Product Development Scientist

Job Description

Job Description

Company Description

At Oterra, we are leading the global movement toward natural colors in food, beverages, dietary supplements, and pet food. Guided by the belief that nature got it right the first time, we partner with customers around the world to create innovative, naturally sourced solutions that make a meaningful impact.

Our people are at the center of everything we do. We foster a collaborative and purpose-driven culture where employees are encouraged to learn, grow, and contribute to meaningful work every day. With a growing U.S. facility in Mount Pleasant, Oterra offers exciting opportunities to join a global organization committed to innovation, sustainability, and employee development.

This position works under limited supervision and is primarily responsible for the understanding and development of basic to complex colors formulations for specific applications and scaling up in commercial production facility with the purpose of advancing the growth of Oterra. The position will develop cross-functional relationships, functioning as the technical advisor to the internal stakeholders at Oterra.
The successful applicant will have a strong background in food science, preferably food chemistry as they will need to apply scientific and engineering principles in the research, development and production of color formulations. The applicant should have experience with Project management, specifically within Product Development, and preferably experienced in interacting cross-functionally with Production, Quality and Sales acting as the technical expert.

1. Handles simple to complex color formulation projects in a timely manner starting at the lab bench level through to commercialization. 
2. Interacts with external customers, sales, applications scientists, and other departments internally as needed in defining specific technical parameters for projects to meet customer needs.
3. Serves as project manager for simple to complex development projects from conception through launch by following a defined launch excellence process.
4. Maintains written technical documentation, and product and process specifications.
5. May coordinate work of technicians and others who assist in specific project assignments.
6. Conducts in-person consultation with customers from conception through commercialization in their facilities.
7. Serves as a regional technical expert for color formulations for the regional Oterra stakeholders.
8. Supports production with upscaling and troubleshooting including the ability to interpret food standards, safety and sanitary regulations and good manufacturing practices.
9. Maintains safe working environment by practicing and enforcing established safety procedures.
10. Learns and uses processing equipment in lab and pilot plant with minimal supervision including studying, developing and applying new methods to assess color formulations.
11. Provides training for QC and production personnel in new formulations and analytical methods.

1. Bachelor’s in Chemistry, Biology, Biochemistry, Food Science, Pharmaceutical Science or related field with 5+ years of relevant experience; or MSc with 3+ years of relevant experience; or Ph.D. in Chemistry, Food Science, Pharmaceutical Science or related field.
2. Strong experience with project management and stakeholder management, preferably experience with managing development projects.
3. Deep knowledge of food ingredients and processing. Experience with color ingredients is an advantage.
4. Experience with customer interaction and driving customer projects.
5. General understanding of analytical techniques and food quality and safety.
6. Ability to read, collect data, analyze, and interpret technical information, as well as write and present reports and technical papers.
7. Ability to distinguish colors in a wide variety of applications and media.  Must have excellent color vision.  (Color Vision Testing Required.)
8. Proficient in Microsoft Office tools and programs (e.g. Excel, Word, PowerPoint, etc.)

Working Conditions

Working environment is generally favorable.  Lighting, temperature and noise levels are adequate with occasional exposure to cold temperatures.  Personal Protective Equipment is required when working in the laboratory.  This includes a lab coat, and if necessary, safety glasses, dust mask or gloves.  When working in the production plant, a hair/beard net, safety glasses and safety shoes are required and GLP/GMP guidelines must be followed.

The job is onsite in Mt. Pleasant, WI and travel up to 25% of working time is required. General work schedule meets first shift expectations but hours are flexible to meet personal and business needs.

Physical Demands

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand, walk, talk and hear.  The employee is regularly required to lift and/or move materials or equipment up to 25 lbs. and occasionally required to lift up to 50 lbs.  Use of hands to handle or touch objects, tools or controls is frequently required.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include vision, color vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus.  Employee is occasionally exposed to moving mechanical parts, fumes or airborne particles and toxic or caustic chemicals.