Research & Development specialist

FERNA CORPORATION; Navotas; On-site; PHP 300,000 - 540,000; Full time

Job summary

FERNA CORPORATION in Navotas, Metro Manila is seeking a Product Development & R&D specialist to formulate new foods, tailor formulations per client needs, and replicate reference samples for quality matches. You will lead sensory, shelf-life testing and prepare technical docs to ensure regulatory compliance.

The role requires 2+ years in food manufacturing, strong MS Excel/Word skills, and a collaborative team approach to drive product innovation from concept to launch.

Qualifications

• 2+ years in food manufacturing; R&D experience advantageous.
• Bachelor’s degree in Food Technology or Food Science required.

Responsibilities

• Formulation Design: Formulate new products for general market launch, sourcing optimal raw materials.
• Client Customization: Tailor formulations to meet client preferences, specs, and taste profiles.
• Product Matching: Replicate reference samples to achieve best possible quality match.
• Benchmarking & Optimization: Audit market competitors to drive data-driven product improvements.
• Sensory Analysis: Organize and conduct sensory evaluation panels for product acceptability.
• Shelf-Life Testing: Coordinate shelf-life studies to verify stability and safety.
• Technical Documentation: Maintain Product Specifications, Ingredient Declarations, Process Flowcharts, and MSDS.
• Cost Management: Calculate product costing for new formulations and monitor material costs.
• Sampling & Approvals: Submit prototype samples to clients for commercial approval.
• Production Scaling: Oversee scale-up trials with Production Blending to troubleshoot processes.
• Lab Upkeep: Supervise lab operations to ensure safety and hygiene in R&D.
• Experience: 2 years in food manufacturing; R&D experience advantageous.
• Technical Skills: Proficiency in MS Excel and MS Word; strong analytical and troubleshooting skills.
• Core Competencies: Attention to detail, goal-oriented mindset, teamwork, and cross-functional communication.
• Drive Innovation: Conceptualize, design, and launch high-quality food products.
• Exceed Client Expectations: Develop customized formulations meeting customer requirements.

Skills

MS Excel

MS Word

Product costing

Analytical

Teamwork

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Food Technology

Bachelor’s degree in Food Science

Tools

MS Excel

MS Word

Job description

Key Responsibilities & Duties Product Development & Customization

• Formulation Design: Formulate new products for general market launch, proactively selecting and sourcing optimal raw materials.

• Client Customization: Tailor existing formulations to meet unique client preferences, technical specifications, and taste profiles.

• Product Matching: Replicate competitor or client-provided reference samples to achieve an exact or closest-possible match in overall quality.

• Benchmarking & Optimization: Periodically audit market competitors to execute data-driven product improvements.

Testing, Evaluation & Compliance

• Sensory Analysis: Organize and conduct sensory evaluation panels to ensure total product acceptability.

• Shelf-Life Testing: Coordinate and monitor shelf-life studies to verify product stability, safety, and expiration tracking.

• Technical Documentation: Author and maintain critical technical records, including Product Specifications, Ingredient Declarations, Process Flowcharts, and Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS).

Financial & Operational Support

• Cost Management: Calculate detailed product costing for newly approved formulations and routinely monitor material costs to maintain retail price stability.

• Sampling & Approvals: Prepare and submit prototype samples to clients to secure formal commercial approval.

• Production Scaling: Partner with the Production Blending department to oversee scale-up trials and troubleshoot new manufacturing process flows.

• Lab Upkeep: Supervise daily laboratory operations to maintain strict housekeeping, safety, and hygiene standards within the R&D division.

• Experience: Minimum of 2 years of experience in the food manufacturing industry; direct experience in Product Development (R&D) is highly advantageous.

• Technical Skills: Highly proficient in MS Excel and MS Word; strong analytical, product costing, and troubleshooting capabilities.

• Core Competencies: Keen attention to detail, goal-oriented mindset, strong teamwork skills, and the ability to communicate effectively across all organizational levels.

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in Food Technology, Food Science, or a related scientific discipline.

• Experience: Minimum of 1 to 2 years of relevant experience in Research and Development (R&D) in a Food Manufacturing.

Core Objectives

• Drive Innovation: Conceptualize, design, and launch high-quality food products that align with shifting consumer trends and market demands.

• Exceed Client Expectations: Develop customized formulations that satisfy precise customer requirements, quality benchmarks, and product specifications.