Product and Project Innovation Manager

JOB SUMMARY

Mama Lola’s is looking for a high-energy, execution-driven Product and Project Innovation Manager to bridge the gap between innovation, operations, and sales.

This role will work directly with the VP of Sales to drive new product development, customer commercialization projects, reformulations, line extensions, and continuous improvement initiatives across tortillas, tortilla chips, snacks, and related food categories.

This is not a “sit in a lab and write notes” role. This position is for someone who can take an idea from a sales conversation and drive it all the way through formulation, costing, plant trials, commercialization, and launch. Fast-moving. Cross-functional. High accountability. Zero fluff.

The ideal candidate understands both the science of food and the reality of manufacturing.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

New Product Development (NPD)

• Lead development of new tortilla, chip, snack, seasoning, and related food products from concept through commercialization
• Collaborate with VP of Sales on customer opportunities, innovation strategies, and market trends
• Develop formulations, ingredient specifications, and processing parameters
• Conduct bench-top testing, pilot runs, and plant trials
• Coordinate product scale-up from R&D to full production
• Support private label and customer-specific development projects
• Improve existing products for quality, shelf-life, yield, flavor, texture, and cost optimization

Project Management

• Manage multiple customer and internal projects simultaneously
• Develop timelines, action plans, and commercialization schedules
• Coordinate communication between Sales, Operations, QA, Purchasing, Production, and Executive Leadership
• Track project milestones, risks, delays, and launch readiness
• Ensure projects move rapidly without sacrificing food safety or quality
• Lead customer sample requests and prototype development

Food Science & Technical Leadership

• Evaluate ingredients, raw materials, and processing technologies
• Support shelf-life studies, nutritional validation, and product testing
• Assist with ingredient functionality troubleshooting
• Work closely with Food Safety/SQF teams to assure compliance with all regulatory and customer requirements
• Maintain accurate product documentation including:
• Formulations
• Batch sheets
• Specifications
• Ingredient statements
• Allergen declarations
• Nutritional information
• Process instructions

Commercialization & Customer Support

• Participate in customer meetings and presentations
• Support commercialization of new retail and foodservice programs
• Assist with costing analysis and margin optimization
• Work with suppliers on ingredient innovation and cost reduction opportunities
• Support strategic growth initiatives for Mama Lola’s expanding chip and snack categories

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Food Engineering, Chemistry, Biology, or related field
• 3+ years of experience in food manufacturing, R&D, or product development
• Strong understanding of food processing and manufacturing systems
• Experience managing projects in a fast-paced production environment
• Strong organizational and communication skills
• Ability to balance creativity with operational practicality
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite
• Ability to work cross-functionally with production, QA, and sales teams

PREFERRED QUALIFICAITONS

• Experience with tortilla, corn, masa, snack food, or bakery manufacturing
• SQF, HACCP, or food safety system knowledge
• Experience with nutritional software and formulation systems
• Understanding of ingredient sourcing and supply chain coordination
• Experience in private label food manufacturing
• Bilingual English/Spanish preferred

PHYSICAL REQUIRMENTS

• Ability to stand and walk production floors for extended periods
• Ability to lift up to 30 pounds occasionally
• Comfortable working in manufacturing environments with heat, dust, and production noise

Pay: $95,000.00 - $105,000.00 per year

Application Question(s)

• Do you have a strong understanding of food processing and manufacturing systems?
• Experience in managing projects?
• Experience with SQF and HACCP?

Education

• Bachelor's (Preferred)

Experience

• Food Manufacturing or Product Development: 3 years (Required)

Language

• Bilingual (Preferred)

Work Location: In person