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Ajinomoto Foods North America, Inc. · 23 hours ago

R&D Manager, Product Development

Ontario, CA

Full-time

Onsite

Mid, Senior Level

$110K/yr - $120K/yr

Ajinomoto Foods North America, Inc. is seeking an R&D Manager for Product Development to oversee new product development and quality improvement initiatives. The role involves managing projects from concept to manufacturing scale-up, collaborating with various departments, and ensuring successful execution of product transfers.

Food and BeverageFood ProcessingManufacturing

Responsibilities

Execute the development of new products while continuously enhancing quality to meet company and customer specifications, considering available resources such as ingredients, production equipment, processes, and personnel

Collaborate with and advise sales, marketing, and customer service representatives on new product requirements and specifications, target product quality, and resolution of customer complaints

Manage various aspects of product development, including cost analysis, packaging design, photo shoots, and other R&D initiatives

Create new and improved product samples for internal testing and provide prototypes to potential clients

Conduct product testing in the test kitchen, develop specific processing methods in the laboratory, and finalize them through Commercial Production (CP) tests in the production facility

Develop and implement monitoring methods and procedures for projects, including preparing records for expenditures, research findings, progress reports, and staff meetings to keep management informed of project status

Follow the New Product Introduction (NPI) process, developing recipes, production control sheets, and procedures for approval during product assessments

Support the presentation of new products and technologies to customers by providing technical assistance as requested by the marketing department

Cultivate and maintain relationships with vendors and customers, understanding their needs and identifying opportunities for growth, innovation, and improvement

Participates in the organization, planning, and coordination of production transfer programs

Provide support in ensuring effective execution of product transfers with all relevant departments

Coordinates and ensures that every requirement in the evaluation process is strictly adhered to and met and is given the assessment Management committee's approval

Track and collaborate with cross-functional teams on cost savings measures to ensure the company meets its total delivered cost goals

Monitor cost savings throughout the process and report results to management

Collaborate with other departments to develop and implement innovative strategies for reducing costs and maintaining a competitive advantage

Manages multiple projects, new product development, continually improving, production transfer, profitable improvement, and technology development in the assigned product category

Responsible for the execution of projects with multiple direct reports by collaborating with cross-functional departments

Partners with Sr. Manager or Director of Product Development to develop strategies of specialty product and technology development, profitable improvement, and these execution plans

Manage, coach, and educate R&D Staff in order to promote and cultivate highly talented, knowledgeable, and motivated team members in the department

Oversees and promotes the professional growth of one's immediate reports. Provides them with appropriate duties and opportunity for progress

Ensures a safe and efficient work environment in the R&D laboratory and kitchen

Qualification

Food chemistryMicrobiologyProcess engineeringFood product developmentProject managementResearch methodologiesStatistical analysisExperimental designRecipe formulationCulinary experienceTeam development

Required

Strong foundation in food chemistry, microbiology, and/or process engineering

Advanced expertise in research methodologies, statistical analysis, and experimental design

Extensive experience in the full cycle of food product development, from recipe formulation and ingredient selection to factory-scale commercialization

Culinary experience is an asset, with proven success in formulating and developing recipes, and managing products from benchtop to commercial launch

Skilled in assessing team members' capabilities and fostering opportunities for growth and development

Proven project management experience, with the ability to set priorities and drive multiple projects to successful outcomes

Willingness to travel, with flexibility to accommodate up to 25% travel annually, based on business and project needs

Benefits

Annual bonus

Company

Ajinomoto Foods North America, Inc.

As a leading manufacturer in the frozen food industry, we create delicious, high-quality frozen foods that make it easy for families across North America to live healthy, balanced lives.

Founded in 2015