R&D Specialist

Job Summary

The R&D Specialist is responsible for driving innovation and development of new food and beverage products and enhancing existing offerings to align with the company's vision of providing affordable, high-quality products. This role involves researching industry trends, testing and refining recipes, optimizing operational processes, and collaborating with suppliers for product development and technology transfers. The R&D Specialist also ensures proper documentation of product specifications, storage guidelines, and reheating/preparation instructions, while supporting quality assurance and compliance initiatives.

Key Responsibilities

Product Development

• Research, develop, and test new food items that meet market demands and customer preferences.
• Refine recipes to achieve target taste, quality, and consistency.
• Ensure all new products are aligned with the company's brand standards and positioning.
• Evaluate samples from third-party suppliers and collaborate with them for product improvements and tech transfers.

Menu Optimization

• Continuously evaluate and enhance existing menu items based on customer feedback and sales performance.
• Partner with Operations to optimize preparation processes for efficiency and consistency.
• Streamline recipes to reduce waste and improve cost-effectiveness.

Market and Trend Analysis

• Monitor industry trends, consumer behaviors, and competitor products to identify innovation opportunities.
• Benchmark offerings against competitors to ensure relevance and competitiveness.
• Translate insights into actionable development strategies.

Supplier and Ingredient Research

• Work with Procurement to identify cost-efficient, high-quality ingredients.
• Source and test new raw materials for feasibility and production consistency.

Process Improvement & Documentation

• Develop and maintain SOPs for product preparation, rollout, and handling.
• Document product specifications, storage and handling requirements, and reheating instructions.
• Keep detailed records of trials, test results, and process improvements.

Quality Assurance & Compliance

• Coordinate with Quality Management to validate product safety, shelf-life, and compliance with standards.
• Address quality-related feedback and issues promptly in collaboration with the QA team.

Administrative & Support Tasks

• Prepare reports on R&D activities, testing outcomes, and project timelines.
• Manage inventory of ingredients and testing materials for trials.
• Coordinate with cross-functional teams for product launch readiness.
• Perform other related duties as assigned by the immediate supervisor.

Core Competencies

• Strong knowledge of food and beverage product development processes.
• Attention to detail for precise documentation and testing.
• Familiarity with food safety standards, regulatory requirements, and quality testing.
• Proficiency in data analysis and reporting tools.
• Creativity and innovation to develop unique and appealing product concepts.
• Analytical thinking for interpreting market data and testing results.
• Collaboration skills for working across departments, including procurement, quality assurance, and operations.
• Project management skills to handle multiple R&D projects simultaneously.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Food Technology, Food Science, Culinary Arts, or a related field.
• 2-3 years of experience in R&D, preferably in the food and beverage industry.
• Proven track record of successful product launches or menu optimization projects.
• Strong understanding of market trends and consumer behavior.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office, Google Workspace and other data management tools.

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Benefits:

• Life insurance
• Opportunities for promotion
• Paid training
• Pay raise
• Promotion to permanent employee

Work Location: In person