About This Role
This role involves planning, organizing, executing, and completing product development projects focused on the chemical, biological, and physical nature of food. The Senior Food Scientist will provide technical resources to customers and cross-functional teams, evaluating and improving existing products and processes, and developing new ones by defining and meeting key sensory attributes. The role requires frequent interaction with internal departments, vendors, and customers to achieve project milestones, and ensures compliance with USDA/FDA regulations within manufacturing processes.
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
- Experience in bakery or frying/coating applications is a plus
- At least a BS in Food Science or related field of study
- Knowledge and understanding of USDA/FDA regulations
- Ability to communicate technical issues fluidly across functions: operations, marketing, R&D, sales and with customers
- Familiarity 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
- Must be at least 18 years of age
- BS in Food Science/Microbiology/Meat Science or Biology, or at minimum a two-year degree in Food/Quality Control as well as 5-7 years of food manufacturing experience
- Regularly required to talk or hear
- Frequently required to stand; walk and use hands to finger, handle, or feel
- Occasionally required to sit; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl and taste or smell
- Occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds
- Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus
Important Details
- Travel: up to 10% of the time
Work Environment and Personal Protective Equipment
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those a Team Member encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
