R&D Food Scientist

Job Title: R&D Food Scientist

FLSA Exemption Status: Exempt

Status: Salaried

Department: Research and Development

Reports To: R&D Manager

Job Summary:The purpose of the R&D Food Scientist is to assist the R&D Manager with development of new products from inception to full manufacture and works to improve processes and ingredients for existing products. The Food Scientist works with Sales, Quality, Production and Purchasing to identify means to develop and deliver value added, innovative solutions for own brand and new/existing customers and improves overall company profitability through improved efficiencies, yields, component costs, etc. The R&D Food Scientist is responsible for managing their projects through the entire product development process.

Essential Functions And Responsibilities

• Ensure all R&D developments, activities and procedures adhere to Marketing and/or customer expectations, Food Safety and Regulatory Standards (HACCP, FDA, USDA and Organic.)
• Searches the marketplace for related products that might be adapted and customized for customer’s needs.
• Organizes and conducts lab, pilot, and production trials.
• Validates new ingredients and suppliers, as needed.
• Creates and disseminates internal product specifications for new products to appropriate departments, to include process flowcharts for new formulations.
• Develops detailed external product specifications for customers when samples are presented.
• Develops and obtains approval of final ingredient product contents (from R&D Manager), and works with Purchasing and Project Manager, to identify and approve final packaging specifications.
• Serves as company ambassador during visits with current and prospective clients when the R&D Manager is not available.
• Compiles descriptions of new products for review by the HACCP team.
• Assesses feasibility of using existing equipment and processes for new products.
• Writes and communicates scope, purpose, and test protocols to QA/QC and Production teams regarding plant trials.
• Creates and disseminates R&D Reports in order to document process improvement studies. Communicates study parameters, findings, and implications for future changes/improvements.
• Maintain adequate sample supplies and types of juice, purees, flavorings, containers, and labels for new products.
• Complies samples of new products for customer presentations.
• Other duties, as needed.
  
  

Required Knowledge, Skills And Abilities

• Bachelor’s degree in Food Science or related area (Biology, Chemistry, etc.)
• 5 years of experience in a similar field required.
• Knowledge of HACCP, USDA, FDA, Organic, Non-GMO, Kosher certification regulations.
• Accuracy with detail, planning, organizing, and efficiency.
• Regular and reliable attendance required.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to communicate with all levels of production and management.
• Excellent analytical and reasoning skills.
• Experience with experimental design/process improvement methodology.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook.)
• Ability to function successfully both as a team member and leader.
• Ability to change focus and priorities frequently and quickly.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule.
• An excellent level of sensory acuity is required, i.e., taste, sight, smell and touch; the incumbent must not have any factors that would limit their ability to participate in evaluations.
  
  

Working Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an associate encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. The R&D Food Scientist is expected to work in an office, production, and lab environments. While performing the duties of this job, the associate frequently will be exposed to outside weather conditions, wet and/or humid conditions, and extreme heat and/or cold, long periods of sitting standing, and walking. The associate occasionally works near moving mechanical parts and in high precarious places and has to the risk of exposure to fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, and the risk of electrical shock. The incumbent will be exposed to loud noises from production equipment and thus will be required to wear PPE. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate but may be high at times due to production and mechanical equipment noise.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be performed by an associate to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the associate is regularly required to stand, walk, use hands to handle, or feel objects, equipment, or controls; reach with hands and arms; see, talk and /or hear. The associate is occasionally required to taste, touch or smell.

This description is intended to indicate the kinds of tasks and levels of work difficulty that will be required of positions that will be given this title and shall not be construed as declaring what the specific duties and responsibilities of any particular position shall be. It is not intended to limit or in any way modify the right of any supervisor to assign, direct, and control the work of associates under his/her supervision. The use of a particular expression or illustration describing duties shall not be held to exclude other duties not mentioned that are of similar kind or level of difficulty.