Food Scientist - Kenny's Candy & Confections

*Onsite in Perham, MN – officed out Kenny's Candy Facility*

Compensation:

Total Compensation Range: $60,000 to $105,000
Base Pay: $55,000 to $85,000
Year 1 Bonus Guarantee: $5,000 to $20,000
Profit Sharing Eligibility: Begins after completing 1 year of employment ($7.7 Million in Profits Paid to Profit Sharing Pool in 2025)

Our Coolest Benefit - Profit Sharing!

In our most recent fiscal year, KLN Family Brands contributed over $7.7 million into our employee profit sharing pool!!!

Our Story

KLN Family Brands is a 3rd generation family-owned business that started in 1964 with its corporate headquarters located in Perham, MN, in the heart of MN lakes country. Together, our companies manufacture a diverse and expanding range of high-quality human and pet food products.

At KLN Family Brands, our vision is that “We are a proud people-first company. We are successful because of trust-based relationships and first-rate products for our families and friends. We better the world by caring for others. We challenge. We grow. We inspire.”

Some companies have to “fudge the story” a little. Some need the extra “spin” to shine a positive light on themselves. That’s not who we are at KLN Family Brands, and that’s not what we do. We tell the story of our brand – our people, the quality of our products, our spirit & moxie, our tradition, and the way we treat our community & beyond. We do it in a genuine way because we genuinely believe we’re a pretty amazing company.

The Opportunity

The Food Scientist plays a critical role in driving innovation and ensuring product excellence at KLN Family Brands. This position is responsible for developing new product formulations that align with market trends and consumer expectations, while also supporting the research and development (R&D) process from concept to commercialization.

The Food Scientist will collaborate cross-functionally to maintain and enhance product quality, consistency, and safety across all stages of production. Additionally, this role involves building and nurturing relationships with both customers and suppliers to support product development, sourcing, and continuous improvement initiatives.

Responsibilities:

Prepare for and represent Kenny’s Candy & Confections with customers, trade organizations, and trade meetings and conventions including:
1. Work with customers to meet their needs regarding flavor, nutritional, and label claims.
2. Develop new products that follow regulatory and market trends.
3. Maintain relationships with suppliers and utilize their insight to develop new products and troubleshoot existing issues.
4. Maintain relationships with industry associations and regulatory trends.
5. Prepare all necessary reports as required by customers
Develop and maintain formulation strategies for existing and new product development including
1. Understanding the synergy between/among functional ingredients.
2. Understand processing parameters and effects on ingredients.
3. Understand scale up process from benchtop to production.
4. Utilize consistent formulation calculations/tools.
Support and complete benchtop samples including
1. Support analytical equipment and data collection tools.
2. Providing and updating R&D laboratory tools, utensils, supplies, etc
3. Work with purchasing department/suppliers to ensure necessary materials/ingredients are in house for benchtop samples
4. Request necessary paperwork, logistical information and pricing to determine applicability of material for project needs.
5. Organize and retain benchtop and trial samples for further review and shelf life analysis
Coordinate, manage, monitor, and document plant trials
1. Understand the transfer of formulas from benchtop to line trial
2. Provide paperwork & instructions to production team to run production line trials
3. Collect data, samples, and attend to detail during production line trials and first production runs
4. Organize and file collected data for future reference
5. Work on current formulations to make any changes as directed by management teams
Support nutritional and labeling strategy and proof labeling information
1. Determine appropriate nutritional database and maintain administrative relationship.
2. Work side by side & when necessary provide assistance as needed to other Food Techs and R&D Application Specialist.
3. Create first draft tentative nutritional labels when necessary
4. Maintain proofing standards according to the FDA’s Code of Federal Regulations. Proof and review nutritional panels for packaging
Communicate with other department and other R&D team members to work strategically through projects
1. Prepare all necessary reports required by department heads
2. Communicate with sales team on project timelines and updates
3. Utilize change process management project tools to update projects & manage timelines.

Additional Responsibilities:

Assist Food Technologist & R&D Application Specialist on projects as time allows
Continue additional ingredient education and model current processing systems
Assist in sourcing and trialing new ingredients as needed
Set up and operate equipment needed for sample production
Use ingredients knowledge, processing experience, and project goals to define processing specifications in conjunction with the quality department
Assist with product issues (processing, formulation, quality, etc.) with the understanding of scientific principles to prove root cause and provide processing or formulation solutions

Qualifications

A BS degree, or higher, in Food Science
Experience formulating Candy
2 years of hands-on experience in Food Science within the food industry, contributing to product development
Understanding multi-ingredient functionality
Experience in new product development and formulations
Self-Motivated
Excellent computer skills
Excellent communication and organizational skills
Ability to work well with others

Benefits

Health, Dental, & Vision
- Wellness program discounts - up to $150 discounted towards health insurance monthly
80 Hours of PTO Accrued in First Year of Employment
7 Paid Holidays
KLN Clinic - Free doctor visits & more than 300 free prescriptions
401k Match Opportunity
- Opportunity to meet with our onsite financial advisors
$10,000 Forgivable Home Grant Program
Tuition Assistance
Situational Relocation

*This opportunity is contingent upon successful completion of a drug test and background check.*

KLN ENTERPRISES INC

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