R&D Assistant Manager - Kewpie Americas, Inc.

Job Description

Job Description

Responsible for the operational leadership of the R&D Department including a strong lead for Private Label (PB) and Copack product development projects. Serves as a key technical partner to external clients and internal sales teams, overseeing product creation, commercial scale-up, and continuous process improvements.

Hours: 8:00 am to 4:30 pm, some early mornings, evenings and weekends.

Core Functions and Duties

• Plan, evaluate, implement and report on new product/process development and troubleshooting projects.
• Lead end-to-end project management for product development from bench-top formulation to full-scale plant production.
• Oversee product scale-up, factory trials, and commercialization for customers’ and Sales team’s requests while adhering to target timelines and cost parameters.
• Serve as the primary technical liaison for external clients and customers, leading technical discussions, product presentations, and sensory evaluation/tasting sessions.
• Initiate, investigate and implement significant new formulations, process improvements and cost savings projects.
• Develop processes, procedures and policies.  Develop understanding of any processes new to the organization.  Evaluate whether portions of the process are applicable to other products/projects. Manage projects and plant costs such as testing and implementation.
• Manage and supervise R&D Tech staff.  Hire, train, develop, motivate and mentor employees.  Evaluate, analyze, review and monitor work activities for quality and quantity. Recommend solutions to reduce non-productive efforts to increase productivity.  Conduct meetings to discuss company objectives and goals.   Analyze, report and resolve problems/issues. Recommend solutions to prevent future similar problems/issues.  Schedule employees and minimize overtime.  Promote teamwork environment.
• Provide technical advice and information to all departments on formulation and processing issues related to assigned projects/products. Provide technical assessment for evaluation of new product/process opportunities.
• Review technical literature and attend seminars to stay apprised of technical processes and methods used by other food manufacturers.
• Develop and maintain project plans, identifying critical paths and resources required.
• All other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications and Competencies

1. Bachelor’s degree in food science, biology or similar
2. Minimum 3-5 yrs experience in a food technologist position in a sauce, salad dressing and marinades environment
3. Minimum 3-5 yrs experience in product development plus ingredient and flavor application experience
4. Minimum 1-2 yrs experience in preparing specifications, label declarations and formulations
5. Minimum 1-2 yrs experience in supervision
6. Must hold a Better Process Control School certificate
7. Knowledge in Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Publisher-intermediate
8. Knowledge: basic mathematics-addition, subtraction, multiplication
9. English Language (Speaking/Listening/Writing) ; Spanish a plus
10. Skills: Communication skills verbal and written, reading comprehension, active listening, problem solving, coordination, service orientation, multitasking, team player, strong leadership qualities, independent, detail oriented
11. Strong client-facing communication and technical sales support skills, with the ability to effectively translate customer feedback into technical solutions.
12. Demonstrated cross-functional project management expertise in the food manufacturing industry.

Preferred Qualifications and Competencies

1. Master’s degree in food science, biology or similar
2. Minimum 3-5 years of experience in supervision
3. Knowledge in Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Publisher-intermediate
4. Knowledge: basic mathematics-addition, subtraction, multiplication
5. English Language (Speaking/Listening/Writing) ; Spanish a plus
6. Skills: Verbal and written communication skills, reading comprehension, active listening, problem solving, coordination, service orientation, multitasking, team player, strong leadership qualities, independent, detail oriented
7. Proven track record in managing OEM, Private Label, or custom co-manufacturing product development cycles.

Over 60 years of fine food, products and service.
As a division of Kewpie Corporation, Japan's leading manufacturer of mayonnaise, salad dressings, sauces, marinades and related products, California-based Q&B Foods, Inc. is uniquely qualified to produce the highest quality and tastiest products in the US marketplace.

Our highly qualified management teams and representatives are dedicated to maintaining our exceptional reputation, which has made Q&B Foods one of the premiere suppliers to leading businesses around the world.

Company Description

Over 60 years of fine food, products and service.\r\nAs a division of Kewpie Corporation, Japan's leading manufacturer of mayonnaise, salad dressings, sauces, marinades and related products, California-based Q&B Foods, Inc. is uniquely qualified to produce the highest quality and tastiest products in the US marketplace.\r\n\r\nOur highly qualified management teams and representatives are dedicated to maintaining our exceptional reputation, which has made Q&B Foods one of the premiere suppliers to leading businesses around the world.