LHH
R&D and Sourcing Associate
Location:
Richmond, CA (Hybrid listed, on-site strongly preferred) Schedule:
Full-time, Exempt | 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM (flexible to 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM) Compensation:
$72,600 – $93,700 Start Date:
ASAP
Job Overview The
R&D and Sourcing Associate
will play a key role in developing, testing, and sourcing innovative food products for military and private-label foodservice. This position requires strong technical expertise, project management skills, and the ability to navigate fast-paced, regulatory-heavy environments.
Key Responsibilities Formulate and test recipes; conduct sensory evaluations. Create and maintain accurate nutrition facts panels, ingredient statements, and allergen declarations. Ensure all labeling and packaging meet
USDA/USDC/FDA/PHC
and military regulatory compliance. Source and qualify suppliers for ingredients and packaging; manage vendor relationships. Maintain documentation including recipes, product specifications, and certifications. Conduct internal QA audits, update specifications, and ensure compliance with annual military guideline changes. Support sales demos and food shows (occasional domestic travel, approx. once per month). Collaborate cross-functionally with Operations, QA, Marketing, Procurement, and Sales. Stay informed on food trends, packaging innovations, and industry best practices.
Qualifications Education:
Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Nutrition, Culinary Science, or related field. Experience:
3–5 years in food product development/commercialization. Advanced
Excel
skills (pivot tables, formulas, data modeling). 2+ years of technical compliance experience (food safety, labeling, or nutrition compliance). Hands-on recipe formulation and bench work experience. Familiarity with
USDA/USDC/FDA/PHC
regulations and military foodservice guidelines. Proven success in supplier sourcing and vendor management. Strong communication, organization, and problem-solving skills under pressure.
Preferred Qualifications Culinary or menu board development experience. Exposure to multiple food categories (e.g., frozen, baked, meats, canned). Private-label and niche product sourcing experience. Entrepreneurial mindset and ownership mentality. Experience with ERP, QA/FSQA systems, CRM, or BI tools.
Additional Details Travel:
Domestic travel approximately once per month.
Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled
To read our Candidate Privacy Information Statement, which explains how we will use your information, please navigate to us/en/candidate-privacy
The Company will consider qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records in accordance with federal, state, and local laws and/or security clearance requirements, including, as applicable: • The California Fair Chance Act • Los Angeles City Fair Chance Ordinance • Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers • San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance
Location:
Richmond, CA (Hybrid listed, on-site strongly preferred) Schedule:
Full-time, Exempt | 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM (flexible to 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM) Compensation:
$72,600 – $93,700 Start Date:
ASAP
Job Overview The
R&D and Sourcing Associate
will play a key role in developing, testing, and sourcing innovative food products for military and private-label foodservice. This position requires strong technical expertise, project management skills, and the ability to navigate fast-paced, regulatory-heavy environments.
Key Responsibilities Formulate and test recipes; conduct sensory evaluations. Create and maintain accurate nutrition facts panels, ingredient statements, and allergen declarations. Ensure all labeling and packaging meet
USDA/USDC/FDA/PHC
and military regulatory compliance. Source and qualify suppliers for ingredients and packaging; manage vendor relationships. Maintain documentation including recipes, product specifications, and certifications. Conduct internal QA audits, update specifications, and ensure compliance with annual military guideline changes. Support sales demos and food shows (occasional domestic travel, approx. once per month). Collaborate cross-functionally with Operations, QA, Marketing, Procurement, and Sales. Stay informed on food trends, packaging innovations, and industry best practices.
Qualifications Education:
Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Nutrition, Culinary Science, or related field. Experience:
3–5 years in food product development/commercialization. Advanced
Excel
skills (pivot tables, formulas, data modeling). 2+ years of technical compliance experience (food safety, labeling, or nutrition compliance). Hands-on recipe formulation and bench work experience. Familiarity with
USDA/USDC/FDA/PHC
regulations and military foodservice guidelines. Proven success in supplier sourcing and vendor management. Strong communication, organization, and problem-solving skills under pressure.
Preferred Qualifications Culinary or menu board development experience. Exposure to multiple food categories (e.g., frozen, baked, meats, canned). Private-label and niche product sourcing experience. Entrepreneurial mindset and ownership mentality. Experience with ERP, QA/FSQA systems, CRM, or BI tools.
Additional Details Travel:
Domestic travel approximately once per month.
Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled
To read our Candidate Privacy Information Statement, which explains how we will use your information, please navigate to us/en/candidate-privacy
The Company will consider qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records in accordance with federal, state, and local laws and/or security clearance requirements, including, as applicable: • The California Fair Chance Act • Los Angeles City Fair Chance Ordinance • Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers • San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance