DB Franchising USA - Phoenix, AZ
posted about 2 months ago
The Product Research & Development Manager at Dutch Bros Coffee plays a crucial role in overseeing the research and development of all shop-level consumable products and associated tools, as well as vendor qualification and setup. This position is integral to the company's mission of making a massive difference one cup at a time, ensuring that all managed projects align with brand standards and Dutch Bros specifications. The manager will be responsible for developing products that support national marketing campaigns, enhance supply chain redundancy, drive equipment innovation, and improve operational efficiency. This role requires fostering strong, supportive relationships with key leaders across various departments to ensure seamless collaboration and communication. In this position, the manager will create, coordinate, and manage all R&D product projects and expenses according to company procedures. They will keep stakeholders informed of project statuses through timely documentation and communication. The role also involves researching and securing product samples to support campaign and product drop needs, as well as partnering with procurement to qualify new vendors. The manager will deliver technical product specification sheets for both third-party and proprietary items, ensuring they are updated and accessible for broad use. Additionally, the Product Research & Development Manager will act as a liaison between R&D, vendors, Brand/Innovation, Supply Chain, Procurement, Legal, Finance, and Field Services. They will provide support and technical expertise to coordinate projects and resolve issues efficiently. The manager will also oversee the onboarding of new ingredients and recipe builds, ensuring proper specifications are communicated to cross-functional leaders, including the Food Safety Manager and Supply Chain. This role requires a proactive approach to managing vendor relationships and product improvement strategies, staying current with product trends and innovations through education and research.