Job Description

Here is your revised Job Description for an R&D Food Scientist

Job Title: Research & Development (R&D) Food Scientist

Department: Research & Development

Reports To: Director of R&D / R&D Manager

FLSA Status: Exempt

Overview:

A leading meat and plant-based food manufacturer is seeking a Research & Development (R&D) Food Scientist to support product formulation, quality assurance, and ingredient sourcing. This role is responsible for developing new food formulations, refining existing recipes, sourcing high-quality ingredients, and ensuring compliance with food safety and regulatory standards.

The ideal candidate brings a strong background in food science, chemistry, and sensory evaluation, with experience in both traditional meat and plant-based product development. This individual will collaborate closely with cross-functional teams to ensure product excellence and alignment with evolving consumer trends and industry innovations.

Primary Responsibilities:

Product Development & Formulation

• Develop, optimize, and refine formulations for new and existing meat and plant-based food products.
• Conduct research on ingredient functionality, nutritional content, and food chemistry to enhance product performance.
• Establish product specifications, processing instructions, and standard operating procedures (SOPs).
• Collaborate with production teams to ensure seamless scale-up from lab to manufacturing.

Ingredient Sourcing & Vendor Management

• Research and evaluate ingredient suppliers based on quality, availability, and cost-effectiveness.
• Build and maintain relationships with vendors to ensure a stable and high-quality ingredient supply chain.
• Ensure sourced ingredients meet internal and external standards for safety, quality, and compliance.

Food Safety & Quality Assurance

• Design and implement testing protocols to assess product safety, consistency, and shelf stability.
• Conduct sensory evaluations (taste, texture, aroma, appearance) to optimize product performance.
• Collaborate with the QA team to ensure all products meet USDA, FDA, and third-party food safety requirements.
• Support validation testing and documentation to ensure compliance and extended shelf life.

Research, Innovation & Regulatory Compliance

• Monitor industry trends, ingredient innovations, and food science research to drive continuous improvement.
• Explore and implement emerging technologies and techniques such as sustainable packaging and clean-label solutions.
• Ensure formulations comply with regulatory and labeling standards.
• Maintain thorough documentation of product trials, test results, and formulation changes.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner with Marketing and Sales teams to provide technical insight into product functionality and differentiation.
• Work with Production and Operations to resolve technical issues and improve manufacturing efficiency.
• Interface with suppliers, third-party labs, and regulatory agencies as needed for compliance and certifications.

Qualifications:

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Food Technology, Chemistry, or a related field required.
• 1–3 years of experience in food product development or manufacturing required.
• Experience with both meat and plant-based product development is highly preferred.

Knowledge & Skills

• Strong foundation in food chemistry, microbiology, and sensory analysis.
• Familiarity with ingredient functionality, quality systems, and food safety standards.
• Working knowledge of USDA, FDA, and HACCP regulations.
• Experience with laboratory testing, data analysis, and documentation.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, especially Excel; experience with R&D software preferred.
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) is strongly preferred.

Work Environment & Physical Requirements

• Work may be performed in laboratory, production floor, and office environments.
• Must follow biosecurity and PPE protocols while handling ingredients or food products.
• May be exposed to cold storage areas and food processing equipment.
• Occasional domestic and international travel may be required.

Opportunities for Growth

• Gain industry certifications in HACCP, sensory science, or food safety.
• Expand expertise in clean-label innovation, sustainability, and functional ingredients.
• Advance into senior-level or leadership roles within the R&D and innovation function.

Let me know if you'd like this tailored further for a job board, PDF formatting, or translated into Spanish for a bilingual audience.

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