Associate Food Scientist - Food Manufacturing
Full time
Saginaw, TX
Being able to put formulations together for Mexican/Latin foods such as Salsa's, Entrée's, Burritos, Appetizers, Tortillas HIGHLY DESIRED
Position Requires up to 35% travel (Domestic and International)
This position is responsible for working within the R&D function to complete product development and improvement projects within both food service and retail channels. The incumbent oversees the product development process from end to end including reviewing raw material specifications and iterating product formulations until cross functional approval is obtained. Additional responsibilities include developing samples/prototypes of new products, modifying existing products, optimizing existing products, and ensuring formulations meet cost of good requirements. The incumbent will work cross functionally with Marketing, Insights, Sales, Quality, Operations and Purchasing departments to ensure a smooth start‐up for new product production processes.
- Conduct product formulation to deliver great tasting Mexican Food
- Responsible for the development of new products, product improvements and cost optimization projects.
- Plan and manage benchtop trials, prototype creation and plant line trials.
- Collaborates in the development of long-term innovation pipeline.
- Provide additional R&D support for plants and co-packers as needed.
- Coordinate with QC to ensure all quality and food safety aspects of product development is addressed, including day to day troubleshooting
- Provide documentation for plants, regulatory and QC, including raw material, formulation, processing and finished good specifications
- Develops and tracks projects against published timetable and budget
- Displays excellent interpersonal skills and close collaboration with cross-functional teams
- Demonstrates strong problem solving, project management, and communication skills
- Participates in innovation meetings and presentations to customers
- Plays active role on cross-functional teams
- Other duties as assigned
- Position Requires up to 35% travel (Domestic and International)
Qualifications:
- Education: BA/BS Degree required, Food Science or related fields.
- Ability to apply leadership, strategic thought and innovation to new product development and business opportunities
- Preferred product development experience or equivalent with a food or beverage company; culinary background is a plus
- Highly effective ability to collaborate, negotiate, influence, and network with a wide range of diverse groups, including senior leadership, management, external customers and vendors
- Able to thrive within a multi-project, cross functional environment
- Highly organized, self-starter with the ability to manage projects with limited oversight
- Excellent analytical, problem solving and evaluation skills
- Working knowledge and understanding of the food industry
- Broad knowledge of product development concepts and processes
- Strong leadership and interpersonal skills
- Excellent verbal and written communications and oral presentation skills
- Education and/or Experience: B.S., Food Science, or equivalent industry experience
- Fluency in Spanish is a plus.