R&D Bread Specialist

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Full Time G3 Commerce, CA, US

2 days ago Requisition

Salary Range: $31.25 To $37.50 Hourly

JOB TITLE:

R&D Bread Specialist

REPORTS TO:

R&D Senior Manager

Job Type

DEPARTMENT:

R&D

LOCATION:

Commerce, CA 90040

SUMMARY

The Bread R&D Specialist is responsible for developing new bakery products, improving existing products, managing product quality, and supporting commercialization. This role is involved throughout the entire product development lifecycle, from concept development and testing to production implementation, launch, and post-launch quality management.

Working closely with cross-functional teams, the Bread R&D Specialist helps ensure product quality and consistency while developing products that align with brand strategy, operational capabilities, and cost targets.

JOB DUTIES include but are not limited to the following:

New Product and Application Development

• Develop new products, primarily in the sweet bread and donut categories, across imported frozen dough, Georgia plant-manufactured products, RTB products, and locally sourced OEM products.
• Develop new applications and product variations using existing dough platforms.
• Prepare product prototypes and conduct formulation, process, sensory, and quality evaluations.
• Research market trends and competitor products and propose new product concepts.

Product and Ingredient Quality Management

• Evaluate the quality, consistency, and production feasibility of new and existing products.
• Use analytical equipment to evaluate the characteristics of flour, dough, and finished products and interpret test results.
• Identify quality variations and defects in imported frozen dough and finished products and support corrective actions.
• Lead quality improvement, product renewal, and specification optimisation projects for existing products.
• Evaluate alternative ingredients when ingredient changes or supply issues occur and conduct testing to improve formulation, mixing, proofing, baking, and frozen-storage stability.

Commercialization and Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Support pilot testing, production implementation, store launches, and post-launch improvements.
• Review ingredient and manufacturing costs and optimise formulations and product specifications to meet target costs.
• Collaborate with Marketing, Supply Chain, and Procurement to support product launches, ingredient sourcing, supplier management, and the communication of product information.
• Provide technical support related to product quality and manufacturing processes at the Georgia plant and store locations.

Documentation and Training

• Create and maintain product formulations, manufacturing procedures, product specifications, test records, store manuals, training materials, and quality evaluation standards.
• Document product testing and quality evaluation results and communicate findings to relevant departments.
• Support training for Production, Quality Control, and store teams on new product preparation procedures and quality standards.
• Ensure compliance with applicable food safety, allergen, and internal documentation requirements throughout the product development process.

Qualifications

• Degree or formal training in Baking and Pastry Arts, Food Science, Food Engineering, or a related field.
• Professional experience in bakery product development, manufacturing, or quality management.
• Knowledge of ingredients and manufacturing processes for bread, frozen dough, and RTB products.
• Ability to prepare prototypes, conduct formulation and process testing, analyse results, and maintain organised technical documentation.
• Strong cross-functional communication…