Innovation and Development Officer

Be the Force Behind Food Innovation – Join Us as an Innovation and Development Officer!

Are you passionate about pushing boundaries in food safety and quality while driving innovation? At Island Grill, we are looking for a Innovation and Development Officer to lead the charge in developing and improving products that meet the highest standards. If you are ready to turn bold ideas into trusted products, this is your opportunity to make a lasting impact.

Island Grill is a leading QSR chain that specializes in authentic Jamaican cuisine and hospitality. Our purpose is to meet the needs of our customers by delivering home-cooked Jamaican meals for people on the go. We are committed to creating a workplace where our team members can thrive and grow through training, mentorship, and mutual support. We are seeking to engage individuals with an entrepreneurial spirit, who thrive in and enjoy high-paced environments. 

About the Role: 

The Innovation and Developmeny Officer drives innovation and continuous improvement by leading research and development efforts for new and existing products. This role ensures all advancements uphold the highest food safety and quality standards across operations. Reporting to the Senior Manager, Food Safety & Quality Assurance, this officer will be instrumental in achieving strategic goals for product integrity, consumer satisfaction, and compliance through innovation.

Key Functions:  

• Lead and support product development from concept to launch, including formulation, testing, and packaging.
• Support process and location development with risk assessments, quality setup, and training for food safety.
• Research new ingredients, techniques, and packaging to enhance quality and efficiency.
• Optimize existing products for taste, shelf-life, cost, and nutrition.
• Collaborate cross-functionally to align product development with market and operational needs.
• Maintain accurate product specs, nutritional data, and ingredient lists.
• Manage R&D documentation, data, and intellectual property.
• Evaluate new technologies and equipment to improve quality and efficiency.

• Support development and maintenance of FSMS and QMS, including HACCP, GMPs, SSOPs, and relevant standards (ISO, SQF, BRC).
• Conduct audits, inspections, and risk assessments to ensure regulatory compliance.
• Manage pest control, sanitation, and environmental monitoring programs.
• Investigate food safety and quality complaints; implement corrective and preventive actions (CAPAs).
• Oversee product testing programs and coordinate with external labs.
• Monitor KPIs for R&D, food safety, and quality; analyze trends and recommend improvements.
• Support supplier approval and monitoring to ensure compliance with safety and quality standards.

• Supervise, mentor, and train FSQA Monitor and junior staff to include delivering food safety and quality training for staff. 

• Prepare reports, presentations, and data analyses for management.
• Promote a culture of continuous improvement and accountability.
• Assist in budgeting and resource planning for R&D and FSQA activities.

Our Ideal Candidate: 

We are looking for someone who:

• Has strong analytical, problem-solving, and organizational skills
• Communicates effectively, both verbally and in writing
• Works well independently and in fast-paced, team environments
• Is detail-oriented, proactive, and results-driven
• Demonstrates a passion for innovation and food safety
• Can influence others and drive positive change
• Adapts well to shifting priorities
• Shows leadership potential and a strong sense of ownership

Qualifications & Experience:  

• Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Food Technology, Microbiology, Chemistry, or a related scientific field.
• Minimum of 2 - 3 years of progressive experience in Research, Development & Quality Control within the food manufacturing industry.
• Proven experience in new product development and optimization.
• Familiarity with Jamaican food regulations (Bureau of Standards Jamaica) and international food safety standards.
• Demonstrated knowledge of HACCP principles and strong understanding of relevant food safety standards (e.g., GMPs, ISO 22000, SQF, BRC).
• Experience with laboratory testing procedures and data interpretation.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).

Interested persons should submit their application by June 30, 2025.

We appreciate and thank all applicants; however, only those shortlisted will be contacted.

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