Research & Development Officer

JOB SUMMARY

The Research & Development (R&D) Officer conducts product development and improvement and process innovation, as well as other R&D activities that may be assigned by the R&D Brand Lead. These activities include but are not limited to the design, formulation and commercialization of new products, quality improvement of existing products, process improvement and innovation, product costing, GS consistency and sustainability initiatives, product regulatory reviews and analyses of food materials and finished products.

The R&D Officer works closely with the R&D Brand Lead to ensure that the goals of product taste superiority, sustainability and food safety are achieved.

• Knowledge of Food Material Properties and Functional Ingredients: Apply knowledge of food material properties, functional ingredients and food additives when developing product formulas and processes and evaluation of alternative ingredients. Conduct continuous research on food properties and new trends in food material science as relevant to the needs of the assigned project.
• Culinary Techniques: Develop and apply classic and contemporary culinary techniques to product and process specifications, resulting into finished products that meet target product acceptability with consistent quality and sustainability.
• Food Quality and Safety: Design parameters to achieve Gold Standard product quality and execution at the commissary, supplier and store levels through developed and specified product and process standards to support high level FSC. Apply Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) to the end-to-end process of product development (from formulation, to commercialization, to store use). Apply knowledge of food microbiology and food chemistry in the development of product standards and process parameters relative to food safety.
  
  Ensure that quality and safety are built into product design.
• Formulation and Process Development and Optimization: Design products that meet the requirements of the company and its customers. Develop formulas and processes for new and improved products. Perform timely activities relevant to the product development process for efficient and on-time achievement of product launches as budgeted, which may include but not limited to conceptualization, formulation and prototype evaluation, optimization and standardization, material sustainability evaluation, product cost calculation, commercial translation and product launch.
• Food Processing Technology and Commercialization: Effectively translate formulas and processes from lab scale to commercially prepared food products at the manufacturing and store levels using current food processing technology, as may be required. Work directly with internal commissaries and external toll processors and vendors and store operations to ensure that commercial products meet JFC standards. Prepare product guides, instructional materials, teaching aids and conduct product simulation and training as needed for effective transfer of technical information to end users.
• Food Packaging Properties and Functions: Recommend design and material specifications, evaluate and select appropriate food packaging based on knowledge of material properties & functions relative to the product application. Determine packaging regulatory compliance and fit to product requirements.
• Preservation and Shelf Life Principles: Conduct shelf life evaluation of raw materials and finished products to ensure food safety and consistent sensory and nutritional quality of products within standardized storage and shelf life.
• Methods of Analyses of Food Properties: Conduct variety of applicable microbiological tests and physico-chemical analyses on food products to determine inherent properties and provide analysis of results and recommendation for further product development and improvement.
• Sensory Evaluation and Sensometrics: Apply methods of sensory evaluation and sensometrics to support requirements in ensuring consistent product quality and taste superiority. Prepare sensory analysis reports and provide recommendation on technical product specifications as required.
• Food Nutrition Fundamentals: Determine nutritional content of food materials using standardized methods and apply knowledge of nutrients in food and food ingredients relative to formulation and process development and improvement.
• Food Standards, Laws and Regulations: Access, apply and ensure compliance to federal, state, local and international government and industry regulations pertaining to standards on food safety, nutrition, food preparation, processing, packaging, labeling, transport and handling, and other requirements in the food supply chain. Review the proper representation or translation of developed products in merchandising and marketing collaterals through print and media shoots, product and material descriptions, marketing copy and claims.
• Business Knowledge and Acumen: Demonstrate awareness and alignment on the…