R&D Food Scientist

Job Description

Job Description

Location: On-Site at Hugoton, KS Factory

Reports To: Pilot Plant Supervisor / Senior R&D Manager

About the Role

We're looking for a Food Scientist to support pilot plant operations and industrial implementation of new products. In this role, you'll assist with trial execution, data collection, and commissioning of new production lines, while ensuring hygiene, safety, and efficiency in our experimental platform. You'll also coordinate the collection of sales samples and contribute to continuous improvement initiatives.

This is a hands-on role for someone passionate about food science and process engineering who thrives in a collaborative, fast-paced manufacturing environment.

What You'll Do

Pilot Plant Operations

• Assist in planning and executing pilot plant trials with R&D project leads.
• Prepare equipment configurations and manage raw material and packaging inventory.
• Support trial execution, troubleshooting, and post-trial cleaning (CIP).
• Collect, format, and analyze trial data from acquisition systems.
• Maintain hygiene, safety, and first-level maintenance of pilot plant equipment.

Production Support & Industrial Implementation

• Support commissioning of new production lines by verifying process parameters and product specifications.
• Collaborate with R&D, Quality, Engineering, and Operations for smooth product scale-up.
• Participate in factory audits and identify optimization opportunities.
• Monitor product quality during production runs and assist in root cause analysis.

Continuous Improvement & Documentation

• Contribute to shop floor improvement initiatives focused on performance KPIs.
• Update SOPs and maintain documentation related to pilot plant operations and safety.
• Stay current with food processing technologies and propose equipment upgrades.

Training & Collaboration

• Assist in training interns and temporary staff on pilot plant procedures and safety protocols.
• Participate in technical workshops and cross-functional collaboration for product launches.

About You

• Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Chemical Engineering, Bioprocessing, or related field

• 5+ years of experience in food manufacturing operations.

• Internship or academic experience in a pilot plant or food manufacturing preferred.

• Strong foundation in food science and process engineering; hands-on experience on the plant floor.

• Basic understanding of food processing equipment and hygienic design.

• Experience in improving processes, recipes, equipment upgrades, and testing methodologies.

• Strong communication, organization, and problem-solving skills.

• Team-oriented with the ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and data analysis tools.

What's next

If this position sounds interesting, please hit the apply button now!

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We understand your resume might not be up to date and recommend that you apply with what you have or your LinkedIn Profile. Flora Food Group is dedicated to building an inclusive and diverse workplace, we understand that you might not meet all the requirements stated in the description, but we encourage you to apply anyway. You might be the right candidate for this role or other roles. 

Flora Food Group is an employer committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace and equal opportunities for all. We recruit based only on values, qualifications, performance, skills, behaviours, experience, and knowledge. We ensure job advertisements are free from unintentional bias.

No personal characteristics should be a barrier to joining Flora Food Group. We prohibit discrimination and harassment based on race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, or other personal characteristics.