Product Developer

King's Hawaiian; Torrance (CA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

King’s Hawaiian is seeking a Product Developer for our Innovation & Commercialization team. You will partner with chefs, engineers, marketing, and supply to create, test, and scale new products for national launches, ensuring shelf-stable, regulatory-compliant concepts.

You will lead rapid prototyping, develop material specifications, and manage multiple projects with internal and external partners, reporting progress to leadership.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in food science, food technology or closely related field.
• 3+ years of progressively responsible experience in R&D and new product development.
• Knowledge and experience in baking and cereal sciences (2+ years).

Responsibilities

• Participate in designing and testing prototypes with chefs and third parties.
• Scale up products for limited introductions and national launches.
• Develop specifications for raw materials, controls, and finished goods.
• Manage scale-up trials and train production teams on processes.
• Collaborate with suppliers on material characteristics and troubleshoot performance.
• Ensure shelf stability and food safety through lab testing and compliance checks.
• Prepare labeling that complies with FDA/USDA and customer requirements.
• Lead multiple projects and provide timely reporting to stakeholders.
• Collaborate with internal teams and third-party manufacturers for commercialization.

Skills

Food science

R&D

Product development

Baking science

Project management

Education

Bachelor's in Food Science

Job description

Joining King’s Hawaiian makes you part of our `ohana (family). We are a family-owned business for over seventy years, respecting our roots while thinking about our future as we continue to grow and care for our customers and the communities we serve. Our `ohana members build an environment of inclusivity as they freely collaborate, pursue learning through curiosity, and explore innovation as critical thinkers. Beyond that, we are also passionate about supporting the long-term health and well-being of our employees and their families. If you’re excited to rise with our team, come and join our `ohana!

At KING’S HAWAIIAN® we create unique and irresistible foods that people love beyond reason. We are not in the business of copying mainstream products or pursuing short-term trends. Our goal is to create new, long-term value to market with consumer-led innovation ideas. This role will report to the Manager, Product Development and be a part of a multi-disciplinary Innovation & Commercialization team with a start-up type culture. With a team of Food Scientists and other Product Developers, this individual will partner with experienced chefs to create new products and recipes for commercialization, while also working with Process and Packaging Engineers, Marketing Insights, and Production to produce these new products.

Who Are You?

The Product Developer is an idealist, researcher, designer, and builder. Your imagination and problem solving combines new ingredients and flavors, alters methods and processes, and crafts new products that have never been tasted before. Your creations tell stories and create moments of irresistibility for people.

• Curious – you break boundaries and do not settle for the status quo. You have an instinctive desire to always dig deeper. Your curiosity leads you to think differently and try new things.
• Persistent – you do not settle for mediocracy and have an unmatched determination to solve your complex problems. You always strive for perfection and cannot rest until you’ve carried out your mission.
• Courageous and Agile– you like to jump and take risks! You recognize that the future cannot be shaped without taking leaps forward. You trust your beliefs and see every failure as an opportunity.
• Self-starter and Proactive– the world of innovation and ambiguity does not scare you. You know how to self-manage. You are a leader and initiator. You do not wait around for someone else to step up.
• Foodie and a Scientist – you LOVE food. Food is one of your passions in life. You love to try new foods, experience cuisines from different cultures, and gather with others to break bread. You also love science and are an expert food scientist with passion for new technologies in the food industry.
• Collaborator- You are willing to find solutions by trusting others and get energized while working in a team environment. You are not afraid to take responsibility for the mistakes and don’t hesitate to give credit to other contributors. You are an active listener!

Essential Job Duties And Responsibilities

• Participate in the identification, design, development, creation, and testing of product prototypes.
• Collaborate with chefs and third parties to create recipes with the ability to scale up for both limited introductions as well as national product launches.
• Assist with developing rapid prototypes to explore with consumers in real purchase and consumption environments.
• Assist with developing specifications for all raw materials, process controls, and finished goods.
• Manage scale up trials of products and work closely with Production leaders to train on process.
• Work closely with King’s ingredient and packaging suppliers on the technical characteristics of King’s materials and troubleshoot ingredient performance.
• Participate in testing and ensuring food concepts are shelf stable and food safe. Work with 3rd party labs to test and analyze products.
• Develop and maintain FDA and USDA food product labeling that complies with regulatory requirements and/or customer requirements. Produce product specification sheets.
• Manage several projects simultaneously.
• Creatively solve technical problems in a rapid, efficient manner.
• Assist in pipeline prioritization and technical assessment of future innovation projects & ideas.
• Collaborate with Concept Developer Chefs, Marketing, Innovation Insights, R&D Process Engineers, Operations, Procurement, and Packaging Engineers in the Innovation product development process.
• Deliver accurate product trial details and collaborate with the Innovation Project Lead to guarantee accurate and on-time set up of factory trials.
• Ensure accurate and timely reporting of product development activities to key stakeholders.
• Collaborate and team up with third party manufacturing facilities to scale up and test products for commercialization.
• Perform other duties as required or assigned which are reasonably within the scope of this role.

Basic Qualification (education And/Or Experience)

• Bachelor’s degree in food science, Food Technology, or a closely related field from an accredited 4-year college. Higher education (e.g., Master of Science) in Food Science, Food Technology or a closely related field is preferred.
• 3+ years of progressively responsible experience in R&D and new product development
• Knowledge and experience in baking and cereal sciences (2+ years).

Physcial Requirements

• Ability to lift 50 lbs
• Ability to stand 2-3 hours

Additional Qualification (job Skills, Abilities, Knowledge)

• Understanding of the process and methods for developing and commercializing shelf-stable foods.
• Knowledge and understanding of baking and cereal science.
• Understanding of physical properties and chemical composition of food and ingredients.
• Understanding of extensive areas of food science and technology and experimental procedures
• Proficient ability to work with culinary or corporate chefs.
• Working understanding of different methods of packaging (retort, aseptic, UHT, Hot/Cold Pasteurization, MAP)
• Working understanding of Project management – plan, coordinate, communicate progress and challenges, execute project activities.
• Proficient ability to work with third party manufacturers (co-manufacturers, co-packers) in developing products.
• Expert ability to muti-task and contribute to many projects at the same time.
• Ability to seek and be open to new experiences with different food from other cultures and enjoy foods in a different way. Does not settle with mediocre products.
• Ability to consistently demonstrate King’s values of excellence, dignity, saying it like it is in a way it can be heard; and curiosity, collaboration, critical thinking and emotional intelligence.
• Ability to travel up to 10%.

This is an on-site role 5 days a week.

The compensation range is $110,000 to $130,000 plus a potential bonus. The final offer will ultimately depend on several factors.

King's Hawaiian is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for our ohana.