Senior R&D Specialist

Job Description

Senior R&D Specialist – Confectionery

A Master’s degree in Food Science and Technology and at least five years of direct experience in the research and development of confectionery products, including sweets and chocolate, are required. Candidates without specialized R&D experience in this industry will not be prioritized for review.

Responsibilities

* Lead new product development (NPD) projects from concept through industrial production.
* Develop, reformulate, and optimize confectionery and chocolate products.
* Evaluate raw materials and their impact on product quality, flavor, texture, stability, and cost.
* Design and conduct laboratory tests, pilot trials, and production trials.
* Manage scale-up and the transfer of products from the laboratory to industrial production.
* Design and conduct stability and shelf-life studies.
* Investigate quality and process issues and develop practical technical solutions.
* Optimize formulations and production processes to improve quality and reduce cost.
* Review initial production results and resolve formulation or process deviations.
* Prepare and maintain formulations, technical specifications, and product documentation.
* Collaborate with Production, Quality Control, Laboratory, Marketing, and Procurement teams.
* Stay informed about new technologies, ingredients, and trends in the confectionery industry.

Requirements

* Master’s degree or higher in Food Science and Technology from a reputable university.
* At least five years of direct R&D experience with confectionery products.
* Strong knowledge of confectionery and chocolate production technologies and processes.
* Proven experience in formulation, reformulation, and new product development.
* Ability to assess the performance of raw materials in finished products.
* Hands-on experience scaling products from laboratory trials to industrial production.
* Experience designing and conducting laboratory, pilot, stability, and shelf-life tests.
* Strong ability to diagnose quality and process problems.
* Analytical thinking, creativity, sound technical judgment, and the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.