Food Product Technologist

Posted: 01-Jul-26
Location: Coldwater, Michigan
Type: Full Time

About the role

This role is for an early career professional or someone with a couple of years of experience. It offers early career professionals the chance to take ownership of real products, real timelines, and real business impact. You will not sit on the sidelines. You will work directly in a manufacturing environment where your decisions influence what gets produced, how it performs, and how quickly it reaches customers.

Responsibilities

• Manage 10–15+ active projects across product development and commercialization
• Own Bill of Materials (BOM) accuracy, timing, and execution, product specifications
• Support plant trials, validations, and production implementation
• Partner with Operations, QA, and cross-functional teams to solve problems quickly
• Translate product requirements into clear specifications and production-ready outputs
• Prioritize competing demands in a fast-moving environment
• Provide technical support for customer and internal needs

What makes this role exciting

• High ownership early in your career
• Direct exposure to plant operations and real-time decision making
• Fast-paced environment with constant variety and challenge
• Opportunity to influence product outcomes at scale
• Independence to manage your work while being supported by experienced mentors

Ideal candidate profile

This role is ideal for people who…

• Thrive in a fast-paced environment and can manage multiple projects and shift priorities at once
• Are detail-oriented and execution-focused, ensuring accuracy and getting things right the first time
• Enjoy working independently while solving problems, applying practical thinking in real-world manufacturing settings

This role is not ideal for people who…

• Prefer a slow-paced, highly structured environment with predictable workflows
• Want a traditional lab or bench-based R&D role instead of plant-based execution
• Struggle with ambiguity, multitasking, or making decisions without perfect information

Career growth

This role builds a strong foundation in product development, commercialization, and plant operations. You will gain experience that prepares you for advanced roles in R&D, technical leadership, or broader commercial and operational functions within the business.

Requirements

• Degree in Meat Science, Food Science, Animal Science, or related field
• Less than 3 years of relevant experience or internships
• Strong ability to manage multiple priorities at once
• Comfort working in a fast-paced, sometimes ambiguous environment
• Solid problem-solving skills and practical thinking

Skills & Mindset

• Detail-oriented with strong accuracy in execution
• Self-starter who takes ownership without constant direction
• Strong communicator across technical and non-technical teams
• Able to challenge assumptions and improve processes
• Comfortable balancing desk-based work with plant execution
• Demonstrates common sense and sound judgment

About Clemens Food Group LLC

We’re a sixth-generation family-owned business founded in Hatfield, Pennsylvania. Clemens Food Group is the 5th largest pork processor in the U.S. We are committed to animal care, led by our core values of Ethics, Integrity, and Stewardship. We provide quality pork products for retail, foodservice, and manufacturing customers alike, delivering impressive products and exceptional service.