Research And Development Specialist

The People Co.; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive compensation

Comprehensive benefits package

Exposure to a broad flavors/ingredient

Collaborative and entrepreneurial work

Job summary

The People Co. is seeking an R&D Specialist to support innovative customer projects across food and beverage applications, driving product development, commercialization, and business growth.

You will develop and optimize beverage/food solutions using flavors and ingredients, collaborate with sales and customers from concept to commercialization, and ensure quality and regulatory compliance throughout the project lifecycle.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Food Science or related discipline.
• 3+ years of experience in product development, applications, or formulation within the food, beverage, flavor, ingredients.
• Strong project management, communication, and problem-solving abilities.

Responsibilities

• Develop and optimize beverage and/or food applications utilizing flavors, extracts, and specialty ingredients.
• Partner with Sales, other R&D associates, and customers to create innovative product solutions from concept through commercialization.
• Formulate, prototype, evaluate, and improve products based on customer objectives and market trends.
• Provide technical expertise and application support during customer presentations and product demonstrations.
• Troubleshoot formulation and processing challenges related to flavor performance, texture, stability, and functionality.
• Maintain project documentation and ensure compliance with quality, food safety, and regulatory requirements.
• Stay current on industry trends, emerging ingredients, and technologies within the beverage and confectionery categories.

Skills

Project management

Communication

Problem-solving

Education

Bachelor's degree in Food Science

Job description

Our client is a leading developer and manufacturer of ingredient solutions serving the food, beverage, and nutraceutical industries. They are seeking an R&D Specialist to support innovative customer projects across food and beverage applications while contributing to product development, commercialization, and business growth.

Responsibilities

• Develop and optimize beverage and/or food applications utilizing flavors, extracts, and specialty ingredients.
• Partner with Sales, other R&D associates, and customers to create innovative product solutions from concept through commercialization.
• Formulate, prototype, evaluate, and improve products based on customer objectives and market trends.
• Provide technical expertise and application support during customer presentations and product demonstrations.
• Troubleshoot formulation and processing challenges related to flavor performance, texture, stability, and functionality.
• Maintain project documentation and ensure compliance with quality, food safety, and regulatory requirements.
• Stay current on industry trends, emerging ingredients, and technologies within the beverage and confectionery categories.

The Ideal Candidate Will Have

• Bachelor's degree in Food Science or a related discipline.
• 3+ years of experience in product development, applications, or formulation within the food, beverage, flavor, ingredients.
• Strong project management, communication, and problem-solving abilities.

What We Will Offer

• A competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits package.
• The opportunity to work with a highly innovative portfolio of flavors and ingredients serving the food, beverage, and nutraceutical industries.
• Exposure to a wide range of customer-driven product development projects across beverage and confectionery applications.
• A collaborative and entrepreneurial environment where your technical expertise will directly influence innovation and business growth.