Food Scientist

YSQ International; Singapore; On-site; SGD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

YSQ International is seeking a creative Food Scientist to spearhead innovation in plant-based food product development in Singapore. The successful candidate will develop new formulations and processing technologies, collaborate across teams, and ensure products meet regulatory standards. Candidates should possess a degree in Food Science and 3-5 years of relevant experience. Strong project management skills and a collaborative mindset are essential for success in this role.

Qualifications

• Minimum 3–5 years of experience in food product development, especially in plant-based or alternative proteins.
• Demonstrated expertise in formulation science and process development.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop and formulate new plant-based food products.
• Identify and evaluate novel raw materials for product applications.
• Ensure compliance with food safety and regulatory standards.

Skills

Project management

Ingredient functionality

Multitasking

Collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Food Science

Job description

We are looking for a creative and resourceful Food Scientist to lead innovation in plant-based food product development. This role will be responsible for creating novel formulations, developing new processing technologies, and sourcing innovative raw materials to deliver high-quality, nutritious, and scalable plant-based food products. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in food science and a passion for sustainable and clean-label innovation. This role involves cross-functional collaboration with commercial, flavour, regulatory, and production teams to bring innovative, sustainable products to market.

• Develop and formulate new plant-based food products (e.g., meat, dairy, or egg alternatives) from concept to commercialization.
• Identify and evaluate novel raw materials, ingredients, and functional components suitable for plant-based product applications.
• Develop and optimize new food processing methods (e.g., high-moisture extrusion, fermentation, thermal processing etc) tailored for plant-based matrices.
• Design and perform experiments to evaluate the performance of formulations, including texture, flavor, shelf life, and nutritional profile.
• Conduct laboratory-scale trials and translate results into pilot and production-scale processes.
• Collaborate with suppliers and procurement teams to source innovative, sustainable, and cost-effective ingredients.
• Work with sensory teams to assess flavor, texture, appearance, and nutritional performance.
• Ensure all new formulations comply with food safety, quality, and regulatory standards in target markets.
• Maintain detailed technical documentation, including formulations, test reports, and SOPs.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams (marketing, QA, production, procurement) to ensure successful product development and launch.
• Stay up to date with emerging trends, technologies, and scientific developments in the plant-based food industry.
• Other ad-hoc tasks / projects assigned by Senior Management/Board member

Requirements

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Food Science, Food Technology, Food Engineering, or related field.
• Minimum 3–5 years of experience in food product development, preferably with a focus on plant-based or alternative proteins.
• Demonstrated expertise in formulation science, ingredient functionality, and process development.
• Experience in pilot plant operations and commercial scale-up.
• Working knowledge of regulatory and labeling standards for food products in domestic and international markets.
• Strong project management skills, with the ability to seek innovative solutions, drive continuous improvement of products and processes, and deliver results on time.
• Proven ability to design and conduct experiments, actively learn, and troubleshoot issues from bench-scale through to full-scale production.
• Capable of working in a fast-paced environment, with strong multitasking and prioritization skills.
• Demonstrates self-motivation, a strong work ethic, and the ability to perform effectively with minimal supervision.
• Collaborative mindset with a proven ability to work effectively in cross-functional teams.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to clearly convey technical information.