Senior Food Scientist - Grand Rapids, United States - Roskam Foods

    Roskam Foods
    Roskam Foods Grand Rapids, United States

    3 weeks ago

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    Description

    This position will report directly to Director of R&D and is responsible for providing technical expertise, innovative ideas, and coordinating and/or completing all aspects of the product development process from concept to commercialization while leading/collaborating with a cross-functional team to provide timely and cost-effective innovation, product improvements, and cost savings to drive the growth of the company.

    **RELOCATION ASSISTANCE PROVIDED, IF NEEDED**

    Essential Duties and Responsibilities:


    • Project Management – Developing project plans and leading cross-functional teams.


    • Assists in the training of research and development personnel. Act as a mentor for team members with less experience.


    • Ability to lead other team members in projects and tasks.


    • Supports Sales, Marketing, and Customers in Idea Generation


    • Bench-Top new product development to deliver on consumer/consumer objectives utilizing scientific techniques.


    • Ability to communicate on a technical level with customer accounts.


    • Demonstrates sound understanding of formulation and process design for safe quality foods (GMPs, SQF, HACCP)


    • Proven ability to translate concepts into manufacturing friendly products.


    • Conducts pilot plant and production line trials.


    • Coordinates with operations and finance to set standards, yields and throughputs.


    • Specification and process parameter development utilizing electronic systems and templates.


    • Provides production start-up support.


    • Leads internal and external customer meetings and product presentations.


    • Supports Sales, Marketing, and Customers in Idea Generation


    • Evaluates the impact of product and process challenges.


    • Possesses the ability to create ingredient statements and nutritional panels.


    • Maintains awareness of current market trends through participation in food shows, sales meetings, technical presentations, reviewing periodicals, and partnerships with suppliers and recommends new products or ingredients.


    • Initiates formulation and/or process optimization projects.


    • Works with the technical service team to support continuous improvement initiatives.


    • Supports managements ESG initiatives identifying and tracking Better For You product development and GHG emission reduction projects.


    • Identifies, sources, evaluates, and obtains necessary approvals for new and/or alternate ingredients and suppliers.


    • Possesses the knowledge to review labels for accuracy of technical information.


    • Conducts Shelf-Life Testing and Sensory Evaluations


    • Maintains awareness of current FDA regulations as they relate to food processing and labeling.

    Required Qualifications:


    • B.S. Degree in Food Science or related field required.


    • 8+ years of research and development experience.


    • Work knowledge of GMP's, food safety, SQF, and HACCP programs


    • Requires excellent analytical, organizational, and multi-tasking skills, as well as the ability to interact and collaborate successfully with all levels and functional areas.


    • Broad knowledge base of ingredients, and lab analytical equipment functionality.


    • Demonstrated success in leading cross functional teams.


    • Ability and drive to learn new product platforms.