Senior Food Technologist (Dry Applications)

About the role

Built on flavor. Fueled by people. Join Kinder, a privately held and founder-led company with over 100 products sold nationwide, and be part of a journey to add flavor to millions of meals and lives every day.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical support for all product development activities for dry applications projects from exploratory/concept through commercialization.
• Design and execute product development innovation, renovation, cost optimization and quality initiatives.
• Follow-through on product refinements based on PD, Marketing, and Customer feedback.
• Leverage vendor capabilities and co-packers to expand formulation possibilities, new ingredients, product technologies and to increase speed to market.
• Manage internal cuttings providing guidance on product development.
• Optimize product formulations based on consumer feedback, ingredient opportunities, nutritional guidelines, and cost constraints.
• Support new product launches including plant trials and initial production runs at contract manufacturers.
• Confirm specifications are met for product. With process engineer, confirm specs are met for package, and process.
• Capture and analyze shelf-life stability testing data for new products.
• Coordinate logistics for plant trial unique raw materials and sample delivery/acquisition.

Requirements

• BS Degree in Food Science, Chemical Engineering, or a similar discipline.
• 3-5 years food industry experience.
• Knowledge of food manufacturing, formulation and ingredient functionality for sauces.
• Familiarity with food safety and microbiology.
• Familiarity with packaging technology to evaluate adequacy of packaging.
• Familiarity with food labeling regulations.
• Familiarity with sensory evaluation procedures.
• Excellent time management skills, sense of urgency, and desire to complete all assignments on a timely basis.
• Ability to travel up to 30% of the time.

Qualifications

• Growth mindset with an excitement to learn (and teach).
• Passionate people-lover excited by the opportunity to build strong relationships with teammates and consumers.
• Low ego with a strong sense of humility.
• Thrives in a dynamic, lean, and agile environment.
• Collaborative mindset with an ability to find creative solutions.
• Self-starter who takes initiative and is willing to speak their mind.
• Excited to be part of a fast-moving team with the ability to be a leader and a follower where required.
• Enjoy making decisions and finding ways to say ‘yes’ as often as possible to impactful and important priorities.

Skills

• Working knowledge of food safety and microbiology.
• Familiarity with packaging technology to evaluate adequacy of packaging.
• Familiarity with food labeling regulations.
• Familiarity with sensory evaluation procedures.

Benefits

• Paid time off.
• 401k.
• Bonus / incentive eligibility.
• Equity grants.
• Competitive health benefits.
• Other family-friendly benefits, including parental leave.

Pay

The expected starting salary range for this role is $115,000–$125,000 per year. We may ultimately pay more or less than the posted range based on the location of the role. The amount a particular employee will earn within the salary range will be based on factors such as relevant education, qualifications, performance, and business needs.

Location

This position will be based onsite in Walnut Creek, CA. Travel will be required up to 30% of the time.

Personal Characteristics

• Growth mindset with an excitement to learn (and teach).
• Passionate people-lover excited by the opportunity to build strong relationships with teammates and consumers.
• Low ego with a strong sense of humility.
• Thrives in a dynamic, lean, and agile environment.
• Collaborative mindset with an ability to find creative solutions.
• Self-starter who takes initiative and is willing to speak their mind.
• Excited to be part of a fast-moving team with the ability to be a leader and a follower where required.
• Enjoy making decisions and finding ways to say ‘yes’ as often as possible to impactful and important priorities.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Kinder's is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, ancestry, national origin, gender, citizenship, marital status, religion, age, disability, gender identity, results of genetic testing, veteran status, as well as any other legally-protected characteristic.