Food Scientist I

This Food Scientist I position is based at our US Headquarters in Northern Colorado, offering quick access to national parks, hiking trails, ski slopes, and numerous outdoor activities. As part of the largest global poultry company, you will contribute to feeding the world while upholding our values and culture of excellence.

About the role

As a Food Scientist, you will develop new products and improve existing ones, working closely with cross-functional teams including Operations, Operational Excellence (OE), Research and Optimization (R&O), Quality Assurance (QA), Category Marketing, Innovation, Culinary, Regulatory, Procurement, and Sales. This role focuses on product development to support customers’ product needs within the Fresh and Prepared Poultry strategies.

Responsibilities

• Execute development of new products and improvement of existing products to meet customer, brand, and operations requirements related to cost, quality, and yield.
• Perform pilot product development and renovation up to and through commercialization, analyzing results and making recommendations for full-scale implementation.
• Engage directly with vendors for benchtop, pilot line, and commercial-scale requests, including troubleshooting product and process opportunities in formulation functionality and shelf-life.
• Participate in strategic platform development, product improvement, and line extensions via technical briefs and discussions with vendors.
• Act as a technical touchpoint for customers through product sampling, technical communication, and presentations related to new product development, product improvement, and specification enhancement of value-added products.
• Work closely with cross-functional teams to address quality or yield issues of individual product specifications and processes.
• Communicate technical development activities (e.g., design of experiment, costing, data analysis) to cross-functional teams in a clear and simple manner.
• Collaborate with Operations, OE, R&O, Category Marketing, and QA teams on new product development and product/process renovation for quality and yield opportunities.
• Work cross-functionally with Marketing, Innovation, Sales, Culinary, Operations, QA, Regulatory, and Procurement teams in accordance with the stage-gate process.
• Collaborate with sensory and R&O teams to validate sensory outcomes and shelf-life requirements.
• Prepare technical data collection plans and results reports independently.
• Travel up to 50% of the time to plants and customers.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Meat Science, Poultry Science, Engineering, or a related field required.
• BS & 2-5 years of relevant, hands-on industry experience, or MS & 0-2 years of relevant, hands-on industry experience.
• Experience working in a food manufacturing facility, operations, or continuous improvement strongly preferred.
• Product development experience in the food industry required; meat protein space strongly preferred.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills; experience communicating with customers in a professional setting is strongly preferred.
• Well-versed in Project Management Systems and Recipe Development (e.g., SAP).
• Good understanding of USDA and/or FDA guidelines with occasional support from manager.
• Proficient in Microsoft Excel, Outlook, Word, PowerPoint, and Microsoft TEAMS / Cisco Webex.
• Ability to travel 30-40% of the time to plants and customers.
• Can perform the functions of the job with or without a reasonable accommodation.

Benefits

• Vision, Medical, and Dental coverage begin after 60 days of employment.
• Paid Time Off: sick leave, vacation, and 6 company-observed holidays.
• 401(k): company match begins after the first year of service and follows the company vesting schedule.
• Incentive Pay: Eligible to participate in the Company’s annual bonus plan; bonus varies and is subject to the standard terms and conditions of the incentive program.
• Career Development: Access to continuous learning opportunities and a focus on career growth through various learning and development programs.

Pay

Base salary range of $80,000–$90,000.

About us

Pilgrim’s is the second-largest chicken producer in the world, with operations in the U.S., Puerto Rico, Mexico, and the U.K. We process, prepare, package, and deliver fresh, further-processed, and value-added poultry products for sale to customers in more than 100 countries. Headquartered in Greeley, Colorado, our 1,200 employees enjoy more than 300 days of sunshine a year. Our mission is to be the best in all that we do, ensuring the best products and services for our customers, trust with our suppliers, profitability for our shareholders, and a better future for all team members.