Bakery Product Development Specialist

Aerotek; Richmond (CA); On-site; USD 55,000 - 62,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Weekly pay

Medical, dental & vision

401(k) plan

Life insurance

Employee discounts

Job summary

Aerotek is seeking a Bakery Product Development Specialist for a 5-6 month contract in Richmond, CA. This hands-on R&D role focuses on formulation, pilot plant trials, and scaling bakery and oil-based products from concept to commercialization.

You will collaborate with R&D, operations, quality and commercial teams, conduct bench-top experiments, perform texture and shelf-life testing, prepare technical reports, and ensure GMP and food safety standards. Immediate start with pay $40-$45/hr.

Qualifications

• 3–10+ years of bakery product development or formulation experience.
• Degree in Bakery Science, Food Science, Culinology, Culinary Arts, or Pastry Arts.
• Experience developing breads, cakes, cookies, pastries, donuts, tortillas, or related baked goods.
• Strong knowledge of bakery ingredients, fats, oils, emulsifiers, and shortenings.
• Experience with bench-top formulation, pilot plant trials, and commercial scale-up.
• Ability to analyze data, solve technical challenges, and communicate findings effectively.
• Knowledge of GMPs, food safety programs, and quality systems.
• Strong written, verbal, and project management skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop and optimize bakery and oil-based product formulations.
• Conduct bench-top experiments, pilot plant trials, and product evaluations.
• Scale formulations from prototypes to commercial manufacturing.
• Analyze test results and provide technical recommendations.
• Perform texture analysis and shelf-life testing.
• Prepare SOPs, technical reports, and product specifications.
• Operate and maintain bakery lab and pilot plant equipment.
• Collaborate with R&D, operations, quality, and commercial teams.
• Support customer-focused development projects and presentations.
• Maintain accurate project records and documentation.
• Ensure GMP, food safety and lab safety compliance.

Skills

Bakery product development

Data analysis

Project management

Communication

Education

Bakery Science

Food Science

Culinology

Culinary Arts

Pastry Arts

Job description

5-6 month project can start asap

Copilot said:

Bakery Product Development Specialist

Contract Opportunity | 5-6 Month Project | Immediate Start Available

We are seeking a Bakery Product Development Specialist to support the development of innovative bakery and oil-based products from concept through commercialization. This is a hands-on R&D role focused on formulation, product optimization, pilot plant trials, and scaling bakery products for commercial production.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and optimize bakery and oil-based product formulations.
• Conduct bench-top experiments, pilot plant trials, and product evaluations.
• Scale formulations from culinary prototypes to commercial manufacturing.
• Analyze test results and provide technical recommendations.
• Perform texture analysis, shelf-life testing, and quality evaluations.
• Prepare SOPs, technical reports, and product specifications.
• Operate and maintain bakery lab and pilot plant equipment.
• Collaborate with R&D, operations, quality, and commercial teams.
• Support customer-focused development projects and technical presentations.
• Maintain accurate project records and documentation.
• Ensure compliance with GMP, food safety, and laboratory safety standards.

Required Qualifications

• 3-10+ years of bakery product development or formulation experience.
• Bakery Science, Food Science, Culinology, Culinary Arts, or Pastry Arts.
• Experience developing breads, cakes, cookies, pastries, donuts, tortillas, or related baked goods.
• Strong knowledge of bakery ingredients, fats, oils, emulsifiers, and shortenings.
• Experience with bench-top formulation, pilot plant trials, and commercial scale-up.
• Ability to analyze data, solve technical challenges, and communicate findings effectively.
• Knowledge of GMPs, food safety programs, and quality systems.
• Strong written, verbal, and project management skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Formal Culinology certification or culinary training.
• Experience within a CPG, ingredient supplier, or food manufacturing environment.
• Customer-facing technical support or application development experience.
• Experience leading R&D projects from concept through commercialization.

Work Environment

This position combines work in a bakery laboratory, pilot plant, manufacturing facility, and office setting. Candidates should be comfortable with hands‑on product development, pilot production trials, standing for extended periods, and lifting up to 50 lbs.

Why Apply?

• 5-6 month project with immediate start opportunity.
• Hands‑on product innovation and commercialization experience.
• Collaborative R&D environment.
• Opportunity to work on a diverse range of bakery and oil‑based products.
• Direct impact on new product development and customer‑facing innovation initiatives.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract position based out of Richmond, CA.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $40.00 - $45.00/hr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job‑related factors.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your jobclassification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may besubject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefitsavailable for this temporary role may include the following:

Medical, dental & visionCritical Illness, Accident, and Hospital401(k) Retirement Plan Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions availableLife Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)Short and long-term disabilityHealth Spending Account (HSA)Transportation benefitsEmployee Assistance ProgramTime Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Richmond,CA.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Oct 7, 2026.

About Aerotek

Aerotek® Inc. provides staffing and services solutions in manufacturing, logistics, construction, aviation, facilities and maintenance. We provide the expertise, solutions and people required to rise to the challenges of North American industry. Headquartered in Hanover, Md., Aerotek operates a unified network of over 200 offices across North America, supporting more than 18,000 clients each year. Aerotek is an Allegis Group company, the global leader in workforce and business solutions. To learn more, visit: Aerotek.com | 1-888-AEROTEK.

Aerotek offers weekly pay, employee benefits including medical, dental & vision, life insurance, health advocacy and employee assistance programs, a 401(k) plan, and employee discounts.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regards to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance:

Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector:

It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI):

We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.