Job Description: Food Product Development Specialist
Position Summary:
We are seeking a hands-on, entrepreneurial Food Product Development Specialist to support the creation, refinement, and launch of new products. This role is ideal for someone who thrives in a fast-paced, small-team environment where creativity, ownership, and cross-functional collaboration are essential. You will play a key role in bringing ideas from concept to commercialization while balancing speed, quality, and cost.
Key Responsibilities:- Lead and support the end-to-end product development process, from ideation through commercialization
- Formulate, prototype, and iterate products based on internal goals and consumer feedback
- Collaborate closely with Operations, Quality, Marketing, and Sales to ensure successful product launches
- Source and evaluate ingredients, materials, and suppliers aligned with cost and quality targets
- Conduct bench trials, plant trials, and scale-ups, ensuring consistency and feasibility
- Maintain accurate documentation including formulas, specs, and process procedures
- Ensure products meet regulatory, food safety, and quality standards (as applicable)
- Assist in continuous improvement of existing products (cost savings, quality, innovation)
- Stay current on industry trends, competitive products, and emerging technologies
Willing and able to build and standardization (SOPs, Work Instructions, One-Point Lessons, etc.)
Qualifications:- Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Product Development, Chemistry, Engineering, or related field (or equivalent experience)1–5 years of experience in product development or a related role (CPG or food preferred, but not required depending on company)
- Strong problem-solving skills with a bias toward action and iteration
- Ability to manage multiple projects in a lean, fast-moving environment
- Detail-oriented with strong organizational and documentation skills
- Comfortable working both independently and collaboratively across teams
- What Makes This Role Unique:
- High visibility and direct impact on the business
- Opportunity to own projects end-to-end, not just a one-step process
- Work closely with leadership and influence product direction
- Less bureaucracy, more speed and creativity
- Ability to wear multiple hats and grow with the company
- Preferred Traits
- Entrepreneurial mindset and adaptability
- Passion for building and improving products
- Strong communication skills across technical and non-technical teams
