R&D - Food Scientist II at Pulmuone Foods USA, Inc.

Company Overview

Pulmuone’s mission is a company that creates a healthy future for people and the earth with wholesome foods. Pulmuone Foods USA brands include Nasoya, Wildwood, Emerald Valley Kitchen, Monterey Gourmet Foods, and Cibo Naturals. Pulmuone’s family of brands provide our consumers a wide variety of delicious products that are inspired by contemporary flavor palates and encourage a healthy and sustainable lifestyle. Visit www.pulmuonefoodsusa.com to learn more about the company and brands.

The Food Scientist II is responsible for leading new product development and continuous improvement initiatives for the plant-based food category, with a focus on tofu products. This role manages projects from concept through commercialization, collaborates with cross-functional teams and external partners, oversees quality and manufacturing process improvements, and drives innovation to deliver safe, high-quality, and cost-effective products that meet consumer and business needs. The position also supports supplier and co-packer development, monitors market trends, and applies food science expertise to enhance product performance and operational excellence.

Job Responsibilities May Include But Are Not Limited To

• Manage new product development from concept through commercialization for Plant based food category, with a focus on tofu.
• Provide product excellence management from manufacturing process improvement and co-packing products as assigned.
• Maintain development and maintenance of QMS for assigned products.
• Lead process improvement for quality and cost reduction; troubleshoot for product quality and productivity; monitor product quality and improvement of co-packing and import items in the areas needed.
• Research and identify new materials, suppliers, and co-packers for new projects and existing product lines.
• Work with vendors, process engineers, food scientists, packaging engineers, R&D chefs and marketing specialists to understand available technology and provide ideas, solutions, and alternatives to meet food safety, quality, costs, and customer requirements.
• Identify prospective co-packers as needed for NPD project assigned, conduct scale-up testing and launch products working cross-functionally.
• Provide update of progress and status of all formal R&D projects by utilizing project management skill sets in line with NPD process.
• Maintain awareness of market trends and comparative products from all major retailers/competitors and recommend product development ideas in line with those trends and coordinate interdepartmental activities.
• Apply a wide range of food science and technology, microbiology and chemistry knowledge to identify the root-causes of product defects and propose preventive actions.
• Assist with special project assignments as needed.

Skills / Qualifications

• B.S degree in food science/food technology or similar is required.
• Minimum 7 years of relevant work experience in a food manufacturing company. Plant based food or tofu industrial experience preferred.
• Knowledge and experience working with vendors for new ingredient/alternate supplier sourcing.
• Experience in food product development and commercialization, with experience in processing and process flow design.
• Food packaging application experience a plus.
• Proficiency in MS Office and strong verbal and written communication skills
• Experience with NPD process a plus.
• Self-directed with the ability to work independently as well as with cross-functional groups.
• Bilingual in Korean a plus.
• This is a full-time, on-site position located at our Fullerton location. Remote or hybrid work options are not available.

Pay Range: $80,000 - $85,000 per year

We offer competitive pay and benefits package, including health (~80% company paid) for employee and dependents, dental, vision, life insurance, long-term disability, company match 401K plan, generous PTO, and company holidays.

Pulmuone is a global, distributed workforce in four countries. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and embrace people with different experiences, strengths, and backgrounds, who share a passion for making a healthier tomorrow for people and the planet with wholesome foods.