Lab Operations Specialist

BUILT ON FLAVOR.  FUELED BY PEOPLE.

What’s it like to work at Kinder’s? Well, there’s a lot of snacking and geeking out over what we all cooked over the weekend. Beyond that, there’s also plenty of hard work. Because we don’t just like flavor, we’re obsessed with it.     

With over 100 products sold nationwide, we’re now a top-five brand in multiple flavor categories at Costco, Walmart, Whole Foods, and more. We’re not your typical CPG company. Privately held and founder-led, we like to think of ourselves as a pirate ship in a sea of cruise ships. Our crew is adventurous and fearless. We chart our own course and chase big ideas to make food unforgettable.  

As we expand globally and approach $1 billion in revenue, we need more smart-and-scrappy, flavor-obsessed people to come aboard. If you’re looking for a place where you can see the real impact of your work... this is it! Every day, you’ll be part of a journey to add flavor to millions of meals and lives. 

How you'll have an impact at Kinder’s: You will play a key role supporting Kinder’s by managing the lab’s various tasks and performing tasks that support cross-functional teams.  This is a critical position and will be relied upon by many of Kinder’s teammates throughout the organization. 

What You'll Be Doing: 

We are looking for a highly organized Lab Operations Specialist who will oversee all laboratory operations and ensure smooth day-to-day functioning of our Product Development team. This position supports Product Development Operations.

• Manage purchasing, installation, validation, calibration, and maintenance of laboratory equipment
• Maintain lab consumables inventory, order tracking, and vendor relationships
• Administer service contracts, calibration records, and preventive maintenance schedules
• Oversee lab organization, lab cleanliness, onboarding of new staff, and required training
• Assist maintaining and organizing raw material inventory
• Maintain shelf-life schedule evaluations
• Coordinate with the team to prepare and distribute sales and finished product samples
• Assist team with performing, reporting and analyzing analytical measurements
• Develop and maintain lab Standard Operating Procedures
• Research lab equipment for future applications
• Collaborate with external partners regarding lab processing equipment
• Develop operational strategies to support future growth
• Support operations such as presentation setup, facility coordination, and events
• Act as back up for other teammates and perform other departmental duties as assigned to support overall success

What You Bring to the Table: 

If you enjoy working in a fast paced environment and have strong organizational skills and a knack for multi-tasking, this could be a great fit for you!  

 Skills and Experience: 

• 1-3 years of experience in operating a lab; experience in the food industry and/or CPG strongly preferred.
• Bachelor’s degree in a science related discipline preferred.  
• Excellent organizational, time-management, analytical, interpersonal, and communication skills.
• Ability to work independently in a fast-paced environment
• Ability to prioritize, be proactive, multitask, and work with cross-functional teams in a dynamic setting
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office
• Must live within a comfortably commutable distance of Walnut Creek, CA to be considered.

 Personal Characteristics: 

• An ambitious individual that wants to grow their skillset at one of the premier growing food companies.  
• Self-Starter that requires minimal oversight with an ability to problem solve and manage multiple priorities simultaneously.  
• Excellent attention to detail and ability to manage multiple projects and tasks  
• Effective communication and teamwork skills are critical.  
• Accustomed to changing priorities and a high tempo, dynamic environment.  
• Strong interpersonal skills and a great attitude to support a high growth company  

The expected starting salary range for this role is $100,000- $105,000 per year. We may ultimately pay more or less than the posted range based on the location of the role. The amount a particular employee will earn within the salary range will be based on factors such as relevant education, qualifications, performance and business needs.

SEASONED FOR SUCCESS:

• No two days here are the same. 
• We try to be good team members and good communicators, but we don’t live by hierarchy and structure – everyone is a difference maker here. 
• We make a lot of decisions in the face of incomplete information – our team embraces ambiguity and tries to make good decisions fast rather than great decisions slow. 
• We believe our job is to take smart risk, not to eliminate risk. 
• We believe in growing our skills and becoming a better company with more managerial expertise, but we are an entrepreneurial company at heart. 
• We aren’t trying to be average – we want to do exceptional things, and we are willing to work hard to achieve them. 

BENEFITS THAT BRING MORE TO THE TABLE:

We offer a range of total rewards that may include paid time off, 401k, bonus / incentive eligibility, equity grants, competitive health benefits, and other family-friendly benefits, including parental leave. Kinder’s benefits vary based on eligibility and can be reviewed in more detail during the interview process.  

OUR RECIPE FOR BALANCE:

We believe great culture starts with people. We’re a people-first company built on connection, collaboration, and balance. Most of our work happens in the office to spark creativity and community, but we also offer flexibility so team members have the autonomy to work outside the office when needed to support their work-life balance and personal commitments.

WHERE EVERY INGREDIENT MATTERS:

Kinder's is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, ancestry, national origin, gender, citizenship, marital status, religion, age, disability, gender identity, results of genetic testing, veteran status, as well as any other legally-protected characteristic. If you have a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act or similar law, and you need any accommodation during the application process or to perform these job requirements, please reach out to us at careers@kinders.com