R&D Process Lead

Welcome to the future of coffee. Cometeer features the best beans from world-class roasters, brewed better through science, and frozen in a peak-state of coffee deliciousness. Delivered in a tiny recyclable capsule, all you have to do is melt it with hot water (or ice water, or oat milk). Think pour over quality, pajama convenience. With a mission to elevate how the world consumes coffee, we recognize that our greatest strength lies in our people. 

At Cometeer, we foster a culture of collaboration, curiosity, and respect, where every team member’s unique perspective and contributions drive our success. We are passionate about building an environment where individuals thrive, innovate, and feel empowered to make an impact. Join us in revolutionizing an industry while celebrating the people who make it all possible.

The Role

Cometeer is an expanding startup company that is looking to add an experienced R&D Process Lead to join our Quality team. This individual will be responsible for leading and supporting key R&D initiatives with Engineering and Ops to design, improve, and control our beverage manufacturing processes. The successful candidate will characterize existing processes and configure manufacturing systems to reduce cost, improve performance, develop best practices within the production process and work to make coffee better everyday.

This person will have the opportunity to work with new and unique concepts and designs that will disrupt the coffee industry. They will join a fast-paced environment that allows for continuous personal and career growth in the process of developing and enhancing one-of-a-kind products and machines.

What you'll do:

• Operate as the core knowledge owner of critical process impact to product quality
• Identify gaps within current production process and own/deliver change for improvement 
• Observe equipment used in the manufacturing process and characterize process capability and the underlying effects
• Partner with cross-functional teams including operations, engineering, supply chain/coffee quality, and safety to develop cost effective solutions that streamline and standardize processes and drive economies of scale
• Lead R&D projects from concept through scale-up of new ingredients, products or technologies
• Investigate product quality issues, including consumer complaints, and prepare subsequent after-action review to reduce recurrence
• Build business cases for new products, technologies, or changes within existing framework
• Gather and examine product data, including customer feedback, and correlate the data for analysis to build or refine product specifications
• Provide regular status updates with all stakeholders, keeping the stakeholder’s needs and requirements continuously in view
• Be engaged with industry trends and how to leverage new technology into design standards
• Establish clear ownership for project tasks and a clear schedule for when each task will be performed
• Develop and execute comprehensive test plans for equipment and process improvements
• Work Cross-Functionally with Operations, Supply Chain, Engineering, and other teams to continuously improve our quality and efficiency 

What we're looking for:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Food Science, Process Engineering or applicable experience
• Experience with R&D or Test Plan Development/Execution
• Familiarity with Good Manufacturing Process (GMP)
• Comfortable integrating new ideas, technology and processes into an existing business environment 
• Strong critical thinking and problem-solving skills
• Project management experience
• Must have the ability to effectively communicate with cross functional business partners 

Preferred:

• 1-2 years of experience in a similar role 
• Related work experience in a beverage or food manufacturing environment
• Experience in data analysis to build product specifications
• Proficient in Google GSuite data tools and ability to work with data to generate periodic reports as needed 

Cometeer is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to building an inclusive environment for people of all backgrounds and everyone is encouraged to apply. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, religion, disability, national origin, protected veteran status, age, or any other status protected by applicable national, federal, state, or local law.