Senior Food Scientist

Sr Food Scientist

Summary of the Position:

The Sr. Food Scientist is responsible for hands-on, day-to-day technical project management, new product development, product optimization, and cost optimization as well as quality improvements activities across all JBSS business channels and all JBSS product categories. The person in this role provides technical leadership and ownership in developing private label innovative products in nuts, mixes, snacks, etc. The Sr. Food Scientist may also assist with fulfilling the numerous sample requests that R&D receives, leading various innovation projects from benchtop to execution and managing customer relationships.

Functions of the Position:

• Provides technical project management to lead the projects involving setting up team meetings, collaborating X-functionally to determine risks and mitigation plans. Works with engineering, packaging, and operations teams to determine formula and process to deliver consumer driven new products.
• Collaborates with internal (marketing/sales) and external customers on new item and sample requests – to ensure objectives are being addressed clearly, efficiently, and on time.
• Creatively leverages external suppliers for necessary new raw materials, flavors, and resources such as sensory evaluation.
• Works with internal resources (R&D team, production, accounting, procurement, etc.) to develop innovative and on-trend formulas that are compatible with JBSS capabilities.
• Integrates into JBSS production – works with schedulers, supervisors, operators, packaging, QA, etc. to scale-up and commercialize products.
• Documents raw material and finished good specifications and integration into JBSS systems.
• Collaborates with technical services on allergen, Kosher, labeling, specification and claims issues.
• Documents JBSS processes and procedures. Updates and maintains R&D records.
• Collaborates with Procurement and Production on cost optimization projects.
• Participates in JBSS SVA initiatives.
• Responsible for manufacturing, distributing and consistently maintaining safe and quality food by following current good manufacturing practices, allergen/sanitation controls, food defense/food fraud, HACCP/FSMA, SQF, and regulatory requirements.
• Aware and accountable for maintaining and documenting preventative controls necessary to ensure food safety and quality.
• Responsible for immediately reporting all food safety and quality issues to management.
• Responsible for partnering with others, sharing knowledge, skills, and information within assigned team and across functional areas.
• Responsible for enhancing technical and functional competencies, as well as professional and leadership development.

Qualifications:

Education, Experience, and Knowledge-

• Bachelor’s degree in food science/technology or food / chemical engineering is required. MS or Ph.D. in science or engineering would be preferred.
• Seven plus years of experience in the food industry working in R&D and/or product development. Private label experience is preferred.
• Proven track record of technical innovation, technical skills, product development with food products required. Culinary experience is preferred.
• Experience in consumer driven product development experience is highly desired.
• Experience in defining project scope, influencing and leadership skills are required.
• Knowledge in regulatory is preferred, and experience with Product Vision software is highly desirable.

Skills and Competencies:

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications required.
• Excellent communication and cross-functional teamwork skills are necessary.
• Project management skills are needed.
• Able to maintain work area neat and organized.