Sr. Food Technologist

About the role

Trident Seafoods is North America's largest vertically integrated seafood company—partnering with fishermen, employees, and communities to responsibly harvest, process, and share wild Alaska seafood with the world. With deep roots in Alaska and operating across the globe, Trident is a privately held company headquartered in Seattle, committed to nourishing the world while upholding the highest standards for safety, sustainability, and excellence. At Trident Seafoods, we work together for something bigger than ourselves. From nourishing the world with the best protein on earth to protecting our oceans, serving our fishermen, and supporting communities in Alaska and beyond, here, you'll find a values-driven culture where your growth matters, your work has purpose and your contributions are recognized and appreciated—because at Trident, we believe meaningful work connects us all.

Responsibilities

• Leads end-to-end product development and product renovation projects in the assigned product category providing solutions that leverage our core capabilities.
• Manages and develops concept prototypes.
• Effectively collaborates with ingredient suppliers on new designs, ingredient improvements, and cost optimizations for R&D driven product categories.
• Constantly tracks new functional or other new ingredient options for unique finished product attributes, product improvement and cost reduction opportunities.
• Supports and guides other R&D members on innovation and process & product improvement projects.
• Contributes to New Product Development (NPD) creative exploration (10% of job scope), creates innovation work plan in the assigned category, execution and follow up.
• Leads, initiates, produces, and supplies product samples designed to meet project scope.
• Efficiently leads R&D projects in the assigned project category through all the project development stages and commercialization.
• Creates R&D specifications and documents all tests (lab and plant trials); compiles and records testing data and charts for ingredient performance, production test information/summary and on-going projects.
• Initiates, performs, and provides guidance in bench top research and evaluation of new ingredients and product formulations, planning lab experiments, shelf-life testing and production trials.
• Leads sensory evaluations, product cuttings / presentations to various vendors and customer groups, introducing or re-acquainting them to specific products, ingredient features, benefits, requirements, and application techniques.
• Ensures adequate supply of 1st production samples retains and bench control for cook validation, product cuttings, shelf-life tests etc.

Qualifications

• A minimum of 8 years of experience in food science, manufacturing, or a related field
• A bachelor's degree in food science or a related field; or the equivalent combination of education and years of experience
• A master's degree in food science or a related field is preferred; or the equivalent combination of education and years of experience
• Strong working knowledge of the scientific methods, ingredients, product formulation and food processing to support best in class development of new, innovative food products
• Strong knowledge of labeling requirements to review nutritional and ingredient statements and recommend changes when required
• Strong working knowledge of product development and commercialization requirements, including cooking instructions validation, shelf-life testing and record keeping
• General understanding of food laws and regulations
• Solid understanding of mathematics, scientific weights, and measurements
• Basic working knowledge of MS Office, PowerPoint, Database Management and other computer applications to access information, analyze data and solve problems

Work environment

This role is split between a professional office environment and an industrial test kitchen/pilot plant setting. The employee regularly performs product development, testing, and commercialization activities in food production environments and may be exposed to temperature variations, noise, food allergens, and processing equipment. PPE may be required.

Work ability requirements

The position may require standing for extended periods, frequent walking between work areas, lifting and carrying ingredients or product samples up to 25-50 pounds, and occasional travel to manufacturing facilities, suppliers, customers, or industry events.

Pay

USD $95,000.00 - USD $135,000.00 /Hr.