Cibo Vita, co-founded in 2009 by Emre Imamoglu and Ahmet Celik, is a leading producer of private-label health-conscious snacks, specializing in dried fruit and nut blends for nationwide distribution. The company's flagship brand, Nature's Garden, focuses on redefining snacking experiences with authentic, innovative, and transparent products. Cibo Vita's snacks are available in supermarkets, retail chains, specialty shops, and c-stores nationwide, earning industry recognition and certifications like sofi™ and Nexty awards.
Role Description
We are seeking a creative and detail-oriented R&D Technologist to join our Research & Development team, with a focus on nuts, trail mix, clusters, fruit cubes and bars applications. The R&D Technologist will play a key role in developing new products and improving existing ones by conducting experiments, testing ingredients, and optimizing formulations within these categories. This position offers an exciting opportunity to contribute to innovative projects within the snack industry.
Key Responsibility:
1. Product Development: Assist in the development of new products within the nuts, trail mix, clusters, and bars categories, from concept to commercialization, by conducting experiments, testing formulations, and evaluating ingredients.
Support the formulation of prototypes, including ingredient sourcing, mixing, and preparation specific to these product categories.
Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including marketing, quality assurance, and production, to ensure successful product launches.
2. Formulation Optimization: Work on the optimization of existing product formulations to improve taste, texture, nutritional profile, and cost-effectiveness for nuts, trail mix, clusters, and bars.
Conduct shelf-life studies with analytical team to ensure product stability and quality over time. Analyze data from sensory evaluations, lab tests, and pilot runs to make informed recommendations for formulation improvements.
3. Ingredient Testing and Analysis:
Evaluate new and existing ingredients for their functionality, compatibility, and impact on product quality in the context of nuts, trail mix, clusters, and bars.
Conduct trials to test the performance of ingredients under various conditions, such as temperature, pH, and processing methods. Document and report findings to the R&D team and recommend adjustments to formulations as needed.
4. Documentation and Compliance: Prepare and maintain detailed records of all experiments, formulations, and trials, ensuring accuracy and traceability, especially for nuts, trail mix, clusters, and bars applications.
Ensure that all product formulations and processes comply with relevant food safety and regulatory standards. Assist in the preparation of technical documentation, including product specifications, process flow charts, and ingredient statements.
5. Innovation and Trend Analysis: Stay up-to-date with industry trends, emerging ingredients, and new technologies to contribute to innovative product ideas. Participate in brainstorming sessions and innovation workshops to generate new product concepts and solutions. Conduct market research and competitor analysis to identify opportunities for new product development.
6. Collaboration and Communication: Work closely with other members of the R&D team to share knowledge, troubleshoot challenges, and achieve project goals. Communicate effectively with other departments, including quality assurance, procurement, and marketing, to ensure alignment on project objectives and timelines. Present findings and updates to the R&D team and other stakeholders in a clear and concise manner.
Qualifications: • Bachelor's degree in Food Science. • 0-3 years of experience in food product development, food technology, or a related field. • Good understanding of food ingredients, formulation principles, and processing techniques. • Experience with laboratory equipment. • Excellent problem-solving skills and the ability to work on multiple projects simultaneously. • Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and familiarity with formulation software is a plus. • Strong communication skills, both written and verbal. • Ability to work independently and as part of a team in a fast-paced environment.