R&D & Project Coordinator

Jacobsen Salt Co. is seeking an R&D & Project Coordinator who thrives in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment and brings strong project coordination, product development, and cross-functional collaboration skills to support our growing product innovation pipeline.

Jacobsen Salt Co. is a Portland-based specialty food company dedicated to crafting premium salt and seasoning products. We believe in the value that diversity brings to an organization and are committed to creating a collaborative workplace rooted in curiosity, learning, and craftsmanship. Our mission is to inspire people to cook, eat, and live well.

The R&D & Project Coordinator serves as the strategic bridge among Marketing, Operations, Sales, partners, and our network of packaging and ingredient suppliers. This role is critical to driving our ambitious product development pipeline and ensuring seamless execution of new product launches, packaging innovations, and special projects. The ideal candidate will be a systems-thinker who thrives in managing multiple complex projects while maintaining exceptional attention to detail and food safety compliance requirements.

Essential Duties:

The R&D & Project Coordinator leads and coordinates product innovation initiatives while supporting packaging development, compliance, and cross-functional project execution.

• Lead and coordinate R&D initiatives from concept through launch across multiple concurrent projects
• Partner with leadership, suppliers, and partners to develop new products and flavor profiles aligned with brand and market opportunities
• Establish and maintain R&D project plans, timelines, and launch schedules
• Coordinate sample development, testing protocols, and approval processes
• Document and maintain recipe specifications, ensuring scalability from test kitchen to production
• Serve as primary liaison among Marketing, Design, Operations, and packaging suppliers
• Review and approve packaging designs for FDA and food safety compliance
• Manage packaging updates and revisions across multiple SKUs
• Support sustainable packaging initiatives, supplier optimization, and special projects
• Maintain regulatory documentation, SKU records, and margin documentation
• Perform other duties as assigned

Required Qualifications:

• 3–5 years of experience in product development, innovation, or project management within CPG, preferably specialty food
• Proven ability to manage multiple complex projects simultaneously and meet aggressive timelines
• Strong understanding of food production processes, ingredient sourcing, and packaging technologies
• Experience with FDA labeling requirements and food safety regulations
• Exceptional organizational, project management, and communication skills
• Knowledge of COGS and SKU management

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with premium or artisan food brands
• Background in culinary arts or food science
• Knowledge of salt production, spice blending, or flavor development
• Experience working with retail buyers and compliance requirements
• Familiarity with sustainable packaging materials and eco-friendly solutions
• Experience managing relationships with co-manufacturers and 3PL partners

Benefits and Pay:

• Pay range for this role is $25 - $30, depending on experience, education, and qualifications
• Our company benefits include:
• Health, dental, and vision benefits eligibility after 60 days
• Pet insurance
• Short-term disability insurance
• 401(k) eligibility after one year
• Paid time off and paid company holidays
• Flexible Savings