SR. FOOD TECHNOLOGIST MOTLEY PLANT

Trident Seafoods is North America's largest vertically integrated seafood harvesting and processing company. Privately held and 100% USA-owned, Trident operates globally in 6 countries and serves customers in nearly 60 countries. Headquartered in Seattle, Washington, the company employs approximately 7,700 people worldwide and partners with over 2,700 independent fishermen and crewmembers in Alaska. Trident catches and processes virtually every commercial species of salmon, whitefish, and crab harvested in the North Pacific and Alaska, with a global supply chain that includes cultured and wild species sourced from an international network of trusted suppliers.

About the role

The Senior Food Technologist is a customer-focused and results-driven food scientist who collaborates with world-class food scientists and chefs, specializing in Alaskan seafood. This role leads R&D projects in an assigned product category, developing new and improved product formulations and processes, and provides expertise and guidance to the broader R&D team. The position operates as a project lead, supported by other R&D team members, and collaborates with customers and stakeholders to drive innovation and clear communication.

Responsibilities

• Leads end-to-end product development and renovation projects in the assigned product category, leveraging core capabilities to deliver solutions.
• Manages and develops concept prototypes, collaborating with ingredient suppliers on new designs, ingredient improvements, and cost optimizations.
• Tracks new functional ingredients for unique product attributes, product improvement, and cost reduction opportunities.
• Supports and guides other R&D team members on innovation, process, and product improvement projects.
• Contributes to New Product Development (NPD) creative exploration (10% of job scope), including creating innovation work plans, execution, and follow-up.
• Leads, initiates, produces, and supplies product samples designed to meet project scope.
• Efficiently leads R&D projects through all development stages and commercialization.
• Creates R&D specifications and documents all tests (lab and plant trials), compiling and recording testing data for ingredient performance, production tests, and ongoing projects.
• Initiates, performs, and provides guidance in bench-top research, evaluation of new ingredients, product formulations, lab experiments, shelf-life testing, and production trials.
• Leads sensory evaluations, product cuttings, and presentations to vendors and customer groups, introducing or re-acquainting them to specific products, ingredient features, benefits, requirements, and application techniques.
• Ensures adequate supply of first production samples, retains, and bench controls for cook validation, product cuttings, and shelf-life tests.
• Participates in the development and communication of Trident R&D leadership strategy.

The essential functions listed are not exhaustive; other duties may be assigned as needed to meet business requirements.

Requirements

• 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.

Preferred Qualifications

• A master’s degree in food science or a related field; or the equivalent combination of education and years of experience.
• Strong working knowledge of 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.

Skills

• 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 for data analysis and problem-solving.

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. Personal protective equipment (PPE) may be required.

Work Ability Requirements

• May require standing for extended periods and frequent walking between work areas.
• Lifting and carrying ingredients or product samples up to 25-50 pounds.
• Occasional travel to manufacturing facilities, suppliers, customers, or industry events (up to 10%).

Located in Motley, Minnesota.

Pay

This is a salaried-exempt position with a pay range of $95,000 to $135,000 per year.

Benefits

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance plans.
• Optional HRA/HSA accounts.
• Telemedicine, employee assistance, and wellness programs.
• Long-term disability, basic life, and AD&D insurance.
• 401(k) with company match.
• Paid time off, accruing up to 112 hours per year starting on the first day of employment.
• 10 paid holidays each year.
• Paid parental leave.
• Up to 48 hours of sick leave per year, in accordance with company policy.
• Discretionary/performance-based incentives for full-time employees.

This position is not eligible for immigration sponsorship.