Food R&D Specialist: Formulation & Scale-Up

Workstream; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 60,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

Craftory is seeking a Food Research & Development Specialist to drive formulation, testing, and continuous improvement in our food manufacturing operation. You will collaborate with Operations, Quality, and Supply Chain to move concepts from idea to shelf.

This hands-on role covers benchtop development, pilot trials, and scale-up, ensuring products meet quality, safety, cost, and regulatory standards, including FDA and labeling requirements.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Food Technology, Chemistry, or related field.
• 2+ years in food R&D, product development, or food manufacturing.
• Hands-on formulation, testing, and basic lab equipment.
• Strong documentation and organizational skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop and refine food formulations for new products, line extensions, and reformulations.
• Conduct bench-top, pilot, and plant trials, documenting procedures, observations, and results.
• Partner with Operations and Engineering to support scale-up and commercialization of R&D concepts.
• Work closely with Quality and Regulatory teams to ensure products meet FDA, USDA, GMP, HACCP, and labeling requirements.
• Perform ingredient evaluations, shelf-life studies, sensory testing, and cost optimization analyses.
• Maintain accurate formulation records, specifications, SOPs, and trial documentation.
• Support supplier collaboration, ingredient sourcing, and evaluation of alternative raw materials.
• Troubleshoot product and process issues related to texture, flavor, stability, yield, or shelf life.
• Assist in maintaining R&D lab organization, safety standards, and sanitation protocols.
• Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives across product quality and manufacturing efficiency.

Skills

Food formulation

Documentation

Cross-functional communication

Project management

Analytical skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Food Science

Tools

Formulation software

Excel

Job description

Craftory is seeking a Food Research & Development Specialist to drive formulation, testing, and continuous improvement in our food manufacturing operation. You will collaborate with Operations, Quality, and Supply Chain to move concepts from idea to shelf.

This hands-on role covers benchtop development, pilot trials, and scale-up, ensuring products meet quality, safety, cost, and regulatory standards, including FDA and labeling requirements.