Research And Development Technician

Location:

Chicago, IL

Shift: 1st Shift | Monday–Friday

Compensation: $20–$26/hour

Required:

Prior experience in Research & Development within a food manufacturing environment

Language Requirement:
Must be bilingual in English and Spanish

A well-established food manufacturing company is seeking a Bilingual R&D Technician to support product development, documentation, and cross-functional quality initiatives. This role will partner closely with Production, Quality, and external suppliers to ensure product integrity, compliance, and successful commercialization. The ideal candidate is hands-on, detail-oriented, and comfortable communicating with both internal teams and external vendors.

• Support new product development initiatives from concept through commercialization, including snacks, flatbreads, and partner-branded products
• Execute bench-top, lab, and pilot-scale trials; adjust formulations to meet target taste, texture, nutrition, shelf life, and cost parameters
• Own and maintain accurate documentation, including formulations, trial results, SOPs, specifications, and change records
• Collaborate with Production, QA/QC, Packaging, and Operations to ensure manufacturability, quality standards, and smooth scale-up
• Assist with food safety, quality, labeling, and regulatory compliance in alignment with internal standards and customer requirements
• Conduct sensory evaluations, shelf-life studies, and competitive product benchmarking
• Interface with ingredient and packaging suppliers regarding specifications, quality concerns, and corrective actions
• Support investigation and resolution of supplier-related quality issues, including documentation review and follow-up communication
• Communicate effectively with vendors and suppliers in both English and Spanish as needed
• Assist with supplier qualification, ingredient sourcing, and continuous improvement initiatives

• 1–3 years of experience in food product development, R&D, or a related role within a food manufacturing environment
• Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Food Technology, Chemistry, Nutrition, or a related field preferred
• Bilingual proficiency in English and Spanish (written and verbal)
• Strong documentation, organizational, and attention-to-detail skills
• Ability to communicate professionally with internal teams and external suppliers
• Hands‑on, adaptable, and comfortable working in a fast‑paced manufacturing setting