| Location | Sioux City, IA |
At JOLLY TIME®, we've been making popcorn people love for more than 100 years. As a fifth-generation family-owned company, we're proud of our heritage—but we're even more excited about what's next.
We're looking for an early-career Product Development Specialist who is passionate about food, curious about emerging consumer trends, and excited to help shape the future of popcorn. This is an opportunity to take ownership of innovation projects from concept through commercialization while working alongside experienced leaders who will provide mentorship without micromanagement. Because of our size and collaborative culture, you'll gain exposure to every stage of the product development process and work directly with senior leaders across the organization.
The ideal candidate is equally comfortable experimenting in the lab, researching the latest food trends, collaborating with Marketing, Sales, and Operations, and rolling up their sleeves to solve unexpected challenges. This position combines culinary creativity with scientific and manufacturing knowledge to create products that delight consumers while achieving business objectives for quality, cost, manufacturability, and regulatory compliance. You'll have the autonomy to lead projects, the opportunity to influence new products that reach consumers nationwide, and the flexibility to contribute across product development, commercialization, manufacturing support, quality, and continuous improvement.
Essential Functions: Product Development
Own new product development projects from concept through commercialization
Lead cross-functional project execution while partnering closely with Marketing, Operations, Quality, Procurement, and Sales
Drive projects forward by making sound technical recommendations, identifying risks early, and proactively solving problems
Design, prepare, and evaluate benchtop prototypes using flavors, seasonings, sweeteners, colors, fats, oils, functional ingredients, and processing aids
Collaborate with ingredient and packaging suppliers to identify new technologies, ingredients, and innovation opportunities
Prototype and optimize formulations for sensory quality, cost, shelf life, nutrition and manufacturability
Perform product benchmarking and competitive evaluations
Plan and lead production-scale trials and accelerated storage studies
Consumer & Trend Exploration
Stay current on food, flavor, snacking, ingredient, packaging, and consumer trends
Translate emerging marketplace trends into innovative popcorn concepts
Monitor competitive products and adjacent food categories for inspiration
Bring fresh ideas to the innovation pipeline through ongoing research and curiosity
Cross-Functional Collaboration
Partner closely with Manufacturing, Quality, Marketing, Sales, Procurement, and Operations to ensure successful product launches
Support commercialization, production startup, quality improvement, and manufacturing troubleshooting activities
Identify opportunities for product improvements, cost optimization, process efficiency, and waste reduction
Support Quality and Food Safety Departments with company food safety and quality management systems, including GMPs, HACCP, preventive controls, and regulatory labeling requirements
Provide technical support across the R&D function as business priorities evolve
And other duties as assigned by supervisor
Qualifications:
Education: Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Culinary Science, Chemistry, Biology, or related scientific discipline required
Experience: 1 – 3 years of experience in food product development or research and development
Experience working in a Consumer-Packaged Goods (CPG) environment preferred
Skills and Competencies:
Language Ability:
Ability to read and comprehend instructions, regulations, correspondence and memos in English. Ability to write both simple and detailed correspondence. Ability to understand and follow instructions. Ability to effectively present information and communicate thoughts, ideas, desires and problems to fellow employees, in both individual and small groups situations, management and other employees of the company on a one-to-one or group basis.
Work Environment:
The work environment is in a manufacturing facility. The environment is often dynamic and collaborative, with collaboration being essential in this role. Employees will contribute to overall production goals, with employees supporting the efficiency and effectiveness of the manufacturing processes. The manufacturing facility involves hands-on tasks, machinery and forklift operation, and adherence to GMPs. This setting requires attention to detail, adherence to protocols, and the ability to adapt to the demands of the company. Working hours outside of standard office hours will be required.
Physical Demands:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential responsibilities of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
This position requires a combination of sitting and standing throughout the workday. Ability to stand for extended periods of time while conducting laboratory work. You will also need to engage in tasks that require periods of standing and mobility. This role requires twisting, bending and reaching during tasks. This role requires adaptability to the changing demands of tasks and responsibilities. Will occasionally be lifting up to 50 lbs. Ability to work safely in lab and plant environments with food ingredients, multiple food allergens, flavor chemicals, and laboratory equipment.
General:
At American Pop Corn Company, our culture is built on our TACT values – Teamwork, Always Learning, Customer First, & Tenacious. We are committed to creating a workplace where employees treat one another with respect, communicate openly, and work collaboratively toward shared goals.
Every employee plays an important role in our success. We are expected to support one another, remain adaptable, and step in when needed to help teammates or serve our customers. Employees are responsible for maintaining our high standards of safety, quality, and sanitation while identifying opportunities to solve problems, improve processes, and increase efficiency. By embracing our continuous learning, taking ownership of our work, and consistently putting our customers first, we strengthen our team and contribute to the long term success of the Company.
Why You'll Love Working Here:
What about Benefits?
EOE post-offer drug screen required. E-verify. APCC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status.