Food Product Development Technician

Red Oak Technologies; Dublin (CA); On-site; USD 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A food technology company is seeking a hands-on Food Product Development Technician to support product testing and sensory evaluations. This role is crucial for sourcing and preparing food samples, coordinating sensory panels, and documenting evaluation results. Candidates should have a Bachelor’s in Food Science or relevant experience, ServSafe certification, and strong organizational skills. Proficiency in MS Office and the ability to work in a fast-paced environment are essential.

Qualifications

• ServSafe certification required.
• 0–3 years of food handling, kitchen, or product testing experience.
• Comfortable tasting a wide range of food products.

Responsibilities

• Source, receive, inventory, and organize food samples.
• Prepare, plate, and serve food samples.
• Coordinate and support sensory panels and product evaluations.

Skills

Organization

Attention to detail

Ability to manage multiple priorities

Food product tasting

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Food Science or related field

HS diploma with 4+ years of food service experience

Tools

MS Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint)

Job description

Overview

We are seeking a hands‑on Food Product Development Technician to support product testing, benchmarking, and sensory evaluations. This role plays a key part in ensuring product samples are properly sourced, prepared, evaluated, and documented to support product development decisions.

Key Responsibilities

• Source, receive, inventory, and organize food product samples for evaluations and comparisons
• Prepare, plate, and serve food samples according to detailed preparation instructions
• Coordinate and support sensory panels and product evaluations, including setup and cleanup
• Document evaluation results, feedback, and photos for reporting and next‑step decisions
• Maintain sample tracking systems and project documentation
• Ensure test kitchens and sensory spaces are cleaned and sanitized per SOPs
• Communicate status, timelines, and issues to product development and sensory teams

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Food Science or related field OR HS diploma with 4+ years of food service experience
• ServSafe certification required
• 0–3 years of food handling, kitchen, or product testing experience
• Comfortable tasting a wide range of food products (no significant food aversions)
• Strong organization, attention to detail, and ability to manage multiple priorities
• Proficient in MS Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint)
• Ability to lift up to 40 lbs and work in a fast‑paced kitchen/lab environment