R&D Product Development Specialist

Key Responsibilities

• Analyze current manufacturing processes to identify inefficiencies and improvement opportunities.
• Lead SKU rationalization efforts across ingredients, recipes, and finished goods to reduce complexity and identify cost-savings opportunities while ensuring product quality and compliance.
• Develop and evaluate formulations, ingredient specifications, and production processes.
• Lead trials and validations for new processing methods, technologies, and ingredients.
• Prepare concept products on R&D bench, and graduate concepts to manufacturing environment.
• Partners with cross-functional teams (QA, Operations, Engineering) to implement scalable and sustainable solutions.
• Develop and update SOPs and process control parameters to ensure product consistency and regulatory compliance.

Data-Driven Improvements

• Analyze and interpret production data to assess performance, yield, and quality, and communicate insights and recommendations to the team.
• Apply statistical tools (e.g., root cause analysis, SPC) to diagnose process issues and implement corrective actions.
• Support cost-reduction and waste minimization initiatives with a cross-functional team through innovative process design.

Product Development Support

• Affiliate in the development of new food products from concept through commercialization, ensuring alignment with company goals, market needs, and consumer preferences.
• Lead the creation and ongoing improvement of product specification sheets, partnering cross-functionally to ensure all product attributes, formulations, and requirements are accurately documented.
• Facilitate the transition of new formulations from lab-scale to full production.
• Evaluate ingredient performance and ensure compatibility with current manufacturing systems.
• Align process changes with sensory, nutritional, and regulatory expectations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Engineering, or a related field (Master’s degree preferred).
• Equivalent combinations of education and relevant work experience will be considered.
• 3–5 years of experience in food manufacturing, process engineering, or R&D.
• Strong working knowledge of food safety systems and applicable regulatory requirements.
• Proficiency in data analysis tools and continuous improvement techniques (e.g., Lean, Six Sigma).
• Effective communication, project management, and cross-functional collaboration skills.
• Strong project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple projects at once.
• Proficiency with product development tools, customer portals, project management software and MS Office suite.

Personal Attributes

• Strong analytical, math, and problem-solving skills.
• Detail-oriented with a focus on quality and compliance.
• Proactive and positive attitude.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively within a team.
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage deadlines.

Pay & Benefits

Starting salary range: $69,500 - $110,600 USD
Pay offered dependent on knowledge, skills, experience, and location.
Benefits include:
- Annual target bonus program
- 401(k) company contribution with company match up to 5%
- Starting at 3 weeks paid time off
- 10+ calendar holidays
- Up to 12 weeks paid parental bonding leave
- Employee assistance program
- Comprehensive healthcare plans and wellness programs
- Pet insurance, legal shield and identity theft protection
- Short-term and long-term disability plans.