R & D Product Development Specialist

GENERAL SUMMARY

This is a salaried position in City of Industry, CA that reports to the R&D Supervisor. Designs & creates new products 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.

SCOPE OF JOB FUNCTION

• Research & develop dressings & sauces that are in trend with consumer preference for new product profiles as per specific customer request.
• Coordinate with customers for needed changes on development samples; provide revisions as per customer timeline.
• Develop label formats per customer specifications, USDA labeling & standard of identity compliance. 
• Ensure that product formulations comply with regulatory & industry standards, studies the microbiological, physical, & chemical properties of finished products & ingredients. 
• Conduct HACCP analysis on new raw materials used for product development as well as new finished products developed.
• Develop detailed mixing instructions to ensure that products are manufactured optimally & consistently meet the specifications. 
• Create nutrition label & ingredient statements in compliance with NLEA (Nutrition Labeling Enforcement Act); ensure compliance with nutrition label claims. 
• Ensure that checklist for new product development is completed before product launch, emphasis on batch check & packaging specifications.
• Work with the Mix Deck mixers & helpers during the first 3 productions of new products to ensure that correct materials are used, validate recipe & mixing instructions.
• Update mix deck recipe to include new products approved or changes as per SCR to be consistent with ROSS.
• Complete Private Label Specification as per customer required Formats (Ready Pac, Tropical Smoothie, Longo’s, etc.) including web site specs up-date.
• Evaluate raw material substitutes for specs deviation typically due to shortage or supplier issues; done by actual product application & group sensory.
• Develop re-work order for complicated products put “On Hold- MRB;” non-compliance that needs actual product application confirmatory test.
• Evaluate results of competitive product analysis to benchmark GFF products against competition. 
• Shelf-life studies on challenge studies.
•  SOP/SSOP review & development.
• HACCP risk assessment. 
• Other duties as assigned.

SKILLS/KNOWLEDGE/EXPERIENCE

REQUIRED:

• Must have a Degree in Technical Course (Food Science, Chemistry, Microbiology, etc.) or equivalent work experience.
• 2-3 years’ experience in Product Development position.
• Skilled in statistical charts & data analysis.
• Good communication, leadership, & interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work well with team members & other departments.

DESIRED:

• Knowledge of manufacturing environment & practices.