Director of Product Development

We at Pelagic are excited to share an opening at one of our long-time partners, Equip Foods!
WHY EQUIP FOODS
We are a countermovement to over complicated health trends. Creators of the beef protein category - a clinically-proven, gut-friendly alternative to whey and plant-based protein. Nutrient-dense, minimally-processed, real-food nutrition. We believe humans should eat real food and when you do supplement, it shouldn't be with weird isolated ingredients - it should be with more real food.
We exist to set a new standard in an industry that is incredibly shady; fancy packaging with ineffective doses, lack of transparency, under-dosed products relative to label claims. Without regulation, it is up to us, the brands, to set the standard. Simple, real-food supplements with 100% transparency on label claims, third-party tested for hundreds of toxins that have found their way into our food supply.
THE ROLE
We're looking for a hands-on, high-output Director of Product Development to own our product roadmap, R&D, and commercialization from concept through launch. This is not a traditional product management role, and we're not looking for someone who mainly coordinates outside R&D resources. We need a leader with deep, direct experience developing and commercializing protein powders and nutrition bars.
You should be comfortable taking a product from brief to bench, through pilot and scale-up, and into successful commercial production. You'll set product development strategy, manage external technical and manufacturing partners, identify risks early, and get into the details when something needs to get unstuck.
This role works closely with Supply Chain, Quality, Operations, Marketing, Growth, Retail, and co-manufacturers. It requires someone who can think strategically and is equally comfortable working through formulations, attending plant trials, calling ingredient suppliers, tasting iteration 17, or traveling onsite when that is the fastest way to solve a problem.
WHAT YOU WILL DO
Product Development and R&D
Pipeline and Portfolio Strategy
Commercialization and Launch Execution
Co-Manufacturer and Partner Leadership
Please review the full JD for a much more detailed description of your role, responsibilities, and specific expectations for each of the areas above - linked here: https://equipfoods.notion.site/Director-of-Product-Equip-Foods-3e412b868115806d9c77febfde76654d
HOW YOU OPERATE
More than anything, we're looking for someone with ownership, judgment, and resourcefulness. You'll do well here if:
Your first reaction when something goes wrong is, "I've got it." You start solving the problem instead of only reporting it
You work autonomously, set clear goals, and hold yourself accountable for the result
You identify risks early, communicate them clearly, and bring a recommendation with the problem
You keep digging until you understand the root cause and know enough technically to challenge food scientists and manufacturing partners when something does not add up
You are organized, data driven, and comfortable making decisions without perfect information
You move quickly without getting sloppy and can shift between high-level strategy and tactical execution
You are scrappy and willing to make the call, find the expert, chase the sample, run another trial, or get on a plane when needed
You communicate clearly in a distributed environment and are comfortable working asynchronously in writing
You have low ego, care deeply about health, and will do what the situation requires to get the right outcome
When you say you own something, people trust that it is handled
REQUIREMENTS
At least five years of hands-on CPG food product development experience, ideally in nutrition, supplements, functional foods, or beverages, with direct ownership of commercialization
Deep, direct experience developing and commercializing both protein or nutrition powders and protein or nutrition bars
A track record of personally leading multiple products from formulation through commercial-scale production
Strong technical understanding of protein systems, flavor systems, sweeteners, fats, binders, stabilizers, moisture management, texture, solubility, stability, shelf life, processing conditions, and ingredient interactions across product formats
Extensive experience working directly with co-manufacturers, navigating rapid iteration, and troubleshooting issues at commercial scale
A strong network in the powder and bar ecosystem, including manufacturers, ingredient suppliers, flavor houses, food scientists, and other technical resources
Experience leading bench work, plant trials, scale-ups, and first commercial productions
Working knowledge of food safety, quality assurance, specifications, labeling, claims, testing, and regulatory requirements
Strong project management and cross-functional coordination skills, including the ability to manage multiple complex programs and priorities
Willingness and enthusiasm to travel regularly for R&D trials, manufacturing runs, supplier visits, and hands-on problem solving
Proven ability to thrive in a fast-growing, lean, remote team and move between strategy and execution
NICE-TO-HAVES
Degree in Food Science, Food Engineering, Nutrition, Chemistry, or a related field
Experience with beef, collagen, dairy, or other animal-protein systems
Experience developing products with short, clean ingredient decks, natural flavor systems, and naturally derived sweeteners
Experience launching products into national retail, including retailers such as Whole Foods, Sprouts, and Erewhon
Experience with shelf-life validation, analytical and third-party testing, sensory programs, quality assurance, and product certifications
Experience qualifying and onboarding new co-manufacturing and ingredient partners
YOU WILL PROBABLY HATE THIS ROLE IF
Most of your product experience has been project management rather than hands-on development and commercialization
You do not have meaningful experience developing both protein powders and nutrition bars
You would rather manage consultants and co-manufacturers than get directly involved in technical problem solving
You expect a large team, a specialized resource for every problem, or constant direction before you can move
You prefer predictable, repeatable work, limited travel, or frequent calls to talk through decisions
You are uncomfortable pushing or challenging manufacturers, suppliers, and technical experts
Your first instinct when something goes wrong is to schedule a meeting instead of starting to solve it
You think the work is done once the formula is approved
WHAT GREAT LOOKS LIKE
Problems are identified earlier and solved faster. Products improve. Launches become more predictable. Equip's network of technical and manufacturing partners gets stronger. The rest of the company can move faster because product development is in good hands
OTHER DETAILS
Fully remote and location independent
High growth potential and opportunity
High performance will result in high compensation
BENEFITS
We are extremely intentional about how we support you as an individual. Our benefits contribute to your education, well-being, health, and self-improvement so you can be your best self!
Top-of-the-line health care, vision, and dental plans
$200 per month for local farmers market purchases and food
$200 per month for a gym membership or personal fitness
A free Kindle and unlimited free books
$1,000 per year for continued learning and training programs
$200 per month for emotional and mental wellness
No fixed work schedule or monitoring of hours. You create your own working environment
Flexible work arrangements and unlimited time off
Free company products
Please apply through the Linkedin portal provided. Thank you for your interest in growing with us!

Work arrangement
Yes