Principal Scientist

About the role

As the Principal Scientist based in Buffalo, NY, you will lead the technological aspects of projects aimed at improving existing products or creating new ones within a specific product group or business channel. You will organize and implement trials from conceptual stages through project completion, ensuring goals defined by project teams are met.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical expertise on projects to improve quality, yields, or address areas identified by the company to enhance products or production processes.
• Propose ideas for new products and organize pilot plant or plant trials, interpret results, and assist in process development. Write thorough, well-structured reports with conclusions and recommendations.
• Work with plant and engineering teams to conduct feasibility studies for new product development and product improvements.
• Collaborate closely with other departments, including Marketing, Purchasing, Packaging, Manufacturing, QA, and Legal.
• Explore and evaluate ways to improve production aspects such as raw materials, production techniques, specifications, packaging, and shelf life.
• Participate in Quality Assurance activities, including HACCP analysis, good manufacturing practices, labeling, and standards of identity.
• Coordinate support activities, including maintaining complex technical notes and records of activity.
• Ensure the confidentiality of company processes and information.
• Participate in patent searches to protect company business and document findings.
• Develop and maintain contacts within the R&D company network, including collaborating on product development for other countries and subsidiaries.
• Build and sustain industry and academic contacts to stay current with technical developments.
• Act as a Research & Development Technician for routine pilot plant activities.

Requirements

Technical Skills

• Strong knowledge of cheese processing.
• Strong food technology knowledge (Microbiology, Physics, Biochemistry, Process).
• Strong mathematics knowledge, including statistics.
• Excellent communication skills for collaborating with other departments and technicians.
• Proficient computer skills with Word, Excel, and PowerPoint for report writing and presentations.

Education and/or Experience

• Master’s degree (M.S.) or equivalent in Dairy or Food Science.
• Minimum of five to ten years of related experience and/or training, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described are representative of those required to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities.

• Regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear.
• Occasionally required to stand, walk, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.
• Must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.
• Specific vision abilities required include close vision and the ability to adjust focus.

Travel

30% travel required for plant trials, training, focus groups, and supplier visits.

Benefits

We offer a comprehensive Total Rewards Program, including:

• Affordable benefits and coverage options, with significant company contributions to insurance costs.
• Generous contributions to retirement plans.
• Paid Time Off from day one.
• Professional growth opportunities, including training, development, and Education Reimbursement.