Specialist, Research and Development

Position Overview: We are seeking a passionate and innovative R&D Bakery Specialist to join our dynamic team. This role is ideal for someone

with a strong background in pastry, baking science, and product development who thrives in a collaborative environment and

is capable of developing product formulations that effectively translate into profitable new business opportunities. The ideal

candidate will have hands-on experience in bakery formulation, ingredient functionality, and taking products from concept to

full-scale commercialization. The incumbent will plan, organize, execute, and complete product development projects of

moderate scope. This role will interface frequently with various internal departments (i.e., marketing, purchasing,

engineering, operations, quality, and sales), vendors, and customers in accomplishing project milestones. The incumbent will

work directly with the plant’s Quality Assurance department to ensure USDA/FDA regulation compliance within the

manufacturing processes. The incumbent will leverage the research lab, pilot lab, manufacturing facilities, and equipment as

required to deliver on project objectives. The individual in this role will work independently and with teams to develop

solutions to a variety of technical problems.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Generate concepts and produce high-quality product prototypes to enable new and further existing business.
• Develop and refine bakery formulations and processes from concept to commercialization. Including benchtop prototyping, lead in-plant line trials, and full-scale first production runs.
• Assure projects’ compliance with internally established business processes and external regulatory agencies.
• Monitor industry trends, new ingredients, consumer preferences, and emerging ingredients to propose innovative product ideas and improvements.
• Apply baking science and ingredient functionality knowledge to troubleshoot product issues and optimize formulations for taste, texture, shelf life, and cost.
• Collaboratively work with internal and external cross-functional teams.
• Support customer presentations and product demonstrations as needed

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Generate concepts and produce high-quality product prototypes to enable new and further existing business.
• Develop and refine bakery formulations and processes from concept to commercialization. Including benchtop prototyping,
• lead in-plant line trials, and full-scale first production runs.
• Assure projects’ compliance with internally established business processes and external regulatory agencies.
• Monitor industry trends, new ingredients, consumer preferences, and emerging ingredients to propose innovative product
• ideas and improvements.
• Apply baking science and ingredient functionality knowledge to troubleshoot product issues and optimize formulations for
• taste, texture, shelf life, and cost.
• Collaboratively work with internal and external cross-functional teams.
• Support customer presentations and product demonstrations as needed.

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in Culinary Arts, Bakery Science, Baking & Pastry, or related field.
• Culinary degree from an RCA-accredited institution or equivalent experience, preferred.
• 3–5 years of experience in bakery product development or commercial baking environment, with a focus on formulation development, scale-up from benchtop to industrial scale runs, and familiarity with large-scale bakery equipment.
• Strong understanding of ingredient functionality, baking processes, and food safety standards.
• Excellent problem-solving, communication, and project management skills. -
• Self-motivated with the ability to work independently and in a team-oriented environment.
• Familiarity with regulatory requirements and labeling (FDA, USDA, etc.) is a plus.

Competencies and Skills:

• Ability to work independently as well as with a team.
• Up-to-date knowledge in food trends and current cooking techniques.
• Ability to create bakery concepts on a benchtop that replicate full-scale manufacturing capabilities.
• Ability to communicate technical issues fluidly across functions: operations, marketing, R&D, sales, and with customers.
• Capable of independently and effectively presenting samples to customers and potential business stakeholders.

Physical Demands:

• Able to work in cold and wet environments for prolonged time.
• Able to independently lift and handle 30 lb packages.
• Able to travel up to 10% of the time.