Research & Development Innovation Specialist

HACO Culinary•La Puente, CA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

This is a salaried position at City of Industry, CA that reports to the R&D Manager. Designs & creates innovative products for breakthrough concept developments or alters & improves existing products; use chemistry, microbiology, engineering, & other sciences to study the principle underlying the processing & deterioration of products. Develops specifications & ensures products are produced in compliance with established quality parameters. Supports transition of new products from bench top to production scale. Ensures that new products developed meet all regulatory & customer requirements; follows HACCP steps to ensure product safety & stability. The Research & Development Innovation Specialist keeps abreast of emerging food trends, consumer preferences, and innovations in ingredients or technology to inspire new product ideas. Combines knowledge of food science, technology and consumer trends to create new product profiles that are industry breakthroughs. Research & creates innovative products for new concepts of dressing & sauces that are in trend with consumer preferences; foods that are tastier, healthier, safer or more convenient.

Requirements

Degree in Technical Course (Food Science, Chemistry, Microbiology, etc.) or equivalent work experience.
2-3 years’ experience in Research and Product Development position.
Skilled in statistical charts & data analysis.
Good communication, leadership, & interpersonal skills.
Ability to work well with team members & other departments.
Strong Math skills.
Advanced Excel, spreadsheet, PowerPoint presentations capabilities.

Nice To Haves

Knowledge of manufacturing environment & practices.
Dressing & Sauces manufacturing experience.
Food Processing Technology background.
Knowledge of CFR/FDA Regulatory Compliance.

Responsibilities

Designs & creates innovative products for breakthrough concept developments or alters & improves existing products.
Uses chemistry, microbiology, engineering, & other sciences to study the principle underlying the processing & deterioration of products.
Develops specifications & ensures products are produced in compliance with established quality parameters.
Supports transition of new products from bench top to production scale.
Ensures that new products developed meet all regulatory & customer requirements; follows HACCP steps to ensure product safety & stability.
Keeps abreast of emerging food trends, consumer preferences, and innovations in ingredients or technology to inspire new product ideas.
Combines knowledge of food science, technology and consumer trends to create new product profiles that are industry breakthroughs.
Researches & creates innovative products for new concepts of dressing & sauces that are in trend with consumer preferences; foods that are tastier, healthier, safer or more convenient.
Coordinates with customers for needed changes during the development process; provide revisions with sense of urgency to ensure compliance with customer timeline.
Ensures that product formulations comply with regulatory & industry standards, studies the microbiological, physical, & chemical properties of finished products & ingredients.
Conducts HACCP analysis on new raw materials used for product development as well as new finished products developed.
Develops detailed mixing instructions to ensure that products are manufactured optimally & consistently meet the specifications.
Improves manufacturing processes to be more efficient, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly without compromising product quality.
Conducts lab tests and trials to ensure that food products are safe, stable, and high in quality. This includes sensory evaluation and nutritional analysis.
Creates nutrition label & ingredient statements in compliance with NLEA (Nutrition Labeling Enforcement Act); ensure compliance with nutrition label claims.
Develops product & packaging specifications, including label formats per customer specifications, USDA labeling & standard of identity compliance.
Ensures that the checklist for new product development is completed before product launch, emphasis on batch check & packaging specifications.
Works with the Mix Deck mixers & helpers during the first 3 productions of new products to ensure that the correct materials are used, validate recipe & mixing instructions.
Updates mix deck recipe to include new products approved or changes as per SCR to be consistent with ROSS.
Completes Private Label Specification as per customer required formats, including completion of customer portal requirements for new products approved or specs up-date.
Evaluates raw material substitutes for specs deviation typically due to shortage or supplier issues; validated through actual product application & group sensory.
Develops re-work order for complicated products put “On Hold- MRB;” non-compliance that needs actual product application confirmatory test.
Evaluates results of competitive product analysis to benchmark GFF products against competition.
Travel is needed to support new product launches, customer presentations, attend conferences or for purchases of R&D-related supplies (approx. 20% of the time).
Creates & submits RFC( for costing), NPSU (for approved products).
Conducts shelf-life studies and/or product challenge studies.
Reviews and develops SOP/SSOP.
Conducts HACCP risk assessment.
Performs other duties as assigned.