Food Scientist

About the role

The R&D scientist will concentrate on creating, developing, and launching new products. They will also plan for continuous improvements and participate in cross-functional projects. This role involves qualifying raw materials, ensuring label compliance, testing products and ingredients, managing databases, and analyzing data. The ideal candidate will be eager to learn, demonstrate strong critical thinking abilities, be focused on finding solutions, and excel in a team environment.

Responsibilities

• Adhere to and support all company safety policies and procedures.
• Lead the formulation and development of new products.
• Re-engineer existing products for improved performance.
• Ensure product aesthetics and physical attributes align with customer expectations.
• Verify label compliance with AAFCO standards.
• Define and oversee all critical factors related to ingredients and processing.
• Facilitate effective technology transfer across procurement, manufacturing, quality, engineering, and warehousing before product launch.
• Ensure feeding studies are completed and meet or exceed benchmarks.
• Contribute to the design and execution of trials aimed at improving existing products or developing new ones.
• Review new and existing labels to ensure regulatory compliance.
• Support the resolution of critical issues and investigations into product performance.
• Reverse engineer existing products to understand their composition and functionality.
• Assist in the management and root cause analysis of non-conforming materials.
• Maintain established housekeeping standards in the designated area.

Requirements

• Master’s degree in companion animal nutrition, animal sciences, food sciences, chemical engineering, or related field.
• Prior pet food R&D experience is highly desirable and preferred.
• Knowledge and understanding of pet food nutrition and pet food regulations.
• Strong knowledge of raw materials and ingredients functionality.
• Ability to work in teams.
• Knowledge of retorting is a plus but not required.
• Ability to evaluate research data and draw reasonable conclusions and initiate next steps.

Skills

• Skilled in MS Office applications and have experience with formulation software such as Concept 5 or Best Mix. Experience with SAP is advantageous but not mandatory.
• Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedural manuals.
• Ability to write routine reports and correspondence.
• Ability to speak effectively before groups of customers or employees of the organization.
• German or Dutch language speaking skills is an advantage.
• Ability to work with mathematical concepts such as probability and statistical inference, and apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations.
• Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists.
• Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.

Allergen Awareness

Products produced in this facility may contain the following allergens: Egg, Shellfish, Fish, Gluten.

Physical Demands

The employee is regularly required to use hands, fingers, handle, feel, reach with hands and arms. The employee is required to stand, climb, sit, walk, talk and hear. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 15 pounds, frequently lift and/or move up to 30 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distant vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

Location

Terre Haute, IN.