WHY JOIN HARVEST HILL BEVERAGE COMPANY?
At Harvest Hill Beverage Company, we craft beloved brands that create everyday
joy. Our portfolio includes iconic brands such as SunnyD®, Juicy Juice®, Little
HUG®, Daily’s Cocktails®, and other category-leading beverages enjoyed by
consumers across North America. With more than $1 billion in annual revenue and
a nationwide manufacturing and distribution network, Harvest Hill is one of the
nation’s largest independent branded beverage producers.
Our Mission, Vision, Values, and Purpose guide how we operate, make decisions,
and work together each day. These principles are not just words on a page. They
shape our culture, our leadership expectations, and how we serve our consumers,
customers, employees, and communities.
Our Mission
We Craft Beloved Brands to Create Everyday Joy.
Our Vision
To build the most vibrant family of beverage brands, honoring their heritage
while innovating to delight generations to come.
Our Values
Respect, Integrity, Passion, Sustainability
Our Purpose
We combine innovation and passion to share and celebrate every moment of your
life, generating well-being and sustainable development.
THE COMPANY:
Harvest Hill Beverage Company manufactures, markets, and distributes beverages
across Grocery, Mass Merchandisers, Warehouse Clubs, Convenience, Foodservice,
and Liquor Distributor channels. Headquartered in Stamford, Connecticut, Harvest
Hill employs more than 1,000 people across its corporate offices, manufacturing
facilities, and distribution operations throughout the United States. Harvest
Hill is part of Castillo Hermanos, an international, family-owned business group
founded in 1886 and a leader in the Central American and Caribbean consumer
market, with a strong heritage of building trusted brands, investing in people,
and driving innovation and growth for the next generation.
THE ROLE:
The Beverage Technologist III is a key member of the R&D team, responsible for
supporting the various R&D initiatives including new product development,
optimization of existing products, evaluating new/alternative ingredients and
technical documentation and filings.
The candidate will collaborate closely with Marketing and Sales to foster
innovation and new product development. The candidate will also work closely
with Operations, Purchasing and Quality Assurance to ensure standard processes
are followed. The position operates in a fast paced, dynamic environment with
multiple priorities and therefore requires a high level of adaptability to
quickly address both new opportunities and urgent trouble shooting challenges.
PRIMARY POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES:
* In conjunction with Marketing, Sales, Quality Assurance and Operations, help
identify, design and scale up new adult and children’s beverages from bench
to manufacturing plant.
* Evaluate new ingredients and identify/qualify ingredient vendors for
applications in new products.
* Using lab bench and pilot equipment (e.g. Microthermics), manufacture product
samples for internal and external consumer tests.
* Monitor, redesign and improve existing juice drinks and alcohol products to
optimize organoleptic properties.
* Work with Purchasing, Operations and current/new vendors to design and
execute efforts to qualify alternate ingredient sources and reduce
ingredient/finished product costs.
* Work with Marketing to identify line extensions for current items and
assemble bench top prototypes for organizational and customer evaluation.
* Design and conduct sensory tests to support development efforts and
shelf-life studies for new and existing products.
* Analyze competitive products’ ingredients, content claims, forms, sensory
attributes, etc.
* Assemble ingredient statements and Nutrition Facts Panels to support label
development for all products as required.
* Design and execute long term physical, vitamin and organoleptic stability
studies, to support shelf-life assignment.
* In concert with Quality Assurance, assist with the company’s Kosher
certification program and HACCP/food safety programs.
* Support Harvest Hill Quality Assurance and manufacturing plant efforts in our
annual SQF and Organic certification programs.
* Collaborate with Operations to assure formulation Batch/Weigh Sheets are
accurate, up to date and available to Production Staff.
* Assist Quality Assurance and Marketing to identify and resolve technically
based consumer product complaints.
* Assemble or write product and ingredient specification documents. Assist
Operations and Quality Assurance with deviations that occur during
production.
POSITION QUALIFICATIONS:
* The ideal candidate will have a minimum of a bachelor’s degree in food
science, Chemistry or related field.
* 5+ years of experience in food/beverage product development, alcoholic and
nonalcoholic beverages a plus.
* Ability to communicate effectively in writing and verbally, through reports
and presentations.
* Ability to work in a plant environment when operations or quality requests
support.
* Ability to follow instructions, work independently and as part of a team to
meet project goals.
* Must be able to analyze and prioritize multiple tasks to effectively manage
workflow in a fast paced, dynamic work environment.
* Possess a strong work ethic using critical thinking and with great attention
to detail.
* Possess a very active level of engagement and high integrity in the work
environment.
* Must be comfortable working in a lab environment on a daily basis and
maintaining lab equipment and stock supplies.
* Must be able to interact with production personnel, monitor, and assist in a
plant environment during pilots and startups.
* Must be able to travel as needed to support pilots, startups, or attend
training opportunities.
COMPENSATION & BENEFITS:
Individual compensation will be determined based on experience, qualifications,
skills, and overall alignment with the requirements of the role.
Harvest Hill offers a competitive total rewards package that includes:
* Annual incentive bonus opportunity
* Medical, dental, and vision insurance
* Health Savings Account (HSA) and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
* Company-paid life insurance and disability coverage
* 401(k) with company matching contributions
* Paid vacation, sick time, and company holidays
* Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
Job Location: This position is full-time, lab and office-based in Cincinnati,
OH (5 days/week).
Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States. We are
unable to sponsor or assume sponsorship of employment visas at this time.