What are the responsibilities and job description for the Ingredient Research Specialist position at International Gourmet Foods Inc?
SPECIALIST DESCRIPTION
The Ingredient Research Specialist manages vendor and item information in IGF’s ERP, responds to customer
and vendor inquiries, and supports the Training and Development Department by providing training content.
JOB RESPONSIBILITIES
The Ingredient Research Specialist does the following.
Minimum two years of experience in quality assurance and/or two years leadership experience in food manufacturing and quality assurance
Experience with food safety and audit requirements preferred
Proficiency in the Microsoft Office Suite, especially Dynamics, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, SharePoint, Teams, and Word
Excellent written and verbal communication skills
Ability to conduct research and analyze data
Attention to detail and finely tuned time management skills
PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES
Strong interpersonal skills and effective communicator: ability to work with individuals from diverse
cultures, backgrounds, levels, and roles
Sense of urgency: an ability to work quickly and accurately; creates an action-oriented culture that
enables decision making and accomplishment of near-term objectives
Persistent problem solver: has a flexible, problem-solving mind-set with good project management
skills and time management; solution-oriented
Analytical: strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret data and make data-driven decisions
Integrity: honest, discreet, and trustworthy; does what is right and necessary
Curiosity and growth mindset: willingness to learn and grow
Efficient and organized: able to produce significant output with minimal wasted effort
The Ingredient Research Specialist manages vendor and item information in IGF’s ERP, responds to customer
and vendor inquiries, and supports the Training and Development Department by providing training content.
JOB RESPONSIBILITIES
The Ingredient Research Specialist does the following.
- Assigns item categories and characteristics according to type, classifications, specialty, and scarcity, e.g., precious or rare items
- Monitors and updates item categorization, particularly seasonal and special-order designations
- Helps to avoid duplicate items except to mitigate out-of-stock risk
- Helps to ensure inventory variety
- Monitors pricing; analyzes trends
- Provides market observations and research intelligence for new-item selection
- Liaises with the Replenishment Specialists to maintain items in the ERP database. Regularly updates item card information, including:
- a. Spec sheets
- b. Food safety compliance documentation
- c. Changes in packaging, pack-size, handling requirements, order lead time, minimum-order requirements, etc.
- Serves as an item and vendor subject matter expert; responds to customer and vendor requests for compliance and other information
- Supports the Training and Development Department by providing training content
- Contributes to the team by performing other work as necessary
Minimum two years of experience in quality assurance and/or two years leadership experience in food manufacturing and quality assurance
Experience with food safety and audit requirements preferred
Proficiency in the Microsoft Office Suite, especially Dynamics, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, SharePoint, Teams, and Word
Excellent written and verbal communication skills
Ability to conduct research and analyze data
Attention to detail and finely tuned time management skills
PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES
Strong interpersonal skills and effective communicator: ability to work with individuals from diverse
cultures, backgrounds, levels, and roles
Sense of urgency: an ability to work quickly and accurately; creates an action-oriented culture that
enables decision making and accomplishment of near-term objectives
Persistent problem solver: has a flexible, problem-solving mind-set with good project management
skills and time management; solution-oriented
Analytical: strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret data and make data-driven decisions
Integrity: honest, discreet, and trustworthy; does what is right and necessary
Curiosity and growth mindset: willingness to learn and grow
Efficient and organized: able to produce significant output with minimal wasted effort
