Chocolate Technologist

Lindt & Sprüngli (Canada), Inc; San Leandro (CA); On-site; USD 84,000 - 109,000; Full time

Job summary

Ghirardelli is seeking a Chocolate Technologist with a background in Product Development and 3–5 years in the chocolate industry to take products from concept to commercialization.

The role involves developing new products, renovating formulas, and supporting confections projects such as chocolate squares, seasonal shapes, and bars. You will prepare benchtop samples, conduct shelf life studies, support sensory tests, and manage supplier setups and trials.

Qualifications

• 3–5+ years of product development taking concepts to commercialization.
• Experience formulating and renovating chocolate products.
• Ability to work independently and grow in the field.

Responsibilities

• Develop and/or renovate product formulas for internal or co-manufactured products.
• Create hand-made/bench top samples of new or existing products.
• Collaborate with external ingredient suppliers.
• Lead plant trials and analyze data with written reports and recommendations.

Skills

Product development

Formulation

Sensory evaluation

Data analysis

Education

BS in food science or related field

Tools

Benchtop sampling

Job description

WHO WE ARE
At Ghirardelli, we honor tradition and drive innovation, aiming to be the top choice for premium chocolate. Our commitment to Making Life A Bite Better inspires both our products and the way we do business. We support personal and professional growth, recognizing that each employee’s contribution directly impacts Ghirardelli’s growth and success. Join our dynamic team and help shape Ghirardelli’s future.

Job Summary

The Chocolate Technologist is someone with a background in Product Development that ideally has at least 3-5 years of experience in the chocolate industry taking products from concept to commercialization. They should have experience in formulating and renovating chocolate products as well as some experience overseeing these projects. They should be starting to work independently and possess a desire to grow and develop further in this field.

The Chocolate Technologist has a degree in food science or a closely related degree field, and will support the confections business (chocolate squares, seasonal shapes and bars) on projects that can include but are not limited to: developing new products and the renovation of existing formulas and ingredients in order to achieve product improvements or supply assurance. The Chocolate Technologist also prepares benchtop samples, conducts shelf life studies, supports sensory evaluation tests, executes raw material supplier set up and qualification, maintains accurate development records, executes factory trials, writes reports and makes recommendations.

• Develop and/or Renovate product formulas (internal or co-manufactured) and ingredients as needed in order to meet company objectives and quality requirements
• Create hand-made/bench top samples of new and/or existing products
• Collaborate with external ingredient suppliers
• Independent and working knowledge of innovation stage gate process and use of all product and recipe systems
• Independently analyze data and write technical reports with recommendations
• Independently plan and lead plant trials (internal or co-manufactured)

Minimum Education & Experience Required

• BS in food science, food technology, chemistry, chemical/biological/food engineering or closely related degree required
• 3-5+ years of related experience in Product Development taking products from concept to commercialization
• Previous industrial chocolate experience heavily preferred

Physical, Mental, & Environmental Requirements

• Occasional to Constant Repetitive Fine Manipulation (keyboarding, writing, sample making)
• Rare to Occasional Simple Grasping
• Occasional to Constant Sitting
• Rare to Occasional Walking
• Occasional twisting of the neck and waist
• Occasional to Constant Reaching at or below the Shoulder level
• Ability to travel to various locations across the country or local travel to meetings
• Occasional to Frequent usage of verbal communication equipment (telephone, radio, cellular)
• Rare to occasional squatting (filing & retrieving files) Rare to Occasional ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds.

Salary Range: $83,800 - $108,929