Senior Food Scientist

Guides the product development and process improvement efforts in both new product development as well as formulation and process optimization of existing products by organizing, managing, and coordinating key projects from conception to commercialization. Ensures accurate documentation and maintenance of product specifications. Acts as technical expert to the operations, sales, and marketing teams while actively engaging with strategic vendor partners in pursuit of new ingredients, processing, and packaging technologies. 

At Butterball, we exist to help people pass love on. As the most recognized name in turkey, the brand represents more than 60 years of cherished memories, providing quality, great tasting products that make meals something to celebrate every day. We proudly believe that life at Butterball means having a team who supports you, having the opportunity to grow personally and professionally, and making an impact on the health of others daily.

Whether you choose to work at one of our five (5) manufacturing facilities in NC, AR, MO, farms in AR, NC, and KS, corporate office in NC, IL, or in the field, we believe we have an opportunity for everyone to succeed. At Butterball, we believe in fostering a culture where every team member is valued, has the opportunity to grow professionally and contribute to our success. Join us in our Purpose and apply for an opportunity today! 

Key Responsibilities 

• Organizes and owns the R&D activities of assigned projects to ensure work is properly prioritized and completed in a timely manner to deliver results. 
• Guides new products from conception to commercialization by working with sales, marketing, operation, purchasing and quality assurance. 
• Maintains external and marketplace awareness related to new concepts, products, ingredients, and technologies. 
• Engages team members to communicate and guide technical support for development of new products and technologies. 
• Identifies and recommends new raw materials, ingredients, materials, and processes that improve products and reduce cost. 
• Identifies, tests, and implements new processes and product formulas that lead to new products, cost savings and quality improvements. 
• Serves as the technical resource for problem-solving and support to the operations and QA teams to ensure product excellence and cost efficiency. 
• Acts as a technical expert to the Marketing and Sales teams to service existing customers and help gain new ones. 
• Owns and guides continuous improvement opportunities and solutions directed at improving profitability, product quality, food safety and capital avoidance. 
• Seeks to enhance technical skills through project experience, seminars, professional conferences, and training programs. 
• Provides training and mentorship to junior team members. 

Minimum Qualifications (Educations & Experience)

• Bachelor’s degree in food science/related field or equivalent 
• 5+ years of relevant experience or the knowledge, skills, and abilities to succeed in the role 
• Experience managing moderately complex research and development projects 
• Ample poultry science / poultry processing experience 

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities 

Butterball Core Competencies 

Caring about people, valuing contributions, and empowering to succeed is the Butterball Way. We recognize the value that different perspectives and cultures bring to Butterball and seek to create an environment where everyone can thrive. Everyone has a seat at the table and is expected to embody our core competencies: 

• Safety First: We put safety first. The health, safety, and well-being of our people, products, and turkeys is everyone's responsibility and everyone's jobs. 
• Integrity: We trust each other to do the right thing. We act with integrity and gain the confidence and trust of others through honesty, respect, and authenticity. 
• Stewardship: We take care of what matters. We are accountable to our commitments and take responsibility for the well-being of our teams, our quality, our customers, our business, our brand, and our communities. We are always answerable for our actions and those we lead. 
• Enthusiastic Attitudes: We create a climate where everyone feels they belong and can be engaged, every day. Where our people are enthusiastic and motivated to do their best and work together to make great things happen. 
• Continuous Improvement: We are committed to continuous improvement. We challenge ourselves and our company to constantly learn, develop, grow, improve, and innovate. 

Essential Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Strong oral and written communication, analytical, time-management, and human relation skills 
• Advanced knowledge in food technology, ingredient technology, and food processing 
• Demonstrated ability to use new technology to significantly improve profitability, product quality, food safety and manufacturing complexity issues 
• Strong project management skills 
• Technical/functional depth and proficiency in MS office suite 

Physical Demands 

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee may be regularly required to stand, sit, talk, hear, reach, stoop, kneel, and use hands and fingers to operate a computer, telephone, keyboard, and occasionally lift up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, depth perception, color vision and the ability to adjust focus. 

Working Conditions

• Work will be performed in a variety of conditions including remote work, a climate-controlled office environment(s), and in a manufacturing plant environment with varying conditions, such as cold areas, wet areas, warm areas, chemicals, and other site conditions. This position requires the individual to wear and work in personal protective equipment while in the manufacturing environment. For remote work, the employee must have a dedicated workspace to safely setup and use assigned IT equipment, preferably free from distractions. The employee is responsible for ensuring adequate internet service is available when working remotely (the recommended minimum speed is 20mb download and 5mb upload). 
• The noise level of the office environment is usually moderate; the noise level in the manufacturing environment may exceed 85 DBA and require hearing protection. 
• Required to travel up to 50% of the time. Requires at least 2 days per week in an manufacturing facility, potentially more pending project needs. 

Disclaimer 

We embrace equal opportunity employment. Butterball is committed to the fair and impartial treatment of all employees and applicants for employment without regard to gender, age, race, religion, color, national origin, physical or mental disability, military/veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, genetic information, marital status, parental status, pregnancy, or any other status protected by law.

This position is deemed Safety Sensitive for purposes of Butterball’s Drug/Alcohol Screening & Testing Policy. Details will be provided to individuals who receive a conditional job offer, or upon request.

The statements herein are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees and are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of what is required of personnel so classified. Furthermore, they do not imply or establish a contract for employment and are subject to change at the discretion of the employer.