Research and Development Specialist  

Job Description:

• This person will work primarily on the development of cold dessert.
• This individual will lead lower to moderately complex product development projects, develop formulas, processing procedures and specifications for new products, product enhancements and cost reductions.
• Uses science to study the principles underlying the processing and deterioration of foods; analyze food content; discover new food sources; research ways to make processed foods safe, palatable, and healthful; and apply food science knowledge to determine best ways to process, package, preserve, store, and distribute food.
• Develops experimental formulas, processing procedures and specifications for raw ingredients, subassemblies and finished products for new products, product improvements, and cost reductions, meeting pricing, marketing, regulations and operational goals.
• Organizes and manages moderately complex test runs to validate or modify formulas and processing procedures to develop final specifications for the production and reproducibility of finished products.
• Works with team members to ensure successful start-ups of new products, product improvements, cost reductions, and ingredient formula specification or process changes.
• Evaluates ingredients and processing techniques to identify and commercialize simple product improvement and cost reduction opportunities.
• Evaluates, confirms acceptability, creates/updates specifications and implements proposed ingredients or process for Supplier Optimization.
• Provides technical solutions to production issues as it relates to ingredient, formulas, processing procedures, and specifications to ensure continuous production and maintain product quality and safety.
• Documents project status, progress issues, solutions timeline, and accountability according to established procedures and guidelines, providing timely and effective oral and written communication and reports.
• Supports innovation in the development of new ideas, products, or product platforms through ideation sessions and bench-top experimentation.

Education & Experience Required:

• A Bachelor of Science degree in Food Technology, Food Science or related field, and 1-4 years experience in a Reaserch & Development position, OR a Master’s Degree in Food Science or related field. Experience with ice cream products preferred. 2+ years experience within a Cold and Frozen Dessert manufacturing based Product Development role is preferred

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:

• Demonstrated ability to meet deadlines and effectively communicate with colleagues
• Comfortable with taking initiative and driving for results
• Keen attention to detail and process
• Strong PC skills, including Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Excel, Word & Powerpoint
• Ability to taste and ingest any type of food product currently under development
• Thorough understanding of food ingredients, food chemistry, food processing, and food functionality
• Ability to comprehend complex technical articles, research papers, or presentations, and apply technical knowledge learned
• Must be adaptable to change
• Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, draw valid conclusions, and offer solutions
• Prior experience in Product Development, preferably with ice cream and dairy products, particularly within a Cold and Frozen Dessert manufacturing environment