Food Scientist

About This Role

This Senior Food Scientist role involves planning, organizing, executing, and completing product development projects of moderate scope, focusing on the chemical, biological, and physical nature of food. The incumbent will provide technical resources to customers and cross-functional teams, evaluating and improving existing products and processes while developing new ones by defining and meeting key sensory attributes. This position requires frequent interaction with various internal departments, vendors, and customers to achieve project milestones, and direct collaboration with the plant's Quality Assurance department to ensure USDA/FDA regulation compliance.

Responsibilities

• Order raw materials and supplies needed to make and ship samples or test products while maintaining the R&D Innovation Center
• Generate concepts and produce high-quality product prototypes to enable new and existing business
• Take products from conception through commercialization and full production
• Develop and implement new formulations and processes as directed by business needs
• Assure projects' compliance with internally established business processes and external regulatory agencies
• Collaboratively work with cross-functional teams to find solutions to their innovation and cost management needs
• Provide technical support to Sales/Marketing and Internal/External customers during the execution of Research and Development projects
• Provide leadership and guidance to cross-functional teams for problem solving and product/process improvement
• Provide directions to cross-functional teams to address technical issues/problems related to products/processes
• Perform all other duties assigned

Requirements

• At least five years of experience in a food product development role that includes full-scale commercialization of products
• At least a BS in Food Science or related field of study (Food Science/Microbiology/Meat Science or Biology)
• Knowledge and understanding of USDA/FDA regulations
• Ability to communicate technical issues fluidly across functions: operations, marketing, R&D, sales and with customers
• Familiarity with formulating products and manipulating formulas
• Ability to successfully handle multiple projects
• Ability to successfully bring projects from bench top to production
• Ability to work well with others in a team setting
• Self-motivated and able to work autonomously
• Proficiency with computer programs including but not limited to Excel, Word, and PowerPoint
• Able to work in cold and wet environments for prolonged time
• Able to independently lift and handle 30 lb packages
• Able to travel up to 10% of the time