Working independently, the Food Scientist II is responsible for the development of new products across Coffee, Tea and Extracts from concept to commercialization. Requires work with multi-disciplinary groups to innovate, optimize and customize food ingredients. Consults directly with sales and customers to meet expectations. This position reports to the Product Development Manager.
Primary Job Functions:
- Product Development
- Project Requests
- Commercialization
- Technical Support
- Trade show planning and attendance
- Raw material assessment
- Additional tasks or projects outside "core" responsibilities
Key Responsibilities:
- Ideate and develop new product prototypes and optimization to existing products
- Improve existing products by optimizing product attributes
- Develop and maintain accurate records related to the products such as formulas, label development, production process, HACCP, product specification, nutritional data, shelf life, etc.
- Participate on product development teams and cross-functional teams to be the Product Development advocate as applicable
- Independently completes project requests as assigned on-time
- Provide application samples and usage recommendations, as needed
- Tracks project trends and optimizes processes for product development
- Oversee scale-up from bench to production trials
- Develop processing parameters with current equipment for better efficiency and yields
- Troubleshoot trials and provide recommendations for corrective action
- Provide technical support to customers seeking product information and advice as it pertains to product application/usage levels
- Travel independently with Salesperson on customer demonstrations; work with R&D on site.
- Demonstrate knowledge of field protocols and procedures that support products and solutions to Westrock customers
- Provide comprehensive reports on complex data analysis and summaries
- Serve as Product Development lead on trade show planning teams
- Provide technical assistance to sales in the trade show booth
- Evaluate, approve, and analyze risk of new or existing ingredients
- Evaluate new raw materials and conduct sensory analysis with a cross-functional group.
- Evaluate technical specification documentation for compliance with Westrock requirements
- Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned.
Qualifications
Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Food Technology, Food Engineering or related field or relevant industry experience.
- Minimum of 3 years of Product Development experience; or equivalent combination of education and experience
- Strong understanding of food science principles
- Adept Sensory skills and knowledge of sensory evaluation techniques.
- Experience and knowledge with nutritional data generation and regulatory requirements from USDA and FDA as well as State and local health and food safety code.
- Knowledge of SQF quality systems and related requirements.
- Combination of strong analytical skills and creative thinking.
- Must have excellent PC computer skills and ability to manage data electronically.
- Self-motivated, outgoing, self-starter
- Must be hard working, reliable and accurate, and able to produce quality lab work at high work load.
- Must be willing to travel when needed.
Equal Opportunity Employer / Vets / Disabled