Sr. Researcher R&D

Sr. Researcher R&D – Job Description
Kona Ice, Inc.

Florence, KY USA

Full-time

Join a team recognized for entrepreneurship, innovation, philanthropy, and FUN!

At Kona, you’ll join an award-winning team working to responsibly grow and sustain the largest mobile food and beverage brand in the country! Over our 15-year history, we’ve established and supported a growing network of +1400 franchises—small business owners ingrained in their communities creating memorable experiences for youth by serving sports tournaments, birthday celebrations, school field days, summer camps, and hot days at the local pool. Though our contributions extend beyond the joy we propagate, as we have collectively given back +$110 million to local communities. We’re also ranked as the top franchise in the Franchise Business Review!

But working at Kona isn’t just about delighting kids and improving communities—you’ll have access to dynamic career opportunities across functions and fields. We’re a fast-paced, agile, inspired culture with a commitment to developing and promoting our talent. We pride ourselves on creating a flexible work environment that cultivates fun and inclusivity for all.

…and we’re only getting started! Our product portfolio includes over a 100 new world-class shaved ice flavors and growing, premium beverages, and new menu offerings in exploration everyday. We don’t focus on job descriptions, but tend to identify employee passions and talents and craft work plans accordingly. However, as a Senior Researcher at Kona Ice you can loosely expect:

Key Responsibilities:

- Support research and development new and current product initiatives with guidance from management

- Lead lab work execution and data collection on a wide variety of initiatives (i.e. stability studies, new flavor creation, etc.)

- Manage product specification database updating current and loading new documentation and recipes.

- Develop and calculate ingredient and nutrition statements

-Independently document, record, and report all technical studies

- Participate on cross-functional teams to support initiatives as they move through the development process

- Engage with franchisees and suppliers to support the holistic design and execution of new products

Must Haves:

- B.S. Food Science or Chemistry. Other B.S. technical degrees considered (i.e. Chemical
Engineering, Biology, etc.)

- 2-4 years’ experience working in food and/or beverage product development or similar field

- Laboratory best practices proficiency

- Technical work documentation and record keeping expertise with strong attention to detail

- Established history of critical thinking and problem solving

- Collaborative and effective team engagement and desire to build relationships

- Ability to deliver time bound results and act with a sense of urgency

- Open to travel 10% of the time, project dependent

We Value:

- Food and/or beverage ingredient and nutrition statement development understanding

- Experience working on cross-functional teams

- Curiosity, sense of adventure, stepping outside of comfort zone for new opportunities to grow

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $45,000.00 - $65,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Compensation package:

• Bonus opportunities

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Monday to Friday

Work Location: In person