R&D

R&D BAKER

Department: Research & Development / Bakery Operations
Reports To: Owner
Classification: Full-Time, Salaried-exempt
Location: Bakery Facility (Alsip)

POSITION SUMMARY

The R&D Baker is responsible for supporting the research, development, testing, and commercialization of new and existing bakery products. This position works closely with Operations, Production, Quality Assurance, Purchasing, and leadership to develop products that meet company standards for taste, appearance, quality, consistency, food safety, cost, and production feasibility.

The R&D Baker combines strong hands-on baking skills with creativity, accuracy, organization, and an understanding of large-scale bakery production. This role will assist with developing new recipes, improving existing products, conducting product trials, documenting formulas and processes, and successfully transitioning products from the test kitchen into full production.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Product Development and Testing

Develop and test new bakery products, including donuts, artisan breads, pastries, fillings, icings, glazes, doughs, and other baked goods.

Prepare small-batch product samples and prototypes based on product concepts and business needs.

Modify existing recipes to improve flavor, texture, appearance, shelf life, consistency, cost, or production efficiency.

Conduct repeated product trials and make adjustments based on results and feedback.

Evaluate ingredients and determine how ingredient changes may affect product quality and production performance.

Assist with seasonal products, limited-time offerings, customer-specific products, and new menu initiatives.

Recipe and Process Documentation

Accurately weigh, measure, and document all ingredients used during product testing.

Develop and maintain detailed formulas, recipes, preparation procedures, baking specifications, yields, and production instructions.

Document testing results, observations, adjustments, and final approved specifications.

Ensure recipes can be consistently reproduced by bakery and production employees.

Assist with scaling recipes from test batches to larger commercial production quantities.

Maintain confidentiality of proprietary recipes, formulas, processes, and product-development information.

Production and Commercialization

Partner with Production and Operations teams to conduct plant and production-line trials.

Evaluate whether new products can be produced efficiently using existing equipment, staffing, ingredients, and processes.

Identify potential production challenges before a product is launched.

Train production employees and supervisors on new recipes, procedures, and product standards when necessary.

Monitor initial production runs and recommend adjustments to ensure product consistency and quality.

Work with Purchasing and Operations to evaluate ingredient availability, substitutions, and product costs.

Quality and Food Safety

Follow all company food safety, sanitation, allergen-control, GMP, HACCP, and quality-assurance requirements.

Maintain a clean, organized, and sanitary R&D work area.

Ensure ingredients and products are properly labeled, stored, handled, and rotated.

Partner with Quality Assurance to ensure new products and processes meet company specifications and applicable food-safety requirements.

Identify product-quality issues and assist in determining root causes and corrective actions.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

Strong knowledge of commercial baking techniques, ingredients, dough development, fermentation, mixing, proofing, frying, baking, finishing, and product handling.

Ability to understand how ingredient changes affect product texture, flavor, appearance, stability, and production performance.

Strong attention to detail and ability to follow formulas precisely.

Ability to perform bakery calculations, including recipe scaling, percentages, weights, yields, and conversions.

Creative approach to product development while maintaining awareness of production capabilities and cost.

Strong organizational and documentation skills.

Ability to manage multiple product-development projects and testing schedules.

Ability to troubleshoot products and production issues.

Ability to communicate effectively and work collaboratively with Production, Operations, Quality Assurance, Purchasing, Marketing, and leadership.

Ability to maintain confidentiality regarding proprietary recipes and product-development information.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Culinary, baking, pastry, food science, or related education preferred.

Minimum 5 years of professional baking or commercial bakery experience with artisan bread and pastries required

Experience in a high-volume bakery, food manufacturing facility, commissary, or production environment required

Previous experience with recipe development, product testing, or bakery R&D is required.

Experience scaling recipes from small batches to commercial production is highly desirable.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Ability to stand and walk for extended periods throughout the workday.

Ability to frequently bend, reach, push, pull, twist, and perform repetitive hand and arm movements.

Ability to regularly lift and carry ingredients, equipment, and products weighing up to 75 pounds.

Ability to work around commercial ovens, fryers, mixers, proofers, refrigeration equipment, and other bakery machinery.

Ability to work in environments with varying temperatures, including hot production areas, refrigerated areas, and freezers.

Must wear required personal protective equipment and comply with company dress, sanitation, and safety requirements.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

This position primarily works in a commercial bakery and food manufacturing environment. The employee may regularly be exposed to heat, cold, flour dust, food allergens, wet surfaces, moving equipment, machinery, and varying noise levels.

The R&D Baker must maintain a high level of sanitation, food safety, professionalism, and attention to detail at all times.

PERFORMANCE EXPECTATIONS

Success in this position requires the ability to develop products that are creative and appealing while also being practical for commercial production. The R&D Baker is expected to maintain accurate documentation, meet project deadlines, minimize unnecessary product waste, protect confidential company recipes, communicate effectively across departments, and consistently support the company's standards for quality, food safety, consistency, and operational efficiency.

DISCLAIMER

This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by employees assigned to this position. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, qualifications, or working conditions. Management reserves the right to modify responsibilities and assign additional duties based on business needs.