R&D Specialist - Packaging

Nissin Foods; Gardena (CA); On-site; USD 67,000 - 72,000; Full time

Job summary

Nissin Foods USA is seeking an R&D Specialist to support product development and production activities, including creating samples for internal and external customers. Responsibilities span formulation, testing, and commercialization documentation to ensure food safety and quality.

The role requires a BS in nutrition, food science, or related field and 2+ years in R&D within the food industry. Salary range is USD 67,000–72,000 per year, based in Gardena, CA.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in nutrition, food science, or food technology, or equivalent experience.
• 2+ years of related experience in R&D or food industry.

Responsibilities

• Understand cuisines and analyze and formulate soups.
• Support product development from concept to launch, including formulation and prototype evaluation.
• Select materials and negotiate prices to reduce material costs.
• Design and test products for shelf-life, flavor, color, texture, and nutrition.
• Conduct tests and analyze results for product development improvements.
• Research consumer trends and taste preferences for validation.

Skills

MS Office

MS Excel

MS Teams

MS Outlook

Analytical thinking

Communication

Bilingual preferred

Education

Bachelor’s degree in nutrition, food science, or food technology

Tools

Microsoft Excel

ERP System

Job description

The R&D Specialist position encompasses a critical support role by managing and executing the product development and production activities. This area of responsibility is required to successfully produce R&D package product samples for both internal and external customers.

Responsibilities

• Understand variety of cuisines and be able to explain, analyze and formulate soup, in both creative and traditional fashion. Benchmark with other companies’ products.
• Perform activities relevant to the product development process, which may include but not limited to conceptualization, formulation and prototype evaluation, optimization and standardization, cost calculation, commercial translation and product launch.
• Select new materials and negotiate prices for new materials and current materials, updating material list or vendors as needed with the goal of reducing the cost of the current materials.
• Design and test products to ensure shelf-life stability and all aspects of product (flavor, color and texture, nutritional content etc.).
• Conduct variety of applicable tests and analyses on products to determine inherent properties and present analysis of results to the department for further product development and improvement.
• Research consumer awareness or trends, relating to product development (including legal issues). Execution of research on consumer taste preference through validation internally and/or externally.
• Collaborate with process engineers, plant management, marketing specialists and external customers in order insure projects remain on schedule and within budget.
• Conduct production trials to ensure successful launch of new and revised products.
• Monitor production to confirm plant capability and conformance to design criteria and train plant operation.
• Understand general requirements of laws and regulations related to but not limited to food labeling and food additives.
• Report and present oral and written updates including product demonstrations to team and customers.
• Prepare all necessary document such as, but not limited to, test report, Standard Formulation, Standard Process, any other necessary standard/process in commercialization and ensuring food safety.
• Manage materials (including the purchase and shipping of lab apparatus) and supply inventory.
• Other job duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree (B.S.) or equivalent combination of education and experience. B.S. degree in nutrition, food science, or food technology is preferred.
• 2+ year related experience in Research and Development or related field in the food industry.

Preferred Qualifications

• Language Skills: Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations. Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers, and the general public. Bilingual is preferred.
• Mathematical Skills: Ability to work with mathematical concepts such as probability and statistical inference, and fundamentals of plane and solid geometry and trigonometry. Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations.
• Computer Skills: proficient in Microsoft Office with emphasis on Excel, PowerPoint, Word, Teams and Outlook, ERP System.
• Reasoning Ability: Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form. Ability to define and to compartmentalize problems, causes, variables, actions taken.

Pay Range

USD $67,000.00 - USD $72,000.00 /Yr.

About Us

It started with the inspiration of the creator of instant noodles, founder Momofuku Ando, in 1958. Since we entered the U.S. in 1970, our flagship brands, Cup Noodles, and Top Ramen have maintained a firm foothold in U.S. pop culture. We invite you to join Team Nissin to support this legacy of innovation and to deliver noodle happiness to consumers, employees, partners, and the community in a meaningful and sustainable way. Let’s evolve how people think about instant ramen as you discover opportunities for professional growth while being part of this $4 billion global company built from a simple block of noodles.

Nissin Foods (USA) Co., Inc. is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, or sex including sexual orientation and gender identity, national origin, disability, protected Veteran Status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

As a federal contractor, Nissin Foods participates in the federal government’s E-Verify program, which confirms employment authorization of all newly hired employees through an electronic database maintained by the Social Security Administration and Department of Homeland Security. The E-Verify process may be completed in conjunction with the Form I-9 Employment Eligibility Verification to check the work authorization status of persons who have been offered employment at Nissin Foods. E-Verify is not used as a tool to pre-screen candidates. For up-to-date information on E-Verify, go to www.uscis.gov.

If you are a qualified individual with a disability or a disabled veteran, you have the right to request an accommodation if you are unable or limited in your ability to use or access our career center as a result of your disability. To request accommodation, contact Nissin Foods (USA) Co., Inc. Human Resources.