Domino’s R&D Associate Vacancy – Food Science Job
Domino’s R&D Associate Domino’s Pizza, which began in 1960 as a single store location in Ypsilanti, MI, has had a lot to celebrate lately: we’re a reshaped, reenergized brand of honesty, transparency and accountability – not to mention, great food! In the rise to becoming a true technology leader, the brand is now consistently one of the top five companies in online transactions and 65% of our sales in the U.S. are taken through digital channels.
Job Title: R&D Associate
Job Id: 33141BR
Location: Ann Arbor, MI
Qualifications
Domino’s R&D Associate
- Bachelor’s degree in Food Science or related field
- Sensory Science education including test design, data analysis, statistical principles (primarily triangle and acceptance tests (helpful to have knowledge of descriptive testing & analysis as well)
- Knowledge of food production and restaurant equipment & services
- Knowledge of food safety standards (HAACP, Serve Safe, etc.)
- Basic computer skills: Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, etc.
- Good written and oral communication and presentation skills
- Domino’s R&D Associate Ability to lift heavy objects, stand for 12 hours and eat all menu items
- Domino’s R&D Associate Travel required up to 75%, including some weekend travel (rare, but required)
- Must be able to work in a fast-paced kitchen environment, manage and follow set time/bake schedules
- Assertive, proactive, organized, flexible, reliable
- Ability to take instruction from and work with multiple cross-functional teams.
- Ability to derive actionable insights from data
- Requires adaptability to handle multiple projects simultaneously while being detail-oriented, accurate and meeting aggressive timelines for completion.
- Requires independent analytical & creative effort regarding proper procedures, planning of work, troubleshooting & follow-up.
- Demonstrate a personal drive and take ownership of actions, behaviours and contributions
Additional Job Details
(30%) Support the product development team and execute new product testing for consumer appeal for new and/or existing menu items
Domino’s R&D Associate job
- Participate in all aspects of product development and cross-functional product work (innovation & renovation) from ideation through commercialization, including development, matching, hold and release, training, etc.
- Partner with cross-functional teams (S&I, Procurement, QA, Training, Operations, external research suppliers, etc.) regarding product and packaging needs.
Collect and analyze data necessary for product formulation & specification decisions (weights, food safety temperatures, viscosity, etc.). Write reports and communicate findings to project leads and other key stakeholders as applicable. - Coordinate with SCC, research facility and/or pizza store to make sure food order, equipment and resources needed for testing arrive on time and are in good, working condition. Follow the necessary protocol to hire and pay store TMs to support product testing as needed.
(30%) Execute sensory testing in support of Product Development, Quality Assurance, Procurement and SCS projects.
Domino’s R&D Associate
- Plan and conduct in-house sensory testing including discrimination (similarity) and acceptance (both internal recruit and super sensory external recruit).
Develop ballots, screeners, bake/serve schedules and sample rotation requirements. - Communicate/document product requirements including product code date & shelf life requirements for test and control products.
- Report results to cross-functional project teams; verbally and via electronic reports.
Work within the approved budget. Confirm funding before tests are contracted.
Maintain up to date MCAs & contracts with third-party/external research partners. - Follow all DPZ requirements for contract authorization. Ensure suppliers are adhering to the contract expectations. Follow up and obtain corrective action as needed.
- Manage the agenda and logistics for the cross-functional Monthly Big Table meetings where decisions are made on product testing, approval and commercialization. Coordinate with the product makers, set the schedule and evaluation format. Send the minutes including rationale for decisions to the cross-functional team.
- Domino’s R&D Associate Follow existing sensory testing SOPs, document and update changes as needed. Implement best practices over time to increase efficiency and ensure accuracy. Communicate and educate cross-functional TMs on the sensory testing protocol, test design, etc.
(30%) Additional product and test kitchen-related responsibilities
Domino’s R&D Associate
- Lead all product needs for the quarterly BOD lunches. Plan the menu, ensure approval, order the supplies, proofread the printed menu, coordinate with the pizza making team, set and communicate the baking schedule, etc.
- Serve as the point person to coordinate photo shoots, live-action shoots and any other product needs for advertising. Communicate product standards to the advertising team, help with dough production/proofing schedules and placing SCC orders for photoshoots in the test kitchen, travel to offsite locations to make a product for shoots, participate in production calls, work with food stylists on set, etc.
- Domino’s R&D Associate Act as the point person for Gold Standard testing. Maintain documented specifications and analytical testing requirements, communicate budget and timeline need to the cross-functional project team, record results.
- Be a product expert and make products for team and project evaluations, CLTs and consumer focus groups, advertising print and live-action shoots, executive showings, BOD, investor showings, DMI, special events, franchise advisory councils, etc. Make products and clean up as needed.
(10%) Development in support of individual and organizational goals and strategies
Special projects as assigned
Coaching PPS annually, or involvement in other operational events/development
Participate in QA compliance evaluations for products as assigned.
