At Furmano Foods, you join a value-driven company with a legacy built on farm, faith, and family since 1921. We are dedicated to producing quality, shelf-stable foods while nurturing our employees, community, and the environment. We offer competitive pay, comprehensive benefits, and the opportunity to make a lasting impact while contributing to a culture of quality, service, and sustainability.

Position Summary

The Process Authority / R&D Food Scientist joins Furmano Foods’ growth-oriented, manufacturing-centered organization. The person selected for this role is responsible for thermal processing safety, product development, and finished product quality testing. This position combines regulatory thermal process authority accountability with product development leadership. As a working leader, this individual will serve as a coach, a technical problem-solver, and a steward of Furmano’s culture. They will lead a team of lab support staff, driving improvements in efficiency, quality, and safety—all while modeling Furmano’s core values of safety, gratitude, honesty, kindness, diligence, unity, and stick-to-it-iveness.

Leads product development projects from concept through commercialization
Ensures plant thermal processing systems remain compliant with all regulatory requirements
Develops and validates new formulations, reformulations, and cost improvement initiatives
Supports shelf-stable product innovation within our canned and thermally processed portfolio

Food safety is the responsibility of every employee and must be immediately escalated to supervision if concerns arise.

Core Responsibilities – Thermal Process Authority & Regulatory Compliance

Develop and implement thermal process systems
Assure plant batch and continuous retorts operate in regulatory compliance
Participate in development of thermal processes for new/improved products
Evaluate heat penetration data and process deviations
Prepare regulatory correspondence and reports
Support plant audits and regulatory inspections

Core Responsibilities – Product Development & Commercialization

Develop/test formulas for new products, quality improvements, and cost reductions
Execute plant trials and validations
Conduct shelf-life studies and sensory evaluations
Reformulate products for taste, nutrition, compliance, or cost
Troubleshoot production and quality issues

Documentation & Systems Management

Maintain PLM specifications and nutrition software data
Review and approve labels and nutritional claims
Maintain accurate formulation and trial documentation
Lead finished product testing and grading laboratory and team members
Maintain laboratory inventory and ensure GMP compliance
Support production record review as needed

Cross-Functional Leadership

Collaborate with Quality, Culinary, Marketing, Sales, Supply Chain, Finance, and Operations
Provide quantitative insights to support continuous improvement initiatives

Qualifications

Required:

Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Food Engineering, or related field
3–5 years of food R&D experience
Experience leading and supporting thermal processing operations

Preferred:

5+ years as a Process Authority in an acidified and/or low-acid canning operation
Experience with canned sauces, beans, soups, chili, tomato products, etc.
Experience with Canning, UHT, and Aseptic Operations
Culinary experience

Personal Characteristics

Even temperament and ethical conduct
Strong communication skills
Team-oriented mindset
Ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment
Passion for food innovation and continuous improvement
Strong commitment to product safety and quality

Physical Requirements

Frequent standing and walking in lab/production environments
Occasional pushing/pulling of carts
Manual dexterity required

Skills & Abilities

Strong problem-solving and analytical skills; comfortable with interpreting data.
Technically competent
Strong interpersonal and communication skills; a team builder and a coach.
Ability to prioritize in a fast-paced, mission-driven environment.
Computer literacy required (e.g., MS Office, ERP systems, Ignition, Adage, etc.).

Benefits:

401(k)
401(k) matching
Dental insurance
Employee assistance program
Employee discount
Flexible spending account
Health insurance
Health savings account
Life insurance
Paid time off
Referral program
Retirement plan
Vision insurance
Onsite nurse
Corporate Chaplain

Ability to Commute:

Northumberland, PA 17857 (Required)

Ability to Relocate:

Northumberland, PA 17857: Relocate before starting work (Preferred)

Employment Disclaimer

This position is considered ' at-will', meaning employment can be terminated at any time by either party, with or without notice, and for any reason not prohibited by law.

Furmano Foods is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local employment laws.

This job description describes the general nature of the duties and requirements of this job. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list or limit the supervisor's

ability to modify work assignments as appropriate to meet the needs of the organization.

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Process Authority, Research & Development Food Scientist