Senior Food Technologist

Purpose of the Position

Responsible for the development of new products and / or improvement of existing products to meet strategic business objectives and provide customer support. Assumes complete ownership for a range of products or customer platforms.

Essential Position Responsibilities

• Project, Product Champion
• Fits new customers into our existing array of products or develops line extensions or product improvements for existing customers
• Meets with customers independently of supervisor, with sales account manager to define scope of new projects
• Drives the evaluation of target brand assessment and monitoring efforts
• Demonstrates leadership qualities with respect to product design capabilities with strong communication skills
• Product Development
• The role spans the full length of the product development cycle, which includes conceptual development, formulation, implementation, validation and continuous management and improvement
• Works closely with the technical staff of customers or suppliers
• Develop, bench test, scale-up, and commercialize new products/technologies in accordance with guidelines established in Project Initiation Request
• Factors include product attributes as well as development costs, finished product costs, and timing
• Demonstrates product and project ownership to ensure that all parameters are optimized
• Nutritional, Regulatory and Finished Product Compliance
• Utilizes existing product formulation approach to assure finished product nutritional adequacy (label and nutrition claim) applying statistical data from key raw materials (z value)
• Develop a label deck from a master formula which considers all potential processing locations
• Manages the submission of products for analytical, animal or consumer testing and summarizes results and next steps
• Submit products for analytical or animal resting as required by the supervisor and summarize results
• Participates in project teams to evaluate product non-conformance incidence with products under their responsibility
• Collects and analyzes information as required to analyze raw material/process interactions
• Process, Operations and Supply Chain Support
• Leads supply chain initiatives including formula transfer among plants, evaluation of new suppliers of raw materials, increased or decreased use of existing raw materials, and evaluation of processing parameters
• Affords assistance in process evaluation testing as required by the supervisor
• Develops knowledge of critical process points in conjunction with the process engineering group
• Sums up results of previous tests and of sequential processing conditions or runs for a particular formula to assist in troubleshooting and data interpretation
• Participates as a member of the Team
• Participates in the ongoing development, communication and implementation of team concepts, programs and policies; coordinates work to ensure best practices with all team members
• Attends appropriate team meetings
• As a member of the Team, fosters strong cohesiveness regarding all major issues; e.g., direction, annual plan, budget, policy changes, etc.
• Accepts responsibility to quickly identify any areas that lack cohesiveness, bringing them to the attention of the team leader and working with the team in a supportive manner to resolve issues and actively look for ways, and reinforce actions needed, to achieve synergy possible within the larger organization
• Simmons Operating systems principles and objectives: Is familiar with Simmons’ established operating systems (e.g. quality, security, office environment, company policies, LEAN); understands the responsibility to maintain familiarity with the systems and this position’s role in support of these systems - including a consideration of the impact of individual actions on the systems and the responsibility to communicate concerns and improvement ideas
• Performs other duties as necessary in support of business objectives

Physical Activities

• Enters and locates information on a computer
• Visually verifies information, often in small print
• Communicates with Customers, Vendors, or Employees via telephone, in person, and/or electronic mail
• May present information to small or large groups
• Must be able to work in various temperatures
• Move about in a manufacturing environment, kitchen environment, office environment, and surrounding property
• Lifts heavy boxes, equipment or other required objects (up to 50 lbs.) as needed
• Will use laboratory/kitchen/cooking equipment
• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): As needed in required environment
• Travel: Travels domestically to and from multiple facilities or work-sites or customer visits, often requiring overnight stays. Approximately 25% travel

Technical Experience

• Minimum 3 years’ experience in product development and/or technical services is required
• Must have excellent computer skills with respect to the Microsoft Office Suite
• Experience with Concept 5 is a plus
• Will be expected to quickly learn company business integration software suites
• Strong data entry skills are required (accurate and efficient)
• Intermediate to advanced level skills in Excel and PowerPoint as well as experience preparing documents for presentation
• Experience in commercial product development and in the pet food or food industry is desirable
• A working knowledge of applicable regulations in various countries is desirable

Industry Experience

• R&D knowledge in the food manufacturing industry preferred

Minimum Education

• Bachelor's Degree in Meat Science or Animal Science, or Food Science, or 4 years related experience.

Preferred Education

• Master’s degree in related field.