Research and Development Associate - Commissary

Reporting to the R&D Officer, the R&D Associate is responsible for testing alternative raw materials. S/he supports R&D Officers in conducting research and development activities.

• Conducts extensive research and identifies potential alternative materials that can replace and be an alternative to existing raw materials.
• Performs comprehensive evaluations of potential alternative raw materials. This includes laboratory testing, sensory analysis, shelf-life studies, and pilot production trials to assess their suitability for use in existing products. The evaluation process also considers factors such as cost-effectiveness, sustainability, and compliance with regulatory standards.

• Maintains meticulous documentation of the results of all evaluations. This detailed record-keeping includes data from all tests, observations during trials, and conclusions drawn from the analysis.
• Cascades documented results of evaluations to the purchasing department and to end-users (e.g., production teams, quality assurance). This ensures that all relevant stakeholders are informed about approved alternative materials, their specifications, and any necessary adjustments to sourcing or manufacturing processes.

• Gathers, analyzes, and interprets data from experiments, market research, and product tests to inform product development.
• Prepares reports on research findings and presents data-driven recommendations to senior management.
• Utilizes statistical tools and software to analyze data trends, correlations, and significance.
• Translates statistical results into actionable insights, considering the broader context of research objectives.

• Supports R&D projects, ensuring timely and budget-compliant completion in line with company strategic goals.
• Collaborates with cross-functional teams (engineering, marketing, quality control) to align R&D projects with broader organizational objectives.

• Ensure all R&D activities comply with industry regulations, safety standards, and company policies.

• Working with cross-functional teams, vendors, and external partners on automation projects.

• Performs other tasks assigned by the immediate superior to contribute to achieving departmental goals.
• Continuously seeks opportunities to learn and develop new skills by adapting to changes and excelling in different situations
• Adjusts plans and priorities to accommodate changes and unexpected situations

• Graduate of Bachelor's degree related to Food Technology, Nutrition and Dietetics, or Chemistry
• At least two (2) years of work experience as research and development, quality assurance in food manufacturing
• Project Management Skills
• Knowledgeable in Intermediate or Advanced Excel, Data Analysis
• Statistical Analysis Techniques
• Knowledgeable in basic GMP, GDP and GWP
• Knowledgeable in Food safety and quality

• Full Time and On-Site, with occasional visits to supplier sites and cafe locations.
• Working Day: eight (8) working hours / six (6) days a week
• Shifting Schedule, Holidays and Weekends
• Frequent coordination with peers, cross-functional departments and immediate superior/s
• Frequent coordination with Purchasing department regarding required resources and new raw material
• Frequent coordination with Continuous Improvement regarding new equipment and automation projects