Director Of Innovation & Commercialization

Flying Embers was founded in Ojai, California by a team of entrepreneurs, winemakers, musicians and surfers driven to create the best tasting, highest quality and most innovative organic alcohol drinks in the world. Flying Embers got its name when they banded together during the Thomas Fires to protect everything they had been working to build. The experience gave them the name and their drive towards a purpose beyond the brews. They established the Embers Foundation to support firefighters and first responders with 1% of all sales going directly towards Rewild, Respond and Recover efforts. We take intense pride in pushing the limits of innovation in our brewing and in building our biz. Today, Flying Embers is a national brand with strong local roots in Ventura, California.

Our team is currently looking for a skilled and motivated Director of Innovation & Commercialization in the Ventura, CA area. This is an exciting opportunity for someone who is looking for a role within a fast-paced environment.

Who We Are:

Reporting directly to the company's President, the Director of Innovation & Commercialization will be in charge of managing all cross-functional workstreams to bring new products from idea to launch. The R&D department will report into the Director of Innovation & Commercialization and this position will work closely with the company's President, CEO and Executive Leadership team on rapid innovations where speed to market is a priority. In addition to the core responsibility of project management, this position will be required to directly manage and update internal systems, databases, and project management tools in excel, so candidates must have strong intermediate excel skills and a willingness to roll up your sleeves.

Responsibilities:

• Completing day to day tasks and functions required to commercialize new or maintain existing branded, co-packed, and private label products
• Passion for continuous improvement of processes, automating and reorganizing where possible.
• Work closely with the company's Supply Chain Manager and Chief Marketing Officer for the development of prototypes, submission of new artwork, approval of new artwork, and submission of initial purchase orders
• Employ effective interpersonal time and resource management skills to complete projects.
• Oversee the company's national and state-level product registrations and work closely with the company's Director of Compliance and Accounting to ensure all product registrations and
• Leading project teams, assigning individual responsibilities, enforcing accountability, and developing/maintaining timelines to ensure timely completion of projects/tasks
• In collaboration with the company's Supply Chain Manager, initiate new item setups in ERP, including BOM setup/maintenance.
• Review/approve internal product specifications in collaboration with company's Food Safety Manager
• Oversee R&D team for the development of prototypes and scheduling of plant trials as needed for projects.
• Manage internal company spec sheets and other databases for new items and item updates.
• Run weekly commercialization meetings, ensuring project decisions are made efficiently and documented.
• Monitor and control project work identifying and quantifying variances to timelines and budgets and communicating regularly with all stakeholders.
• Assist in SKU maintenance (discontinued items, Organic, Non-GMO, Kosher, etc.)

Who You Are:

• 6 - 10 years of experience in commercialization, innovation, compliance and / or R&D inside of a food and beverage company. Experience in the alcohol industry is strongly preferred.
• Entrepreneurial mindset
• Understanding of new product R&D
• Strong organizational and time-management skills
• Technical competency and high-level of comfort project managing complicated innovation projects across departments.
• This is an exciting opportunity for someone who is looking for a highly visible role within a fast-paced entrepreneurial environment
• Bachelor's degree required.
• Understanding of profitability and margin requirements
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a team environment
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills. Ability to present to Executive Leadership Team
• Occasionally required to sit for prolonged periods of time
• The ideal candidate should have excellent Excel & PowerPoint skills, be detail-oriented, and have the ability to work collaboratively across functions
• Ability to work under pressure and meet tight deadlines
• Candidates will be asked to complete an Excel skills assessment during the interview process. Strong intermediate excel skills are required as a significant portion of this role involves managing internal systems, databases, and project management tools in excel. Candidates must be very comfortable with xlookups, nested if statements, sumifs, and other related functions.
• Understanding of legal, compliance and registration needs for new products

Benefits

• Generous and flexible vacation policy
• Paid Parental Leave
• Pet Insurance for your furry kids
• 401k
• Flexible Spending Account Benefits
• Vacation, Sick & Mental Health Time Off
• Comprehensive health and wellness coverage
• Free personal development therapy (EAP)
• Flexible working environment

Perks

• Company branded swag.
• Brand partnership discounts with other local purpose driven companies
• Free Flying Embers beverages
• Happy hours, team building, company-sponsored events and festivals
• Casual/Creative Office Environment

Physical Requirements and Work Environment

Required to stand, sit, squat, bend and twist, from time to time.

Equal Opportunity

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and do not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, sex, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, status as a veteran, and basis of disability or any other federal, state, or local protected class.