R&D Specialist

Company Description

KANZEN MEAL (U.S.A.), INC. is inspired by the Japanese philosophy of balance, where complementary elements create harmony rather than conflict. The company focuses on achieving an optimal balance of proteins, fats, carbohydrates, and micronutrients to support overall well-being. KANZEN MEAL brings this vision to life by developing Optimized Nutrient-Dense Meals that are both flavorful and health-focused. The brand emphasizes satisfaction of both body and mind, aiming to make complete, convenient nutrition accessible to modern consumers.

The R&D Specialist supports product development and commercialization activities within a Consumer-Packaged Goods (CPG) environment. This role is responsible for food formulation, product evaluation, process development, and plant trial support to deliver manufacturable products.

The successful candidate is expected to demonstrate initiative, logical problem-solving skills, and the ability to work independently while collaborating effectively with cross-functional teams.

The following duties are considered essential to the job. Qualified individuals must have the ability- with or without reasonable accommodation- to perform the following duties but not limited to:

• Understand various cuisines and develop, analyze, and formulate products through both traditional and innovative approaches. Benchmark competitor products.
• Perform product development activities, including concept development, formulation, prototype evaluation, optimization, standardization, cost calculation, commercialization, and product launch. Product categories include frozen, chilled, and dry foods.
• Assist in evaluating new materials and work with suppliers and procurement teams and current materials, updating material lists 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 products (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 on 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 supply chain management (SCM), R&D department at Nissin Foods (USA), process engineers, plant management, marketing specialists and external customers in order ensure 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 quality control and set appropriate quality standards for products.
• Understand general requirements of laws and regulations related to but not limited to food labeling and food additives. Collaborate with external regulatory consultant to understand regulations.
• Report and present oral and written updates including product demonstrations to teams and customers.
• Prepare all necessary documents 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.
• Maintain R&D equipment, monitor maintenance needs, and ensure a clean and organized kitchen, laboratory, and storage environment.
• Receive/Send documents & packages and file request forms.
• Other job duties as assigned.
• Train assigned associate and check completeness and quality of his/her work and report an immediate supervisor about his/her performance.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with…