R&D Product Development Specialist

Job Title: R&D Product Development Specialist I

Location: Gainesville, GA

Reports To: Director of Innovation & Product Development

The R&D Product Development Specialist supports product development and process optimization initiatives within a poultry manufacturing environment, working under the guidance of senior R&D staff. This role assists with product trials, formulation development, and production process validation to help ensure new and existing products meet operational, quality, and customer requirements. The position operates at the plant level with cross-functional collaboration across operations, quality, and supply chain, developing toward independent ownership of product development projects.

Key Responsibilities

Product Development & Formulation

• Assist with developing and refining product formulations based on customer requirements, cost targets, and operational feasibility
• Conduct bench-top testing under guidance to support new product development
• Prepare and produce product samples — including bench-top, trial, and customer/sales samples — for internal review, sensory evaluation, and customer submissions
• Maintain food safety and sanitation standards while preparing samples in test kitchen, lab, or pilot-plant
• Support modifications to existing formulations to improve yield, texture, flavor, or cost efficiency
• Document formulas, processes, and trial results accurately

Plant Trials & Commercialization

• Support the planning and execution of plant trials to validate new products and process changes
• Produce trial-run and launch samples to support product evaluation and stakeholder review
• Coordinate with operations, under supervision, to help trials run efficiently and with minimal disruption
• Monitor product performance during trials and flag needed adjustments to senior staff
• Assist with product launch activities and the transition from development to full-scale production

Process Optimization & Technical Support

• Support evaluation of production processes to improve efficiency, consistency, and throughput
• Assist in troubleshooting product or process issues in collaboration with plant teams
• Provide basic technical support to operations regarding product specifications and processing parameters
• Support continuous improvement initiatives related to product performance

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner with Operations, QA, Procurement, and Sales teams to support product development aligned with business needs
• Communicate trial results, product specifications, and technical findings to stakeholders under guidance of senior staff

Documentation & Data Management

• Maintain accurate records of formulations, specifications, and trial data
• Prepare technical documentation for product specifications and internal use
• Ensure all product development documentation is organized and accessible

Supervisory Responsibilities

None. This position has no direct reports.

Qualifications

Education/Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Poultry Science, Chemistry, or related field required
• 0–2 years of experience in food manufacturing or product development preferred
• Exposure to poultry or protein processing environments preferred

Skills & Competencies

• Developing understanding of food formulation and ingredient functionality
• Basic knowledge of food processing equipment and manufacturing environments
• Hands-on ability to prepare and produce food product samples in a test kitchen, lab, or pilot-plant setting
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and meet deadlines
• Effective communication and cross-functional collaboration skills
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications

Physical Requirements

• Regular standing, walking, bending, reaching, and lifting/carrying up to 25 pounds.
• Ability to communicate effectively, including speaking, hearing, and exchanging information in person and via email, phone or video.
• Ability to travel occasionally between company locations.
• Ability to work in and move between varying environments, including pilot/test kitchen and production areas.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this role.

Work Environment

Work is performed in a combination of office and poultry processing environments. Employee splits time between a professional office setting and active production areas. Work in production areas may include exposure to:

• Cold, refrigerated environments (Fresh Processing)
• Warm or hot areas near ovens, fryers, or cooking equipment (Further Processing/Ready-to-Eat)
• Wet and humid conditions with floors that may be wet or slippery
• Moderate to high noise levels requiring hearing protection
• Raw meat products and strong food-related odors
• Common food allergens used in production, including but not limited to wheat, soy, milk, sesame and egg.
• Moving machinery, conveyor systems, powered industrial equipment, and sharp tools.

Food Safety and Quality Expectations

Gold Creek Foods is committed to producing safe, legal, and high-quality food products. All employees are responsible for complying with all company food safety, quality, and sanitation programs, preventing contamination and protecting product integrity, immediately reporting food safety or quality concerns to leadership, and supporting audit readiness and continuous improvement initiatives.

General Safety Statement

All employees are expected to work safely at all times by following all company safety policies, procedures, and regulations. This includes complying with OSHA, USDA, and other applicable laws, as well as Gold Creek Foods' internal safety standards. Each team member is responsible for maintaining a safe work environment—reporting hazards and near misses, using required personal protective equipment (PPE) when required, and participating in safety training and programs as directed.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

Gold Creek Foods is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We consider all qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. If you need assistance or an accommodation to apply for a position, please contact Human Resources at 678-928-6970.