Zachary Evans
Portland,OR
Summary
Experienced product development professional with a strong background in confectionery formulation, recipe refinement, and commercialization support. Skilled in bench-scale testing, troubleshooting processing issues, and evaluating competitor products to guide strategic decisions. Proven ability to partner with QA, Food Safety, Operations, and regulatory teams to support compliant, repeatable results.
Overview
8
8
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Product Development Specialist
Wyld
Clackamas, OR
01.2022 - 10.2026
- Developed new edible formulations supporting product innovation and commercialization goals.
- Refined recipes to improve texture, flavor consistency, and manufacturability.
- Collaborated with QA, Food Safety, Operations, and regulatory teams to align formulations with compliance requirements.
- Supported ingredient qualification efforts by reviewing supplier samples and formulation compatibility.
- Conducted bench-scale testing to evaluate ingredient functionality and process performance.
- Coordinated scale-up trials to troubleshoot processing issues and ensure repeatable output.
- Evaluated competitor offerings to inform strategic decisions regarding pricing, features, and positioning.
Research & Development Associate
Wyld
Clackamas, OR
03.2019 - 01.2022
- Managed project documentation, maintaining accurate records for formulations, specifications, and revision control.
- Tracked development progress, escalating risks and resolving issues to protect launch schedules.
- Assisted Engineering, Food Safety, and Product Development with daily tasks
Education
Associate of Applied Science - Culinary Management
Oregon Culinary Institute
Portland, OR04-2017
Skills
- Product development expertise
- Data-driven decision making
- Innovative thinking
- Continuous improvement mindset
- Vendor relationship management
- Interdisciplinary collaboration
- Adaptability and flexibility
Timeline
Senior Product Development Specialist
Wyld
01.2022 - 10.2026
Research & Development Associate
Wyld
03.2019 - 01.2022
Associate of Applied Science - Culinary Management
Oregon Culinary Institute
UW Madison Candy School
A comprehensive, two-week intensive training program through the Department of Food Science that covers the processes, chemistry, and manufacturing technology of candy production.