Food Safety Quality Associate Chemist 2027

Cargill’s size and scale allows us to make a positive impact in the world. Our purpose is to nourish the world in a safe, responsible and sustainable way. We are a family company providing food, ingredients, agricultural solutions and industrial products that are vital for living. We connect farmers with markets so they can prosper, customers with ingredients so they can make meals people love, and families with daily essentials — from eggs to edible oils, salt to skincare, feed to alternative fuel. Our 160,000 colleagues, operating in 70 countries, make essential products that touch billions of lives each day.

About the role

As an associate, we transfer your knowledge and skills into profound experiences that positively impact our global community. From food to transportation, your innovative solutions, collaboration and dedication will evolve industries to take on tomorrow's greatest challenges. This role ensures products meet or exceed customer requirements for quality and food safety. You will apply a basic understanding of plant processes to monitor quality assurance systems including instrumentation calibration, maintenance, crosschecks, methods, procedures, raw materials, food safety, and training. You will provide technical advice and support to production operations to ensure product quality, minimize process variation, process recoveries, waste reduction, cost minimization, and improve customer satisfaction.

Responsibilities

• Assure product meets compliance specifications and overall final product approval checks.
• Perform data analysis, trend identification, troubleshooting, corrective action, and communication regarding processing data.
• Assess process quality parameters and food safety and quality systems daily, including cross checks, raw materials, calibration, maintenance, procedures, food safety, training, auditing, and oversight of analytical testing performed in control rooms.
• Train new food safety and quality chemists, analysts, operators, technicians, and personnel from other functional areas.
• Handle basic issues and problems under direct supervision, escalating more complex issues to appropriate staff.
• Other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Right to work in the U.S. that is not based solely on possession of a student visa or a visa sponsored by a third-party employer.
• Currently pursuing or have recently graduated with a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in a technical science program (e.g., Chemistry, Food Science, Biochemistry, Microbiology, Biology, or related technical science degree, excluding social sciences), with a graduation date between December 2025 – Summer 2027.
• Geographically flexible to relocate to one of the following locations: Blair, NE; Dayton, OH; Eddyville, IA; Cedar Rapids, IA; Fort Dodge, IA; Hammond, IN; Wahpeton, ND.
• Ability to work a 12-hour rotating shift that includes nights, weekends, and holidays.
• Proven ability to work optimally with individuals from a diverse set of backgrounds and cultures.
• Must possess a high degree of initiative and resourcefulness in completing work with limited guidance.

Preferred Qualifications

• Ability to adapt and learn in a changing work environment.
• Experience with email, spreadsheet, and word processing applications.
• Strong analytical skills to evaluate change factors and formulate independent decisions.
• Ability to anticipate, recognize, and seek process and laboratory problems, implementing improvements based on findings.

Pay

The expected salary for this position is $67,000. The disclosed salary has not been adjusted for the applicable geographic differential associated with the location at which the position may be filled.

Benefits

At Cargill, we offer a comprehensive benefit program designed to meet your health, financial, and work/life needs. You’ll have access to a wide variety of flexible and inclusive programs, including:

• Medical and other benefits dependent on the position offered and hours worked.
• Minnesota-based employees: Minnesota Sick and Safe Leave accruals of one hour for every 30 worked, up to 48 hours per calendar year unless otherwise provided by law.

Learn more about Cargill’s comprehensive and competitive benefits program at: Your Benefits | Cargill.

Schedule

This role may require individuals to work different shifts, including 12-hour rotating shifts that cover evenings, nights, weekends, and holidays.

Work Environment

Our FSQR roles are located in an industrial/processing plant environment. The plant environment is team-based, fast-paced, and hands-on. This position requires a moderate amount of physical exertion on a fairly regular basis. The work may also involve other exertions, conditions, or exposures (e.g., heat, cold, working in a wet environment).

Diversity & Inclusion

At Cargill, you will be part of a vibrant global community with a culture that celebrates diversity. Business Resource Groups (BRGs) help us embrace our diversity, make our culture more inclusive, and enhance our employees’ outstanding talents and perspectives. Learn more at: Diversity, Equity and Inclusion | Cargill.