Ardent Mills
Ardent Mills is a premier flour-milling and ingredients company whose vision is to be the trusted partner in nurturing its customers, consumers, and communities through innovative and nutritious grain-based solutions. Ardent Mills’ operations and services are supported by 35 community flour mills, three bakery-mix facilities and a specialty bakery, all located in the U.S., Canada and Puerto Rico. Deeply rooted in communities throughout North America, Ardent Mills employs more than 100 certified millers, supporting thousands of local jobs and contributing billions of dollars to local economies.
Position Purpose
Ardent Mills is searching for a Process Development Senior Scientist who would be responsible for supporting, and at times leading, research and development projects focused on creating new ingredients and/or food applications or improving existing ones. The ideal candidate for this position will have the ability to work with multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment. They will need to be able to work effectively in a team environment across multiple business units and teams, as well as be a strong individual contributor. The Process Development Senior Scientist would ensure food safety compliance, enforce regulations, and provide technical guidance.
A Successful Candidate Will Have The Following Attributes
The ability to deliver results in first-time situations by inspiring others and working to earn trust every day.
The willingness to serve others with understanding, respect, and care.
The ability to operate with simplicity, clarity and transparency.
The willingness to effectively deal with and drive change.
The ability to organize, prioritize and own multiple tasks while meeting and/or exceeding deadlines.
The ability to learn and apply new technology, with the willingness to share knowledge with others.
Above all you will be expected to carry out all your activities with reliability, integrity, compliance and in a safe, environmentally responsible, and efficient manner.
Key Responsibilities
Support Process Development Platform lead in the planning, preparation and execution of design of experiments, scale up trials, process development assistance at customer sites and data compilation and analysis.
Define ingredient key attributes necessary to fully characterize raw material. This requires deep understanding of analytical chemistry (including standardized methods), physical testing (e.g., material science, powder rheology, etc) and sensory science.
Deep understanding of ingredient chemistry and functionality, including how it may fit in various food segment applications
Innovative, outside the box thinker, not afraid to break paradigms and step outside the box to explore wide range of possibilities for new ingredients
Ensure completion of Product Technical Transfer document, engaging Operations, Quality, Regulatory and Marketing stakeholders to ensure seamless manufacturing scale up
Structure work streams to ensure technical excellence and deliver projects on time, in full:
Characterize ingredient functionality
Apply design of experiments and other statistical tools. Skilled in data analysis and making recommendations to stakeholders
Formula development, including collaboration with food applications platforms
Process development
Assist in planning all phases of product scale up (bench, pilot, commercial)
Assist with sensory science (analytical, affective) studies
Contingency planning
Assist in identifing 3rd party facilities (if applicable) necessary to ensure project success (e.g., pilot trials, co-manufacturing sites)
Compile, analyze, and manage data and close projects with Product Technical Transfer document to ensure seamless handover to Operations and Quality Control
Collaborate and assist cross functional partners during technical transfer process. This may include education of Engineer teams, plant operators, etc. – in conjunction with Process Development Platform Lead.
Maintains accurate and detailed records of experiments and observations. Disciplined in keeping Lab Notebook entries accurate and up to date
Essential Skills And Experience
B.S. or M.S. degree in Food Science, Chemical Engineering, Chemistry or related field. Requires 7-10 years industry experience
Demonstrated leadership with a history of delivering results
Desire to challenge assumptions and identify new opportunities
5+ years of product development experience
Strong communication, strategic thinking, and organization skills
Ability to manage multiple projects independently
Ability to thrive in a business-facing role and represent a strong technical voice
Strong acumen in business processes
Experience in the development and launch of snack products such as extruded salty food forms, sweet goods, and cereal based beyond simple prototype development is required. Must understand the impact of plant processing and be able to design formulations accordingly.
Experience in product scale-up and commercialization is required.
Strong understanding of general sensory testing, including its application to product development, is required.
Proven experience owning responsibility for product launches (consumer, raw materials)
Ability to partner with broader R&D team, manufacturing plants, and external suppliers
Good To Have
Sensory: analytical (R&D, Operations) and affective (consumer)
Statistics: Design of Experiments, Six Sigma
Global Experience: consumer packaged goods companies, ingredient suppliers, flavor & fragrance suppliers
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS AND WORKING CONDITIONS (WITH OR WITHOUT REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION):
Travel: 10 - 25%
Lifting/Carrying: Capable of carrying items 10 lbs. or more
Capable of conducting work at company facility, third party pilot plants, with potential visits to manufacturing facilities (company owned, third party)
At Ardent Mills, everyone matters and everyone has a voice. We are committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal opportunities are available to all applicants and team members and the decisions will be based on merit, competence, performance, and business needs. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, national origin, aboriginality, ancestry, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, physical or mental disability, pregnancy, genetic information, veteran status, age, political affiliation, or any other non-merit characteristic protected by law or not. Together, celebrating our differences, we make Ardent Mills.
The preceding position description has been designed to indicate the general nature and essential duties and responsibilities of work performed by employees within this position. It may not contain a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees in this position. The description, duties, functions, and responsibilities are subject to change at the discretion of Ardent Mills.
Location:
Denver CO
Address
1875 Lawrence Street, Denver CO, 80202
Additional Locations (if applicable):
Employment Type
Full time
Additional Information
Competitive Compensation:
We provide market-driven base pay, based on skills, abilities, and level of experiences. Our salary ranges are broad, and individual salary will be market competitive based on a candidate’s unique set of skills and level of experience. The starting range for this position is $86,200.00 - $114,915.90, with additional earning potential possible commensurate with experience. Additionally, we believe that our team members are the reason for our success and all team members are incentive eligible with a target based on contribution, company performance, and individual results achieved. While the specific bonus plan and target amount will be determined based on the role and breadth of contributions, the targeted bonus plan and targeted percentage amount for this role is Bonus - MIP, 10% Annual.
Benefits
At Ardent Mills we offer a wide range of benefits to our team members and their eligible family members. Some of our great benefit programs you may be eligible for include:
Medical, Dental and Vision Coverage
Health and Dependent Savings Accounts
Life and Disability Programs
Voluntary Benefit Programs
Company Sponsored Wellness Programs
Retirement Savings with Company Match
Team Member and Family Assistance Program (EAP)
Paid Time Off and Paid Holidays
Employee Recognition Program with Rewards (RAVE).
Application Deadline
