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At Sugar Bowl Bakery, we believe that simple, delicious food brings joy to everyday moments. If you’re passionate about delightful treats, we want you on our team! From our rich, chocolatey Brownie Bites to buttery soft Madeleines and subtly sweet Palmiers, each perfectly portioned baked good is crafted with high-quality ingredients and a commitment to taste. Help us spread sweetness with every bite—your journey into the world of delectable baked goods starts here!

Position Overview:

As an Associate Food Scientist at Sugar Bowl Bakery, you are responsible for executing product development activities with a strong emphasis on bench-scale work, plant-trial support, analytical work and technical documentation. This role will independently execute routine development tasks, troubleshoot within established frameworks, and partner cross-functionally to support commercialization while meeting quality, safety, cost and brand requirements.

Essential Functions:

Product Development & Innovation

• Develop and improve product formulas and processes for new items, renovations, seasonal items and quality enhancements within established guidelines (process capability, cost targets, and quality standards).
• Prepare prototypes, sale samples, and test-kitchen batches; accurately weigh ingredients and follow batch protocols.
• Monitor bakery and food trends and customer needs; translate learnings into concepts and prototype options for the R&D pipeline.
• Participate in internal sensory evaluations and routine quality checks (appearance, texture, weight, process parameters) to confirm prototypes meet targets.

Production & Cross-Functional Execution

• Coordinate and support plant test runs. Including plant trial design, trial execution, pre and post-trial meetings, management of materials, sample collection, and communicating trial summaries with recommendations for next steps.
• Partner with Operations, FSQA, Maintenance/Engineering, and Procurement to execute trials and resolve production issues; capture learnings into updated SOPs.

Documentation & Data Management

• Maintain technical documentation including product specifications, batch sheets, SOPs, process parameters, and standards; ensure accuracy, version control, and timely updates.
• Maintain project files and data in designated systems to support record keeping, traceability, and commercialization readiness.

Research, Analysis & Costing

• Conduct ingredient research and evaluate alternatives to improve cost, quality, availability, and performance; support supplier interactions under manager direction.
• Support shelf-life evaluation activities, summarize findings, and recommend improvements within defined study plans.
• Perform or coordinate basic nutritional analysis and data entry for current and new items using approved tools and templates.
• Assist with formula costing and preliminary cost-of-goods estimates related to ingredients; document assumptions using spreadsheets and escalate cost risks as needed.

Quality, Compliance & Regulatory

• Support product claim alignment by verifying formula inputs against internal standards and partnering with QA and/or Regulatory for review.
• Follow and promote food safety and quality practices (GMPs, allergen controls, HACCP) during lab work, sampling, and plant trials.

Lab & Workplace Management

• Maintain R&D lab and kitchen spaces, including equipment upkeep as assigned, ingredient/material stock, sanitation, and organization.

Position Location: This is an on-site role based in Hayward, California, at the company headquarters. Candidates must be located within a commutable distance to Hayward.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Culinary, Culinary Science, Bakery Science, Nutrition, or a related field (or equivalent applied experience).
• 1–3 years of hands-on experience in food. R&D, product development, or food manufacturing (bakery experience strongly preferred – madeleines, brownies, puff pastry, cakes, muffins, snacks).
• Working knowledge of food science fundamentals and manufacturing practices, including GMPs and basic food safety principles.
• Proficiency with documentation and computing tools (Office, AI, ERP) and the ability to maintain detailed technical records.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment with strong attention to detail and communication skills.

Work Environment & Physical Requirements

• Work is performed in an R&D lab/kitchen and in plant manufacturing areas. Exposure to heat, cold, aerosols/dust, and noise may occur.
• Ability to lift and carry up to 50 lbs. occasionally and stand or walk in the plant for extended periods during trials.
• Ability to taste and ingest food products under development, including items containing common allergens (wheat, soy, peanuts, tree nuts, milk, sesame).
• Domestic travel and flexible availability to support

Other Duties

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice. Sugar Bowl Bakery continues to remain an Equal Opportunity Employer.