About this opportunity
Bigelow Tea lists this Director, Research & Development opportunity in fairfield, Connecticut. Review the employer’s description below for duties, qualifications and application requirements.
Job description
Fairfield, Connecticut
Fairfield, CT 06825, USA
Description
Bigelow Tea is the number one specialty tea company in the United States. We are a family‑owned and operated business and a Certified B Corporation. Being a certified B Corp officially recognizes a commitment that has been part of the company’s DNA since it was founded 80 years ago. Our purpose has always been about much more than making profits. We are committed to good citizenship, ethical business practices, accountability, transparency, protecting the environment, sustainability and supporting our communities. We pride ourselves in caring about each and every one of our employees. We have a long‑term outlook and are constantly working to create an environment that inspires people to make positive contributions every day. Bigelow is currently looking for a select, talented individual, that shares our values, to join our growing team.
Job Title: Director, Research and Development
Work Location: Fairfield
Division/Department: Marketing
Reports to: Vice President, Marketing and R&D
Status: Full‑time | Exempt
Position Summary
At Bigelow Tea, product is at the heart of everything we do. The Director of Product Development will lead how we bring that commitment to life, evolving our core tea offerings while helping expand into new usage occasions and consumers.
This role is responsible for turning ideas into exceptional products, grounded in strong formulation, deep manufacturing understanding, and a relentless focus on quality. Working closely with Marketing, this leader will provide critical product and technical input to shape innovation, while owning the development and scale‑up of products.
Equally important, this person will build and lead a team that operates with curiosity, accountability, and pride in craft.
Key Responsibilities
Product Development
Lead the development of new and existing products from concept through scale‑up, ensuring they meet Bigelow’s high standards for quality, taste, and consistency
Translate innovation briefs into well‑developed, technically sound products
Provide practical, experience‑based input into product concepts based on feasibility, ingredients, and performance
Ensure every product reflects the Bigelow brand—thoughtful, high‑quality, and consumer‑focused
Core Product Craft & Optimization
Continuously elevate the quality and performance of Bigelow’s core tea bag portfolio
Lead improvements in flavor consistency, ingredient quality, and packaging performance
Identify opportunities to enhance value while protecting the integrity of the product
Bring a hands‑on, detail‑oriented approach to product excellence
Manufacturing & Scale‑Up
Bring deep manufacturing knowledge into product development decisions from the start
Lead scale‑up from bench to production, ensuring products are reliable and repeatable
Partner closely with internal operations and external co‑packers to develop products that work in real‑world conditions
Lead plant trials and solve problems proactively to ensure strong outcomes
Build, coach, and develop a team of product developers, many early in their careers
Create an environment where people feel ownership of their work and pride in the outcome
Encourage curiosity, experimentation, and continuous improvement
Set clear expectations and hold the team accountable to high standards
Ways of Working
Establish clear, effective approaches to product development that balance creativity with discipline
Bring structure and clarity to how work gets done—without slowing momentum
Ensure strong execution across multiple projects, with clear ownership and follow‑through
Partnership Across the Business
Work closely with Marketing to provide product insight and feasibility input as ideas are shaped
Partner with Supply Chain, Quality, and Regulatory to ensure products are developed responsibly and effectively
Act as the bridge between concept and product reality
Qualifications
Education
Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Engineering, or related field
Advanced degree preferred
Experience
10–15+ years in product development within CPG, ideally in beverages or adjacent categories
Strong track record of developing and improving products in manufacturing‑driven environments
Experience working with both internal manufacturing teams and co‑packers
Experience in tea, coffee, or similar categories preferred
What Sets You Apart
You bring both craft and practicality —you care deeply about the product and know how to make it work at scale
You’re as comfortable in a plant as you are in a development lab
You develop people, not just products
You create clarity and accountability without overcomplicating things
You’re energized by the opportunity to build, improve, and elevate
Travel Requirements
Travel as required for product development, customer meetings, research and internal collaboration. Up to 25%.
Bigelow Company Overview
Based in Fairfield, CT and 100% family and woman‑owned, the Bigelow Tea Company pioneered the specialty tea category over 80 years ago. The third‑generation company takes pride in its heritage and successful growth from a one‑product, entrepreneurial venture into America’s #1 leading tea company brand.
Bigelow Tea is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Bigelow Tea does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, non‑disqualifying physical or mental disability, national origin, veteran status, or any other basis covered by appropriate law.
Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.
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Worksite address
fairfield, CT, 06828, US
Who can apply
Review the original listing for work authorization, qualifications and employer requirements.