Research and Development Associate

Research & Development and Sourcing Associate Food Manufacturing

Location : Richmond, CA (Hybrid)

Employment Type : Full-Time, Direct Hire

Compensation : $72,000 $94,000 per year

Benefits : 401(k), vacation, sick leave, and paid holidays

About the Role

A respected food manufacturing organization based in Richmond, CA is seeking a Research & Development and Sourcing Associate to join its innovation-driven team. This hybrid position provides the opportunity to work on the development and commercialization of new food products while growing within a dynamic environment. The role combines hands-on formulation, compliance, and sourcing responsibilities to support successful product launches across retail and foodservice channels.

Key Responsibilities

• Recipe Development : Support formulation and testing of new recipes and product iterations, including sample preparation, sensory evaluations, and pilot testing.
• Regulatory Compliance : Create and validate nutrition facts panels, ingredient statements, and allergen declarations in line with USDA, FDA, and other relevant regulations.
• Packaging Coordination : Assist in ensuring packaging meets regulatory standards and functional requirements while supporting brand consistency.
• Ingredient & Supplier Sourcing : Identify, qualify, and manage suppliers for ingredients and packaging materials that align with quality, cost, and availability targets.
• Product Commercialization : Contribute to cross-functional projects from concept through launch, supporting technical documentation and development timelines.
• Documentation & Records Management : Maintain detailed records of formulations, raw material specifications, supplier certifications, and regulatory files.
• Product Integrity : Conduct internal product audits to verify adherence to quality and compliance standards.
• Innovation Research : Monitor industry trends in food, nutrition, and packaging to support pipeline development and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration : Work closely with teams including Operations, Quality Assurance, Marketing, and Procurement to ensure efficient execution of projects and launches.

Qualifications

Education :

Experience :

Technical Skills :

Additional Information

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