Senior Research and Development Specialist

​​​​The Senior Research and Development Specialist at Joy Baking Group leads the development, testing, and continuous improvement of bakery products to ensure high quality, consistency, cost efficiency, and innovation. This role manages cross-functional projects from concept through commercialization, coordinating timelines, resources, and stakeholders to deliver successful product launches. The position focuses on new product development, recipe optimization, ingredient research, and process improvement while ensuring compliance with food safety and quality standards. Additionally, the R&D Manager collaborates directly with customers and internal teams to understand requirements, provide technical support, and translate customer feedback into product solutions that meet market and business needs.​​​​​Develop new bakery products in line with company strategy, market trends, and customer preferences​Improve existing recipes to enhance taste, texture, shelf life, and nutritional value​Lead cross-functional product development projects from concept through commercialization, ensuring on-time and successful product launches​Conduct product trials, sensory evaluations, and benchmarking against competitors​Research new ingredients, raw materials, and baking technologies​Conduct laboratory and pilot-scale trials to validate formulations​Analyze test results and document findings clearly and accurately​Evaluate ingredient substitutions for cost reduction or supply continuity​Collaborate directly with customers and internal teams to gather requirements, provide technical support, and translate feedback into viable product solutions​Work closely with production teams to scale recipes from test kitchen to full production​Ensure all products meet food safety, regulations, and quality standards (HACCP, GMP, local food regulations)​Maintain accurate R&D documentation, recipes, and specifications​Support quality assurance during audits and product reviews​Coordinate with procurement on ingredient sourcing and supplier evaluation​Support operations with technical guidance and training​​Must be highly motivated, able to follow directions, and able to perform assigned work duties independently with minimal supervision Communicate effectively and collaborate with internal departments and external stakeholders to coordinate activities, share information, and ensure alignment with organizational objectivesAble to manage multiple projects with timelines Able to analyze and present complex information effectively Able to problem solve and source solutions across multiple areas of work Must have strong organizational skills and ability to analyze / interpret technical information, mathematical concepts, and form conclusions ​​​Must have a good understanding of the food industry, market trends, and competitive landscape​​​Able to adapt to changing market conditions and business priorities ​​​Must be able to travel to visit vendorsBachelor’s degree in food science, Food Technology, Baking Science, or a related fieldMinimum of 5 years of hands-on experience in bakery research and development, food manufacturing, or product developmentProven experience working within large-scale or industrial baking operationsPrior experience in cookie development and production is highly preferredStrong technical expertise in baking ingredients, formulations, and production processesUSD $105,000.00 - USD $135,000.00 /Yr.

Created: 2026-03-02