R&D Meat Scientist

Responsibilities

• Design and execute applied R&D projects focused on product quality, yield improvement, shelf-life extension, and process optimization
• Develop and optimize formulations, processes, and product specifications to meet customer, quality, regulatory, and operational requirements
• Lead plant trials and scale-up, troubleshooting processing issues such as bind, emulsion, purge, texture variability, yield, and cook loss
• Own precise documentation of formulas, specifications, protocols, and process parameters, and prepare clear technical reports
• Partner with Operations, Engineering, QA, Sales and Marketing, and Regulatory to translate business and customer needs into technical solutions
• Monitor industry trends, emerging technologies, and competitive products to identify opportunities

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Meat Science, Food Science, Animal Science, or related discipline; Master's or PhD preferred
• Minimum of 3-5 years of hands-on experience in meat / food product development
• Strong understanding of meat functionality (protein bind, blending, water activity, cook loss, emulsions) and processing systems
• Experience in USDA-regulated facilities; working knowledge of USDA-FSIS regulations, HACCP, food-safety management systems, and USDA labeling requirements and standards of identity
• Proven ability to translate scientific results into practical, commercial solutions, with strong documentation and communication skills
• Experience in pork processing preferred but not required

Other Duties

• Please note, this job description is not designated to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job.

Work Environment

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to a variety of extreme conditions on the site including exposure to fumes or airborne particles, moving mechanical parts and vibration.
• The noise level in the work environment can be loud and hearing protection is required.
• The position regularly works near moving mechanical parts and in cold, hot, and outdoor conditions that include inclement weather, heat and humidity, and exposure to dust.

Physical Demand

• Work is primarily performed in an office setting in a manufacturing environment requiring the ability to sit, talk, hear, frequent walking, standing, and sitting;
• use hands to finger, handle, or feel;
• reach with hands and arms and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.
• Absolutely no lifting or carrying is required.

Background Screening/Checks

• This offer of employment is contingent upon the results of a satisfactory background check, which may include verification of employment, education, criminal background, driving history, and other relevant information deemed job-related and lawful.