R& D Food Scientist

Job Type: Location Type: On-site

 

Position Summary:

The R&D Food Scientist at Calbee America is responsible for leading product development efforts across our branded portfolio (e.g., Harvest Snaps, Asian-Style Chips), as well as supporting our Co-Manufacturing (OEM) and Private Label (PB) businesses.

This role will drive innovation, quality improvements, and cost-saving initiatives, while providing technical support to internal teams and external partners. The R&D Food Scientist plays a vital role in commercialization-from concept to plant trials-ensuring accurate formulations, process capability, and smooth product launches.

Key Responsibilities:

Research & Development

• Manage formulation development from bench-top through commercialization, including financial tracking of ingredient costs.
• Document all R&D activities accurately and on time.
• Conduct validation studies, support start-ups, and provide on-site technical assistance for plant-led initiatives.
• Drive innovation by proposing new product concepts, quality enhancements, and cost savings opportunities.
• Manage multiple projects with shifting priorities and business deadlines.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams (Marketing, QA, Engineering, Supply Chain, Procurement, Sales) to ensure product alignment with business goals.
• Refine and standardize raw material specifications; develop and maintain a centralized database for cross-functional access.
• Audit and correct existing BOMs to ensure accuracy and alignment with actual processes.

Food Safety & Compliance

• Ensure compliance with all applicable regulations including OSHA, EPA, FDA, HACCP, and SQF.
• Apply relevant SQF standards in day-to-day product development and commercialization processes.

Required Qualifications & Skills:

• Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Culinary Science, Food Process Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or related field.
• Minimum 3 years of experience in Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG); experience with extruded or fried snacks preferred.
• Passion for food science and product development; consumer- and customer-focused mindset.
• Demonstrated success in commercializing snack products.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills; ability to collaborate effectively across teams and with external partners.
• Experience with potato, pulse, rice, or corn-based snacks a plus.
• Conversational Japanese or Spanish desirable but not required.
• High attention to detail and ability to adapt in a dynamic environment.

Calbee North America is an equal opportunity employer dedicated to a policy of non-discrimination in employment on the basis of race, color, age, sex, religion, national origin, disability, veteran status, citizenship, ancestry, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital or familial status or any other legally protected status.