RD Specialist

Key Responsibilities

• Independently lead development of new menu items and products from concept through recipe development, testing, validation and launch.
• Work closely with chefs and Marketing to develop products meeting consumer, brand and commercial requirements.
• Optimize recipes for taste, quality, consistency, operational feasibility and food cost.
• Design and conduct product trials and analyze results to determine the best formulation/process.
• Validate cooking and production processes under actual restaurant/store conditions.
• Design and execute shelf-life validation and recommend storage, handling and usage conditions.
• Develop, review and improve SOPs, recipes, specifications and operating guidelines.
• Source and evaluate new ingredients, materials and suppliers and identify suitable alternatives.
• Analyze and optimize food cost while maintaining product quality and consumer experience.
• Visit stores to identify product/process problems and develop improvement solutions.
• Conduct root-cause analysis and independently solve product, ingredient and process-related problems.
• Coordinate with QA, Operations, Procurement, Marketing and suppliers to resolve issues and deliver projects.
• Provide technical guidance and coaching to junior RD officers.
• Support product launches, photoshoots, events, training and other commercial activities.
• Monitor market and food trends and proactively propose new product opportunities.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Food Technology, Culinary Science or a related field.
• Typically 3–6+ years of relevant experience in food R&D, product development, food manufacturing or restaurant development.
• Strong practical knowledge of food ingredients, formulation, cooking processes, food safety and shelf life.
• Strong understanding of restaurant operations and commercial food development.
• Demonstrated ability to independently develop and troubleshoot recipes.
• Strong interest in food trends and ability to translate trends into commercially viable product ideas.
• Strong analytical, project management and problem-solving skills.
• Good communication and coordination skills with Chefs, Marketing, Operations, QA, Procurement and suppliers.
• Able to coach and guide junior RD officers.