Research and Development Specialist

The Research and Development Specialist will support the department's goals, particularly those involving product innovation, cost reduction, process improvement, documentation and regulatory and brand compliance. The R&D Specialist is expected to work across different disciplines within the organization, face internal clients and work with suppliers.

· Conduct product evaluation for raw material alternatives, food and beverage finish goods and food retail items
· Evaluate functionality of packaging materials
· Facilitate trial and evaluate functionality of alternative restaurant equipment, tools and other utensils
· Keep updated on food and beverage trends thru research, supplier ideation sessions and market insight reports and translate these trends to workable product concepts
· Attend, facilitate and assist in food and beverage ideation and innovation sessions with suppliers, stakeholders and other key people
· Do in-restaurant / on-site validation studies of approved product recipes and bill of materials
· Attend and facilitate new product presentation to key stakeholders
· Work with the corporate Chef and/or R&D Manager to devise and develop processes to turn product and beverage concepts into tangible products
· Document recipes and other operational procedures together with the Training Department.
· Document product quality-related issues, discuss with key stakeholders and issue appropriate Corrective and Preventive Action (CAPA) Requests to suppliers.
· Monitor effectiveness of CAPA request, specifically supplier compliance and consistency in product quality
· Prepare reports related to product and packaging evaluation, product costing / bill of materials, quality disposition reports and others related
· Lodge RBI-related reports and requests such as supplier accreditation requests, supplier performance monitoring, nutritional information report and others related via the current knowledge management system
· Plan, monitor and lead projects as assigned
· Do other related activities as required
Bachelor's degree in Food Science and Technology, Nutrition and Dietetics, Culinary Arts and other allied professions.
· At least one year work experience in food manufacturing, food service, and hotel and restaurant operations with focus on Research and Development, Quality Assurance or Production Management.
· Fresh graduates are also encouraged to apply
· Comfortable with client-facing roles and comfortable working in a multicultural team
· Training in pastry, beverage, cooking or specialty coffee preparation is preferred but not required

Other Competencies:

· Strong written and verbal communication skills in English are required - must be able to effectively communicate with internal and external executive-level management and foreign work-counterparts
· Good presentation and reporting skills are required
· Strong cross-functional project management skills
· Collaborative and team-oriented with good listening skills.
· Resourceful with strong organizational, analytical skills and attention to detail
· Product-focused with a strong drive for results and passion for excellence in execution
· Proven ability to anticipate problems, understand root causes and provide solutions
· Able to prioritize and manage multiple projects simultaneously from start to finish
· Must be a very strong team player capable of working in a fast-paced environment.