Food Technologist
2 days ago
Whittier
Job DescriptionJob Title: Food Technologist Job Description This role focuses on developing and applying flavors, creating food and beverage prototypes, and supporting research and development activities within a regulated laboratory and production environment. The Food Technologist ensures that all formulations meet quality, safety, and regulatory requirements while contributing to innovation, customer projects, and continuous improvement of products and processes. Responsibilities • Execute flavor application and prototype development for innovative food and beverage products., • Prepare samples for human consumption while strictly following food safety rules and regulations., • Test flavors to determine the best options for specific food or beverage formulas and document results in the IT system to build and maintain a flavor library., • Enter all food and beverage formulas into the R&D and regulatory systems and maintain accurate regulatory and quality data., • Manage and execute customer projects in a timely manner, ensuring deliverables meet agreed timelines and specifications., • Assist customers with product scale-up from bench-top to larger production runs., • Identify and evaluate new ingredients based on emerging food trends and functional benefits., • Test new ingredients in food and beverage applications and document all results clearly and accurately., • Create monthly reports summarizing additional support needs, timelines, and service levels for leadership, such as the Manager of Application or Director of R&D., • Assist with product label reviews to ensure accuracy and compliance with applicable regulations., • Prepare nutritional labels and ingredient statements for food and beverage formulas., • Stay current with FDA labeling regulations and updates, and apply changes to product documentation as needed., • Perform physical and chemical testing of ingredients and finished food and beverage products to verify quality and performance., • Support audit-related activities and contribute to maintaining a compliant and inspection-ready environment., • Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including R&D, quality, regulatory, and operations, to support successful product development and commercialization.Essential Skills, • Minimum 2 years of experience in product development, research and development, or formulation within a food or nutraceutical setting., • Experience working within FDA-regulated environments, including familiarity with laboratory practices and quality systems., • Hands-on experience with food or beverage formulation and prototype development., • Knowledge of food safety principles and practices, including HACCP., • Ability to conduct physical and chemical testing of ingredients and food and beverage products., • Strong documentation skills for entering formulas and maintaining regulatory and quality data in R&D and regulatory systems., • Ability to prepare samples safely for human consumption, following food safety rules and regulations., • Competence in creating and maintaining a flavor library and recording test results in IT systems., • Capability to support product scale-up and troubleshoot formulation or process issues., • Ability to lift up to 50 pounds and stand for extended periods of time., • Bachelor’s degree in Food Science/Technology, Health and Nutrition, Engineering, Biochemistry, or a related field.Additional Skills & Qualifications, • Master’s degree in Food Science or a related field is a strong plus., • Experience in beverage formulation and flavors or fragrance formulation is highly desirable., • Certifications in Food Safety and HACCP are a plus., • Experience with audits and audit preparation is a plus., • Familiarity with FDA labeling regulations and experience preparing nutritional labels and ingredient statements., • Ability to interpret and apply regulatory updates to product labels and documentation., • Strong organizational skills, including the ability to manage multiple projects and meet deadlines., • Effective written and verbal communication skills for reporting, documentation, and cross-functional collaboration.Work Environment This is a full-time, on-site role with a Monday through Friday schedule of approximately 8 hours per day. You have flexibility to determine your start time within a typical 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. window. The position is based in a laboratory and food production environment that operates under FDA, food safety, and quality regulations, including HACCP and audit-ready standards. The work involves hands-on formulation, physical and chemical testing, and sample preparation, which may require standing for extended periods and lifting up to 50 pounds. You will work closely with R&D, quality, regulatory, and operations teams, using IT systems for formula management, regulatory data, and flavor library documentation. Team members have access to benefits such as medical, dental, vision, and 401(k), as well as a variety of partner discounts on consumer goods and services. Eligible employees may also accrue and use paid sick time in accordance with local regulations. Job Type & Location This is a Contract to Hire position based out of City Of Industry, CA. Pay and Benefits The pay range for this position is $30.00 - $30.00/hr. Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: • Medical, dental & vision, • Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital, • 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available, • Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents), • Short and long-term disability, • Health Spending Account (HSA), • Transportation benefits, • Employee Assistance Program About Actalent Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 30,000 consultants and more than 4,500 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law. If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email for other accommodation options. San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records. Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability. Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.