Job Description

Position: R&D Food Scientist

Department: Research & Development

Reports to: R&D Manager

Location : Bay Shore, NY

About the Company:

Water Lilies Food, LLC is a private equity-backed manufacturer and distributor of premium Asian inspired food. Founded for over 30 years, the Company is in a high-growth phase, supported by a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Bay Shore, NY (Suffolk County Long Island), with a second facility scheduled to come online in Q2 2026.

Water Lilies’ growth strategy is centered on private label partnerships with national and regional retailers, complemented by proprietary control brand offerings where private label programs are not feasible. The category remains underdeveloped, creating meaningful runway for growth through disciplined commercialization, category-led selling, and operationally sound go-to-market execution.

Water Lilies’ vision is to be the preferred supplying partner of premium Asian-inspired food, achieved through delivering our products and services with attention to detail, a continuous improvement mindset, agility, and authenticity. Our culture emphasizes collaboration, respect, and accountability.

Employees are empowered to make a meaningful impact, take ownership of their work, and grow alongside the business. The company is backed by Blue Point Capital Partners, a lower middle-market private equity firm with a strong history of scaling founder-led and growth-oriented manufacturing businesses.

Job Summary:

The R&D Food Scientist role is an opportunity meant to fill the R&D team with talented individuals. We want to lean into your analytical skills and build your knowledge to help us get better. You will get to lead and grow, every single day. This role is perfect for the individual who approaches their work with a sense of optimization and organization and who loves to work in a dynamic team environment.

The Research & Development Food Scientist will be responsible for assisting the Research & Development Manager with product development and day‑to‑day operations within the department, such as documentation of formulas and adjustments. The role reports to the R&D Manager and collaborates with the Operations, Quality Assurance, Logistics, and Commercialization Departments.

If that sounds like you, come join us!

Responsibilities:

• Development and execution of new formulas, formula improvements and cost reductions
• Help plan, collect materials for, and coordinate trial production and development tests
• Coordinate test runs with production facilities
• Provide technical support for production
• Provide technical support for quality assurance
• Develop specifications and processes for Bill of Materials
• Calculate nutrition panels and regulatory labeling
• Ensure formula adherence by comparing actual data to formulas and product specs
• Coordinate analytical studies in-house or with outside labs (palatability, acceptability, product texture, pH, filling ratio, etc.)
• Create product specifications for finished products
• Maintain production specifications from suppliers
• Support operations in the selection and use of production equipment
• Reporting on any food safety issues
• Provide support for other teams as requested
• Provide technical expertise and training as requested

Requirements / Competencies:

• BS degree in Chemistry, Biology, Nutrition or Food Science preferred
• Previous experience in the food industry
• Experience with product development and large-scale commercialization
• Strong attention to detail
• Analytical capabilities
• Computer proficiency including Excel, Word and Outlook
• Critical thinking

Physical Requirements:

The employee will occasionally move within the office to access office machinery, file cabinets, and collaborate with colleagues. Consistent use of office equipment, such equipment may include but not limited to computers, phones, printers, and copiers. The employee will be required to frequently communicate with both internal staff members as well as external parties or customers and must be able to convey accurate information. This job description reflects management’s assignment of essential functions; it does not exclude or restrict the tasks that may be assigned. This job description is subject to change based on company needs as expressed by management.

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