Benefits:

Dental insurance

Employee discounts

Health insurance

Paid time off

Vision insurance

The R&D Project Coordinator plays a critical role in supporting Jeremiah’s Italian Ice’s innovation pipeline by coordinating research and development activities, managing documentation, and supporting hands-on product development. This role bridges organization and creativity, ensuring R&D projects progress efficiently from concept through testing, documentation, and execution while maintaining alignment with Jeremiah’s innovation process.

Working closely with the Director of R&D and cross-functional partners, the R&D Project Coordinator supports daily operations of the R&D facility, manages project deliverables, and actively participates in product development activities including prototyping, equipment testing, and taste testing. This role requires a strong understanding of the product development lifecycle, product safety and regulatory fundamentals, supplier collaboration, and cost awareness to support successful launches and product optimization initiatives.

This is a full-time, Orlando-based role. Travel is limited and primarily local, occurring between the R&D facility, corporate office, and company stores within the Orlando market.

Essential Functions

Support new product development from initial concept through final formulation, including testing, documentation, and presentations, with an emphasis on Limited Time Offers (LTOs), menu platforms, and innovation calendar execution.

Assist in executing key R&D meetings and presentations, including large cross-functional product reviews and innovation forums (e.g., JFAC-style meetings).

Organize, coordinate, and facilitate testing processes such as product cuttings, equipment testing, taste tests, water quality assessments, and product demonstrations.

Partner with the Director of R&D to develop, maintain, and organize comprehensive R&D documentation, including finished product specifications, raw and packaging material specifications, recipes, formulations, product safety documentation, and cost analyses.

Support supplier collaboration and relationship management by coordinating communication, documentation, and follow-up with ingredient, packaging, and equipment suppliers.

Develop, maintain, and present project deliverables including equipment testing summaries, product and sample testing results, regulatory and safety considerations, and project progress reports.

Foster strong cross-functional collaboration by providing accurate, timely, and proactive R&D information to internal stakeholders, demonstrating a strong sense of urgency and ownership.

Proactively manage the R&D facility by maintaining, setting up, and breaking down testing equipment and ensuring the facility is prepared for daily testing, presentations, and supplier interactions.

Provide administrative and organizational support to the R&D department to ensure smooth day-to-day operations and consistent project progress.

Learn, understand, and execute against Jeremiah’s Italian Ice’s innovation process, including stage gates, milestones, innovation calendars, and launch timelines.

Participate hands-on in product development activities, including prototyping, testing, optimization, and refinement of new and existing products to improve quality, cost, and performance.

Qualifications

Education & Experience:

Bachelor’s or Associate’s degree preferred.

Minimum of 3–5 years of experience in research, product development, or a related field.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

Working knowledge of the product development lifecycle, including concept development, testing, validation, and launch.

Basic product safety, food quality, and regulatory compliance knowledge; ability to research and stay current with applicable standards.

Experience working with suppliers, including coordination, communication, and relationship management.

Understanding of product costing, cost drivers, and opportunities for cost savings and optimization.

Strong organizational and project management skills with a demonstrated sense of urgency.

Excellent written and verbal communication abilities.

High attention to detail with strong documentation and reporting skills.

Proficiency in Microsoft Office, Excel, and Google Docs; ability to quickly learn new software.

Ability to collaborate cross-functionally and support multiple projects simultaneously.

Experience operating food service equipment or willingness to learn.

Passion for product optimization, innovation, and continuous improvement.

Physical Demands:

Ability to move throughout office, store and R&D spaces, including standing, walking, kneeling, and bending for extended periods.

Ability to sit or stand for extended periods of time.

Ability to express or exchange ideas verbally and perceive sound by ear.

Manual dexterity, hand-eye coordination, and ability to work with hands above shoulders.

Ability to occasionally, regularly, and frequently move objects (lift, push, pull, balance, carry) up to 50 pounds.

Ability to turn or twist body parts in a circular motion.

Ability to tolerate exposure to heat, cold, chemicals, and loud or noisy environments.

Ability to travel via automobile for extended periods of time.