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Research And Development Food Jobs in Arizona (NOW HIRING)

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Research And Development Food information

What does a research and development food professional do?

A Research and Development (R&D) Food professional is responsible for creating and improving food products, recipes, and processes. They conduct experiments to develop new flavors, enhance nutritional value, and improve product safety and shelf life. Their work often involves collaborating with food scientists, technologists, and regulatory teams to ensure products meet industry standards and consumer preferences. R&D Food professionals play a key role in innovation within the food industry, helping companies stay competitive and compliant.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a research and development food professional?

To thrive as a Research and Development Food Scientist, you generally need a degree in food science or a related field, strong analytical skills, and a solid understanding of food chemistry and product formulation. Familiarity with laboratory instrumentation, sensory evaluation software, and food safety regulations such as HACCP is typically required. Creativity, problem-solving ability, and effective teamwork are crucial soft skills for innovating and refining food products. These competencies are vital for developing safe, high-quality foods that meet consumer demands and regulatory standards.

How does a research and development food professional typically collaborate with other departments within a food company?

In a food company, Research and Development (R&D) Food professionals work closely with multiple departments such as Quality Assurance, Marketing, Production, and Procurement. They often collaborate with marketing teams to align new product formulations with market trends and customer preferences, and with production staff to ensure that prototypes can be efficiently scaled for mass manufacturing. This cross-functional teamwork is essential for successfully taking a product from concept to launch, making strong communication and project management skills highly valuable in this role.

What is the difference between Research And Development Food and Quality Assurance Food?

AspectResearch And Development FoodQuality Assurance Food
Primary FocusDeveloping new food products and improving existing recipesEnsuring food products meet safety and quality standards
Work EnvironmentLaboratories, product development kitchensQuality control labs, production facilities
Required CredentialsFood science degree, culinary skills, R&D experienceFood safety certifications, quality management training
Industry UsageFood manufacturing, product innovationFood safety, compliance, and quality assurance

Research And Development Food professionals focus on creating and improving food products, while Quality Assurance Food specialists ensure these products meet safety and quality standards. Both roles are essential in the food industry but serve different purposes in the product lifecycle.

What are popular job titles related to Research And Development Food jobs in Arizona?

For Research And Development Food jobs in Arizona, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What cities in Arizona are hiring for Research And Development Food jobs?

Cities in Arizona with the most Research And Development Food job openings:

Infographic showing various Research And Development Food job openings in Arizona as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 83% Full Time, 14% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 85% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 11% Remote job distribution.

Director of Food Safety and Quality Systems

Shamrock Foods Company

Paradise Valley, AZ • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Retirement, PTO

This job post has expired today. Applications are no longer accepted.


Shamrock Foods rating

8.2

Company rating: 8.2 out of 10

Based on 50 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

8th of 49 rated food wholesalers


Job description

The Director of Food Safety & Quality systems directs and continually develop, enhance and maintain enterprise food safety and quality programs including FSMA, HACCP, SQF, and GMP. (S)he will work with division quality leaders to develop and implement policies and procedures to ensure continued compliance with all regulatory, FSMA, PMO, CFR, SQF Certification, third-party and customer requirements while working with cross departmental operational groups in the development of process improvement and lean manufacturing initiatives.

Essential Duties:

  • Develop Food Safety Plan by conducting and documenting facility hazard evaluation/analysis, developing and implementing preventive controls, and verifying plan effectiveness against FSMA requirements
  • Maintain GMP requirements to current good manufacturing practices (cGMPs)
  • Remain current and serve as division SME on all mandated food safety regulations, laws, policies and procedures of the FDA & USDA as mandated by the PMO, CFR & FSMA.
  • Ensure that all Shamrock divisions are audit ready and serve as the co-host of regulatory inspections.
  • Serve as multi-facility SQF Practitioner developing and validating SQF program procedures and policies (QA Managers are also required to be SQF practitioners).
  • Drives simplification and standardization of audit process and execution across Shamrock Enterprise to ensure compliance with new and emerging regulatory standards and requirements
  • Coordinate all regulatory, customer, and third-party audits
  • Visit and confer with representatives of ingredient and packaging suppliers to obtain information related to vendor quality standards. Ensure vendor management program includes quality and food safety review for all materials.
  • Work with R&D in the development of new product formulations and label compliance review.
  • Establish and maintain enterprise quality management systems, policies and procedures that enable Shamrock to comply with regulatory requirements and current regulatory expectations.
  • Develop and maintain FSQA training for Shamrock Foods Company. (Set annual training requirements and training frequencies)
  • Develop and maintain Shamrock vendor management program and policies, including auditing, performance monitoring and inspection readiness programs.
  • Interface directly with division QA leaders to assure cross functional alignment of goals and objectives ensuring compliance and realization systems related best practices.
  • Partner with IT/IS to develop and integrate a QMS roadmap that allows for scaling of systems to ensure continued compliance and growth of our business.
  • Act as an expert resource and provide expertise, support, and guidance to internal and external partners in resolving complex food safety and product quality challenges and solutions for potential compliance risks.
  • Participate in a monthly Quality Management Review meeting (QMR) to review specific set of quality and compliance metrics to state of control and drive targeted actions for continuous improvement.
  • Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

  • Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Microbiology, Chemistry, or related field required. Master’s degree preferred.
  • 10+ years of experience in food safety & quality assurance
  • 3+ years of direct management experience
  • Working knowledge of regulatory compliance with USDA, FDA, CFR, PMO and implementing and managing third-party auditing schemes (GFSI, SQF).
  • Demonstrated expertise in Dairy, meat, seafood and edible oils manufacturing and processing including UHT manufacturing.
  • Ability to review regulatory requirements and evaluate compliance, and experience with regulatory inspections
  • 20% plus travel required.
  • Must be flexible and willing to work the demands of the department which may be subject to evenings, weekends and holidays.

Corporate Summary:

At Shamrock Foods Company, people come first – our associates, our customers, and the families we serve across the nation. A privately-held, family-owned and -operated Forbes 500 company, Shamrock is an innovator in the food industry and has been since being founded in Arizona in 1922.

Our Mission:

At Shamrock Foods Company, we live by our founding family’s motto to “treat associates like family and customers like friends.”

Why work for us?

Benefits are a major part of your overall compensation, and we believe offering them at an affordable cost is not only the right thing to do, but it helps keep you and your family healthy.  That’s why Shamrock Foods pays for the majority of your health insurance, allowing you to take home more of your paycheck.  And it doesn’t stop there - our associates also enjoy additional benefits such as 401(k) Savings Plan, Profit Sharing, Paid Time Off, as well as our incredible growth opportunities, continued education and wellness programs.

Equal Opportunity Employer

 At Shamrock Foods Co all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or any other basis protected by applicable law.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.


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