Research Development Chef Jobs (NOW HIRING)

R&D Baker Tourier Specialist

Location: Bridgeport, Connecticut
Department: Research & Development
Reports To: R&D Director

Lead the Future of Premium Laminated Dough Innovation

Bridor North America is a leader in premium European-style bakery products, supplying some of the most recognized foodservice, retail, and quick-service restaurant brands across North America. Through a combination of traditional baking expertise, continuous innovation, and world-class manufacturing, Bridor continues to set the standard for premium frozen bakery products.

We are seeking an experienced R&D Baker Tourier Specialist to join our Research & Development team at our Frozen Laminated Dough Manufacturing Facility in Bridgeport, Connecticut.

Reporting directly to the R&D Director, this role will play a critical part in developing, improving, and commercializing premium laminated dough products from concept through full-scale production.

This is not a traditional chef position.

We are specifically seeking a bakery and pastry professional with extensive hands-on experience in laminated dough manufacturing and product development. The ideal candidate comes from a commercial bakery, industrial bakery, frozen bakery manufacturer, viennoiserie operation, or bakery R&D environment and possesses deep expertise in croissants, Danish pastries, puff pastry, and other laminated dough products.

Candidates whose backgrounds are primarily in restaurant kitchens, hotels, catering, savory culinary operations, or general chef positions without significant bakery and pastry manufacturing experience will not be considered.

If you are passionate about laminated dough technology, thrive in a manufacturing environment, and want to influence products enjoyed by millions of consumers across North America, we encourage you to apply.

Key ResponsibilitiesProduct Development & Innovation

• Develop new laminated dough products from concept through commercialization.
• Improve existing formulations, ingredients, and manufacturing processes to enhance quality, consistency, and efficiency.
• Research emerging bakery trends, ingredients, technologies, and consumer preferences.
• Conduct product benchmarking and identify opportunities for innovation and continuous improvement.
• Evaluate ingredient functionality and recommend improvements to product performance.

Manufacturing Support & Scale-Up

• Lead and support industrial trials, production testing, and commercialization activities.
• Collaborate with Operations and Quality teams to successfully transition products from development to commercial production.
• Optimize formulas and production parameters to improve efficiency and product consistency.
• Troubleshoot dough performance, process challenges, and product quality issues in a manufacturing environment.
• Support startup activities, process validation, and continuous improvement initiatives.

Technical Leadership

• Serve as a subject matter expert for laminated dough technology and manufacturing processes.
• Apply advanced knowledge of dough development, fermentation, lamination, sheeting, butter incorporation, proofing, and baking.
• Analyze product performance and recommend corrective actions when necessary.
• Support training and knowledge sharing across manufacturing and R&D teams.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Work closely with the R&D Director and teams across Operations, Quality Assurance, Purchasing, Marketing, and Finance.
• Present findings, recommendations, and project updates to internal stakeholders.
• Support customer presentations, product tastings, and innovation initiatives as needed.
• Collaborate with Bridor's bakery experts and manufacturing teams across North America.

Documentation & Compliance

• Maintain accurate product development records, formulas, specifications, and trial reports.
• Conduct sensory evaluations and product quality assessments.
• Ensure compliance with food safety, quality, and regulatory requirements.
• Support adherence to HACCP, GMP, FDA, and USDA standards.

Required QualificationsExperience

• Minimum 5 years of hands-on experience working with laminated dough products in a commercial or industrial bakery manufacturing environment.
• Extensive experience producing and developing croissants, Danish pastries, puff pastry, and other laminated dough products.
• Proven expertise in dough lamination, sheeting, folding, butter incorporation, proofing, baking, and finished product evaluation.
• Experience supporting product development, industrial trials, manufacturing scale-up, and process optimization initiatives.
• Demonstrated ability to troubleshoot product and process issues in a production environment.
• Professional experience within the bakery, pastry, viennoiserie, frozen bakery, or bakery manufacturing industry is required.

Education

• Diploma or degree from a recognized Baking, Pastry, Culinary Arts, Food Science, or related program.
• Formal training in baking or pastry arts strongly preferred.

Technical Knowledge

• Advanced understanding of laminated dough technology and functionality.
• Strong knowledge of bakery ingredients, dough systems, fermentation, and process controls.
• Experience working with automated bakery manufacturing equipment and production processes.
• Knowledge of food safety and quality systems, including HACCP and GMP.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in frozen laminated dough manufacturing.
• Experience commercializing new products in a large-scale manufacturing environment.
• Knowledge of FDA and USDA food manufacturing regulations.
• Experience working within a research and development function.

Working Conditions

• Based at Bridor's Frozen Laminated Dough Manufacturing Facility in Bridgeport, Connecticut.
• Primarily day-shift schedule with flexibility to support production trials and operational needs.
• Periodic travel is required to Bridor manufacturing facilities, bakeries, and innovation centers throughout North America to support product development, commercialization projects, training initiatives, and cross-functional collaboration.
• Occasional travel to customer locations, supplier facilities, industry events, and technical training sessions may be required.
• Combination of office, laboratory, and manufacturing plant environments.

Benefits

Bridor offers a comprehensive benefits package designed to support you and your family from day one.

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance effective on your first day of employment
• Short-term and long-term disability insurance
• 401(k) retirement plan with a 6% company match
• Paid time off (PTO) and paid holidays
• Career advancement opportunities within Bridor North America

Why Bridor?

At Bridor, innovation begins with craftsmanship. You'll join a team of passionate bakery professionals dedicated to developing world-class bakery products while working for a company that continues to invest in growth, technology, and manufacturing excellence across North America.

This is an opportunity to work alongside some of the industry's leading bakery experts, influence the development of premium products, and help shape the future of laminated dough innovation. If you have the technical expertise, creativity, and passion for bakery excellence, we would love to hear from you.