R&D - Food Scientist II

Pulmone•Fullerton, CA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Food Scientist II is responsible for leading new product development and continuous improvement initiatives for the plant-based food category, with a focus on tofu products. This role manages projects from concept through commercialization, collaborates with cross-functional teams and external partners, oversees quality and manufacturing process improvements, and drives innovation to deliver safe, high-quality, and cost-effective products that meet consumer and business needs. The position also supports supplier and co-packer development, monitors market trends, and applies food science expertise to enhance product performance and operational excellence.

Requirements

B.S degree in food science/food technology or similar is required.
Minimum 7 years of relevant work experience in a food manufacturing company.
Knowledge and experience working with vendors for new ingredient/alternate supplier sourcing.
Experience in food product development and commercialization, with experience in processing and process flow design.
Proficiency in MS Office and strong verbal and written communication skills
Self-directed with the ability to work independently as well as with cross-functional groups.

Nice To Haves

Plant based food or tofu industrial experience preferred.
Food packaging application experience a plus.
Experience with NPD process a plus.
Bilingual in Korean a plus.

Responsibilities

Manage new product development from concept through commercialization for Plant based food category, with a focus on tofu.
Provide product excellence management from manufacturing process improvement and co-packing products as assigned.
Maintain development and maintenance of QMS for assigned products.
Lead process improvement for quality and cost reduction; troubleshoot for product quality and productivity; monitor product quality and improvement of co-packing and import items in the areas needed.
Research and identify new materials, suppliers, and co-packers for new projects and existing product lines.
Work with vendors, process engineers, food scientists, packaging engineers, R&D chefs and marketing specialists to understand available technology and provide ideas, solutions, and alternatives to meet food safety, quality, costs, and customer requirements.
Identify prospective co-packers as needed for NPD project assigned, conduct scale-up testing and launch products working cross-functionally.
Provide update of progress and status of all formal R&D projects by utilizing project management skill sets in line with NPD process.
Maintain awareness of market trends and comparative products from all major retailers/competitors and recommend product development ideas in line with those trends and coordinate interdepartmental activities.
Apply a wide range of food science and technology, microbiology and chemistry knowledge to identify the root-causes of product defects and propose preventive actions.
Assist with special project assignments as needed.