time or Project Based
What You Will DO
The Research & Development Manager will lead Actual Veggie’s product optimization, innovation and development efforts, owning end-to-end product development while partnering closely with Operations, QA, Sales, Marketing, and co-manufacturing partners.
Key responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
Build and lead the R&D function for Actual Veggies burgers + fries, and any new products
Lead end-to-end development of all products from concept through commercialization and scale-up
Develop line extensions and innovation aligned with brand strategy, retailer feedback, and consumer trends
Ensure all recipes can be viable in a manufacturing environment
Create optimization based on evolving needs, nutrients, pricing, while leading with taste
Lead R&D focus sessions with internal stakeholders
Create samples as needed
Conduct benchtop, pilot plant, and production trials
Establish and maintain product specifications, formulas, and process parameters
Visit co-manufacturing sites to support trials and ensure production accuracy
Own nutrition panel and ingredient list regulatory compliance
Evaluate ingredient alternatives and co-manufacturer capabilities to support clean-label, cost, and scalability goals
Partner with QA and Consumer Affairs to stay close to consumer feedback
Qualifications
5+ years of R&D project management experience in the food industry (frozen food ideally)
Proven experience working with co-manufacturing partners
Strong communication and relationship management skills
Experience with sensory evaluation and external consultants
Bachelor’s degree in food science, microbiology, or related field preferred
Ability to travel up to 20%
