R&D Associate | Major Japanese food company

A major Japanese food company in Torrance, California is looking for an R&D Associate. We welcome applications from individuals with R&D experience in the food industry.

<Job Summary>

• This position combines food development and quality control, and mainly supports the research and development (R&D) team of group companies.
• Assist in food development and improvement, and ensure compliance with quality and safety standards.
• Play a supporting role in both the innovation process and quality assurance, with a focus on internal R&D activities.
• Products handled are tofu and plant-based meat substitutes. A wide range of products are manufactured to support product development across the group.

<Job Description>

• Support customer inquiries regarding quality documentation and product claims.
• Process customer service claims, product complaints, and customer requests.
• Assist in ensuring all products comply with food safety and quality regulations.
• Assist in monitoring and applying industry standards and regulations in product development.
• Manage the process of obtaining and maintaining product certifications, such as organic, non-GMO, gluten-free, etc.
• Prepare, submit, and maintain regulatory documentation, such as certification applications, product registrations, and compliance reports.
• Prepare, submit, and maintain regulatory documentation, such as product registrations and compliance reports.
• Develop and maintain a system for organizing and retrieving regulatory documentation.
• Keep documentation up to date and accessible to accommodate group company audits and inspections.
• Develop internal policies and procedures to support regulatory compliance and certification processes.
• Provide training and guidance to other departments on regulatory and certification requirements.
• Assist in the development of new product concepts, formulations, and recipes.
• Participate in product testing and refinement based on input from the R&D team.
• Assist in the research and introduction of new food technologies and processing methods.
• Assist in conducting technical research and analysis to support product development.
• Compile data and findings to support the R&D team’s decision-making process.
• Work closely with R&D teams within the group companies, providing assistance and support as needed.
• Engage in learning opportunities to understand the dynamics of product development and quality control.
• Understand management.
• Support initiatives to improve product quality, safety and sustainability.
• Contribute to continuous improvement of R&D department processes and practices.
• Participate in meetings and communications with the R&D team to ensure alignment of goals and objectives.
• Assist in identifying and working with suppliers to source high-quality raw materials and ingredients required for product development.
• Participate in the evaluation and selection of raw materials based on quality, cost and food standard compliance.
• Attend industry events to explore new raw materials for product development and stay informed of industry trends and advancements.

<Requirements>

• Have a US work visa (OPT not accepted)
• Native/business level English required (Japanese is preferred)
• 6+ months related work experience
• Degree in Food Science, Nutrition, Culinary Art, or a bachelor’s degree in a related field
• Living near Torrance is preferred